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more homogeneous in colour and texture than African ; the 
latter frequently exhibits in the same tusk pale yellow and 
white disposed in alternate circles round the centre, whilst 
the former is of a chalky whiteness throughout. This 
homogeneity of colour and texture is all the superiority that 
Indian ivory possesses over African, and even this character 
is not durable, but in a short period it changes to a dirty 
ochry colour ; whilst articles made from African ivory (if 
they do not contain any of the outside or bark) improve in 
whiteness by lapse of time. 
I alluded, a short time since, to another variety of ivory, 
of which nothing certain is known as to the locality whence 
it is derived ; it bears the appellation of Egyptian ivory, from 
no other cause, that I am aware of, except that it is imported 
from that country ; and as Egypt itself produces no ivory, it is 
very probable that it is floated down the Nile from Abyssinia 
or some of the neighbouring countries. It is, in fact, the 
production of the eastern part of the African continent, and 
presents a greater contrast from ivory the production of the 
western part of Africa, than even from that of Hindoostan, 
and has some peculiarities of each. It has the same 
opacity as the Indian ivory, but is considerably harder, and 
has a slight metallic sound when struck; yet its specific 
gravity is less than the Indian. It is only within the last 
two years that this variety of ivory has appeared in the 
market. The price of it has been about 15 to 20 per cent, 
lower than Indian ivory. But it is made full dearer than 
the latter by the greater amount of waste occasioned by 
a multitude of minute cracks, which cannot be seen until it 
is polished. Whether its superior hardness is a quality 
inherent in itself, or whether it is occasioned by dessica- 
tion, I am unable to say. From the defects here stated, 
it is highly probable it will not be in great demand, unless 
its greater cheapness should induce tradesmen to speculate. 
