contributed to render it celebrated—that of attracting light bodies when it was rubbed. It is from the Greek name of amber, electron, that our modern term electricity is derived.
To
explain the origin of amber, the Greeks had one of those graceful
traditions-characteristic of the young and marvellous genius of that
people. They said that the sisters of Phaethon, weeping for the death
of their brother, were changed into poplar trees upon the banks of the
Eridanus (Po), and that their tears were transformed into amber.
It is to this legend that the tender and harmonious poet of the Metamorphoses alludes when he says:—
" Stillataque sole rigescunt De ramis electra novis, quae lucidus amnis Excipit et ntiribus mittit gestanda I.atinis."
"The
juices distilling from these new trees, solidified by the sun, are
received by the shining river, and borne as offerings to the brides of
Italy."
Chemical
analysis shows that there are in 100 grammes of amber 81 grammes of
carbon, 7-30 of hydrogen, 675 of oxygen, and^some traces of clay,
alumina, and silica, amounting altogether to about 3 grammes.
This is exactly the composition of resin; indeed amber is itself a resin.
" Amber," said Pliny, " trickles from the pith of
