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diffused through it, is of a deepish yellow, just such as would be 
conceived from the term amber-yellow, being tinged also in different 
parts with a brownish red. Its degree of softness is such, that it 
yields to the slightest pressure, recovering itself, however, on the 
removal of the pressure, with such a degree of elasticity, as un- 
doubtedly authorizes the placing it among the elastic bitumens. 
The elastic bitumens, as we learn by the valuable observations of 
Mr. Hatchett, may, by being melted, be deprived of their elasticity, 
and thus might the specimen, here alluded to, be reduced to the 
more common state of bitumens ; and, probably, by a well-managed 
inspissation, might be made to assume a solid form, without its trans- 
parency or colour being at all thereby impaired. In this state, it 
would probably become attractive by friction ; which property, taken 
in conjunction with its colour and transparency, would necessarily 
render its resemblance to amber very close. 
By what has been here said, I do not intend to imply that such a 
substance would be actually amber ; since, perhaps, the formation 
of amber may depend on peculiar circumstances attendant on its 
inspissation ; and most particularly on some peculiar modification of 
the oxygen contained in the bitumen from which it may proceed. 
Within these few years a substance has been found among the 
bituminous wood of Thuringia, which has been named, from its 
colour, HONEY-STONE (honigstein) by Mr. Werner, and mellite 
by other naturalists. It is of rather a dark honey colour, and, from 
it resembling amber also in colour, it has been thought to be that 
substance in another form. It is usually crystallized in small octa- 
hedra, the angles of which are frequently truncated, and sometimes 
curvilinearly. Sometimes its crystals are dodecahedral, and ap- 
proaching to the rhomboidal. Its hardness is such as yields easily to 
the knife, its transparency considerable, its fracture conchoidal, and 
its specific gravity 1.666. Like amber, its crystals become electric 
by friction, but not unless previously insulated. It is insoluble in 
