Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-08-30
TaE lyoRyl TR.IApE.

as an article of use and commerce, are per-
hapsnotgenerally understood. Fronts es
sential properties. its indesttuctability and
beautiful appearance, it would be difficult
to end substitute for it nothing being
yet suggested for some of the purposes
for which ivory is used. The most i'm
portant of these is the manufacture of
piano Keys which requires the widest
and most select; as also the making of
balls for Billiards and other games in
which they are required. Next it is used
by turner's in making numberless useful
and ornamental objects; by comb makers
who CONSUME large quantities ; by Phllo-
sophical instrument makers, umbrella mas
kers, &C., and by artists. for whom it pre-
sents the choicest tablets upon which
miniatures can be painted. Surgical in
strument makers employ it for handles
to the instruments with which they de-
prive US of our grinders, and rings upon
which infantile humanity eases the pangs
theirs create in making their progress
through the gums. The best quality is
indicated by the size Of the tusk, and
characterized by its hardness, density,
purity Of color, and translucence, the lat
ter being perceptble by testing Lhinly-
sawed tablet, and holding it between the
eye and strong light. Ii is obtained from
other animals besides the elephant. The
sea.horse yields pair of teeth highly es-
teemed where extreme hardness is requlr-
ed the out side of them being covered
with an enamel so exceedingly flinty as
to strike fire as readily as steel, when
stricken against flint. Before being
worked, however, this external surface
must be. moved by immersion in strong
acid, after which it yields to the tool
edge, although even then it is difficult to
work. Before the invention of mineral
teeth the toOLhless were indebted TO this
animal for his means of mastication and !;
had not chemical science revealed the
superiority of porcelain, it would proba-
bly, have still been the favorite material
We we're shown, by an importer of the
article, lot of sca-horsc tusks, mcasur
ing nearly two and half feet in length,
consisting of ivory Of tho fines; descrip-
ton, and sustaining better polish than
chat of the elephant, though it is not SO
highly esteemed, in consequence of its
tendency to become furnished. Some
other sea animals yield ivory, among
which arc the walrus, narwhal, &c. The
tusk of an elephant is solid only about
half its length, the remainder is similar to
the horn Of a cow-hollow and compare
lively thin. We saw at Mr.. Pyfe's ware
room in Murray street, tusk about six
inches in diametre, having embedded in
its centre a bullet, the place of its en-
trance being nearly over grown, present
ing the appearance Of having been inser-
ted by the incest art. The tusks weigh
from one to one hundred and eighty pounds
each, according to the animals from
which they are taken, about two thirds OF
which is available for manufacturing pur-
poses. Nine tenths Of all the ivory
brought to the United States comes from
Zanzibar in Africa to the port of Salem
and this is all large-a lot Of 10000 lbs
which we saw, averaging 80 lbs to the
Ausk. 1t has been conjecturcd that event
tually the supply would be stopped on
account of tho extinction Of the animal
but this. we are informed by those con-
versant with the subject is not probable.
large quantities being brought from the
uuexplored interior Of Africa by the na.
tives and sold to traders on the coast, Of
which part is obtained from animals
who have died naturally the elephant be-
ing too large game to be seriously affected
by the weapons ofsavages. The dealer can
readily discern from the appearance ofthe
tusk whether it is taken from a freshly
slain animal or not. Some Of them, bro.
ken and mutilated, give evidence Of
deadly encounters their propri. tors
have had in their native jungles.
while others are gnawed by African
rats probably, for the teeth marks are
large and deep incissionS. The English
traders. owing 10 their superior facilities.
have the monopoly Of the market in In
dia, and in Africa tho choicest articles
can only be obtained from them.
In price it varies from 75o. to ITS
per pound, nett, which arc the ex-
tremes for corresponding qualities.
Within Eve years. owing to its extended
appropriation to purposes of art and luxu.
~, it has increased twenty per cent. in cost,
and great economy is requisite to work up
the scraps and clippings TO advantage. as
its curved form will not admit of straight.
ening, without destroying the texture,
which would be fatal to its usefulness and
beauty. Nothing, however, is permitted
calcincd, and, when ground upon a mar
ment, used by artists to paint Uncle Tom's
requiring particularly jeHy hue. Next
to the Chinese, the Germans excel in
ivory carving and ornamental work.
most of the beautifully embellished UNI
brella and cane knobs being made by
them. These. according to the amount
of work lavished upon them. range in
price from three to ten dollars each.
The most beautiful piece of art we ever
saw was a marine landscape in alto relieve
upon the lid Of small ivory box, and the
conuoisseur who possessed it valued it az