AMBER
Is a fossilized vegetable resin, called, in mineralogy, succinite. Ancient name, " elektron."
It
is found on the Baltic, Adriatic, and Sicilian coasts; in France,
China, India, and the United States; also associated with lignite or
brown-coal. It also exists in Alaska.
It is amorphous, occurring as nodules, non-crystalline, brittle.
Lustre resinous; transparent to translucent.
Electric by friction. The Greeks first observed electrical phenomena in connection with this substance.
It is composed of carbon, 79; hydrogen, 10.5; oxygen 10.5.
Hardness, 2 to 2.5; specific gravity, 1.05 to 1.10, or about the same as sea-water or a trifle heavier.
It
burns with a yellow flame and aromatic odor. It also gives off this
odor after strong friction without becoming sticky like other resins.
Color, yellow in all shades, tending to white and red, or brown and black; green and blue rarely.
Sicilian amber is opalescent, the tints differing as it is seen by transmitted or reflected light.
It
is of value to scientists, as it often carries within it perfectly
preserved fossils of the oligocene age of the Tertiary period, moss,
seeds, stones, leaves, insects, etc.
Amber
was highly esteemed by the ancients. The Turks believe their amber
mouth-pieces prevent inhalation of pestilence. Many persons in Europe
and the United States ascribe to it medical properties beneficial
especially to the throat.
