AMBER. 163 
ing amber ; and so much of it was at length obtained, 
that it was used for ornamenting the nets and cordage 
employed in the theatres for preventing the wild ani- 
mals from approaching the populace there assembled. 
It was likewise used to ornament the armour, the biers, 
and funeral apparatus of such persons as were killed. 
Amber is now chiefly in request by Greek and Ar- 
menian merchants, but it is uncertain where they dis- 
pose of it. Some persons conjecture that it is purchased 
by pilgrims previously to their journey to Mecca ; and 
that, on their arrival in that place, they burn it in ho- 
nour of Mahomet. 
The kind most in esteem is of a bright golden yellow 
colour. This is occasionally manufactured into snuff- 
boxes, small vases, necklaces, bracelets, cane-heads, 
and other ornamental articles, many of which are pur- 
chased by the Turks, Russians, and Poles ; but the 
general demand for them has of late very much de- 
creased. Some years ago the German artists paid great 
attention to this substance ; and many experiments 
were made for the purpose of discovering means of re- 
moving its defects, and improving its beauty. It is said 
that they possessed the art of liquefying it to such a 
degree, that it could be run into moulds without injur- 
ing its beauty ; and that specimens of this liquefied 
amber are preserved in the Electoral Cabinet at Dres- 
den. There are still considerable manufactories of 
amber at Stolpen, Konigsberg, Dantzic, and Lubeck. 
Amber, when wrought into ornaments, is first split 
on a leaden plate, and then turned on a particular kind 
of whetstone. The polishing of it is performed with 
chalk and water, or chalk and oil; and the work is 
finished by rubbing the whole with clean flannel. With- 
out great attention it becomes very hot, and either flies 
into pieces, or takes fire during the operation. 
After having been roasted or melted, amber is readily 
soluble in oil, and, in this state, constitutes the basis 
of several kinds of varnish. It was formerly much used 
in medicine, but, in this respect, it is now almost wholly 
