94 MINERAL RESINS. 



the Baltic coast it is most abundant, especially between 

 Konigsberg and Memel. It is met with at one place in a 

 bed of bituminous coal ; it also occurs on the Adriatic, in 

 Poland, on the Sicilian coast near Catania, in France near 

 Paris in clay, in China. It has been found in the United 

 States, at Gay Head, Martha's Vineyard, Camden, N. J., 

 and at Cape Sable, near the Magothy river, in Maryland. 



It is supposed with good reason to be a vegetable resin, 

 which has undergone some change while inhumed, a part of 

 which is due to acids of sulphur proceeding from decompo- 

 sing pyrites or some other source. It often contains insects, 

 and specimens of this kind are so highly prized as frequently 

 to be imitated for the shops. Some of the insects appear 

 evidently to have struggled after being entangled in the then 

 viscous resin, and occasionally a leg or a wing is found some 

 distance from the body, having been detached in the struggle 

 for escape. 



Amber is the elektron of the Greeks ; from its becoming 

 electric so readily when rubbed, it gave the name electricity 

 to science. It was also called succinum, from the Greek 

 succum, juice, because of its supposed vegetable origin. 



Uses. Amber admits of a good polish and is used {or or- 

 namental purposes, though not very much esteemed, as it is 

 wanting in hardness and brilliancy of luster, and moreover 

 is easily imitated. It is much valued in Turkey for mouth- 

 pieces to their pipes. 



Amber is the basis of an excellent transparent varnish. 

 After burning, there is left a light carbonaceous residue, of 

 which the finest black varnish is made. Amber affords by 

 distillation an oil called oil of amber, and also succinic acid ; 

 and as the preparation of amber varnish requires that the 

 amber be heated or fused, these products are usually obtained 

 at the time. 



■>. 

 mineral caoutchouc. — Elastic Bitumen. 



In soft flexible masses, somewhat resembling caoutchouc 

 or India rubber. Color brownish black ; sometimes orange 

 red by transmitted light. ,Gr=0'9 — 1*25. 



Composition : carbon 85*5, hydrogen 13*3. It burns 

 readily with a yellow flame and bituminous cdor. 



What is said of the origin of amber? What term has k given to 

 science? For what is amber used ? What is mineral caoutchouc ? 



