186 _ Concerning Amber. [ March, 
ing nearly the same atomic ratio as will be seen from the follow- 
ing table : 
Carbon. Hydrogen. Oxygen. 
Amber Cee RO 8 I 
Retinite 12 9 I 
Copal TOt ase Me Fin eA REENA e A eae ee fe) 9 I 
Mastic. . 10 8 I 
a T sc os oo ooo es cee tees wer Seeks acces tees 10 8 I 
Fiehtlite a 8 6 I 
Ambrite... 16 13 I 
The conclusion is that their differences consist in the arrange- 
ment of their molecules and not in their composition or even 
age. 
Amber may be distinguished from the other resins by its hard- 
ness, its lesser brittleness and the much higher temperature re- 
quired to reduce it, and also its greater electric action, but the 
difference is quickly discovered in the attempt to cut and polish, 
as the ordinary resins become in the process so heated and soft- 
ened as in a measure to prevent their use for ornamental pur- 
poses. Copal jewelry is, however, occasionally made, but it soon 
loses its lustre. 
A property of amber not generally known is its flexibility at 
certain temperatures. Formerly when amber required bending 
it was softened by placing it in warm linseed oil, and it could then 
be bent in to a required form. For changing the form of amber 
the method at present used in our extensive manufactory in this 
city, is simply to hold the amber over a lamp and draw it out 
slowly by hand. Although this process is very difficult and slow, 
.the results are marvelous. 
A pipe-stem nineteen inches long has been in this way drawn 
-out of a coil of amber about six by four inches in size or fifteen 
inches in circumference. 
At the same factory can be seen all the process of working am- 
ber which, owing to its low degree of hardness, is wrought with the 
turning lathe after having first been cut with a knife and filed into 
something approaching the form required. It is then polished in 
the lathe or by’hand with pumice stone, whiting and alcohol. — 
The chippings and amber dust left from the cutting are used for 
varish or incense. The Orientals, especially the Chinese, con- 
sider the burning of the odoriferous amber the highest mark of 
respect possible to pay a stranger or distinguished guest, andthe 
_ more they burn the more marked is their expression of esteem. . 
