the shore, or in smaller rivers near the sea-coast; and the modes of collecting are threefold:
1.
The amber mines, which are numerous in Prussia, are wrought like other
mines, and explored to a depth of more than one hundred feet. Shafts
are constructed for raising the product from the interior of the mines;
the miners dig until they reach the amber vein, which is generally
found after passing a stratum of sand and a bed of clay of twenty feet
thickness, and another stratum of decomposing trees or lignite, which
may be fifty feet through; they come then to the pits, which the
characteristic color of the soil is the best indication to search for.
2.
The second mode of collecting amber is practised, generally after a
storm, by the fishermen, who either wade into the water, provided with
leather dresses, to their necks, or use small boats, and find at the
depth of three fathoms the floating amber.
3. It is mostly; however, collected in large quantities on the shore, after having been thrown up by severe storms.
The amber fishermen are, by practice, pretty well skilled in finding out the spots where the largest quantities may be obtained.
Amber
from the mines does not essentially differ from that of the sea,
excepting that the former is rather more brittle, and is often covered
with an earthy crust.
The
amber is assorted before it comes into the hands of the lapidary or
merchant, and according to size and clearness of color, it receives
different technical names. Thus, there are—
1. The exquisite specimens,
which are perfectly pure, transparent, and compact, weighing from five
to six ounces or more; these are employed in larger ornaments and
specimens of the arts, and bring the highest price.
2. The ton stones, which weigh from a quarter of an
