from
the marls of North Carolina, some of the coal-beds of Wyoming, and in
connection with lignite in Alaska. In the latter region the natives are
said to carve it into rude beads.
Amber
occurs in small quantities in several countries of Europe, such as near
Basel, in Switzerland; near Paris, in France; and near London, in
England. It is also found in many parts of Asia, these localities being
a source of supply to the Asiatic countries, such as China and India.
Occasionally amber is obtained from Mexico which has the beautiful
fluorescence of the Sicilian article, though the exact locality whence
it comes is not known. Specimens of carved amber are found among the
relics of the Aztecs, and it is probable that they used it for incense.
The early use of amber by European peoples has already been referred
to. There are references to it in the most ancient literature, and
worked masses of it are found among human relics of the greatest
antiquity. Up to comparatively modern times it was an important article
of commerce among widely scattered peoples, and had much to do with
bringing about communication between them. Together with tin it was one
of the chief objects which led the Romans to penetrate the Gallic
regions to the west and north of the Mediterranean, and Pliny says
that " it had been so highly valued as an object of luxury that a very
diminutive human effigy made of amber had been known to sell at a
higher price than living men, even in stout and vigorous health." One
of the most elaborate of the Greek myths is that which accounts for the
origin of amber. It runs in this wise: Phaethon, undertaking to drive
the chariot of his sun-god father, Helios, lost control of his steeds,
and approaching too near the earth set it on fire. Jupiter to stop him
launched a thunder-bolt at Phaethon, and he fell dead into the
Eridanus. His sisters lamenting his death were changed into poplars,
and their tears became amber. According to another legend amber is the
tears of the birds Meleagrid* who weep for their brother Meleager.
Moore refers to this legend in
his lines:
"Around thee shall glisten the loveliest amber That ever the sorrowing sea-bird hath wept."
In
the Odyssey one of Penelope's admirers gives her an amber necklace, and
Martial compares the fragrance of amber to the fragrance of a kiss.
Milton writes of amber, and Shakespeare mentions it both in "Love's
Labor Lost" and "The Taming of the Shrew."
Necklaces of amber are popular wedding presents among the peasants of Prussia.
The properties assigned to amber, both as a charm and as a medicine,
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