Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-05-08
For the Freeman.
Precious Stones.
AMBER AND CORAL.
BY DIR. HIRAM A. CUTTING.

Menel; also on the coast of Denmark
Sweden, Norway, Poland and Switzerland
1t occurs imbeaded in clay on the coast o
Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk, in England
also ut some points in Asia.
In the United States it has been found il
greensand, also in Ignite. Its colo
varies from white through the shades o
yellow and that of deep orange. 1t is o
vegetable origin; in fact fossilized gum
of very ancient forest tree. 1t still retain.
the resinous quality, burns with brieh
yellow flame, and gives off very agree
able odor.
That it was once soft, and oozed out
from the tree as transparent wax, is
shown by the numerous insects caught
upon It. the next layer covering them as
in a CLASSY envelope, so their forms are
revealed to us in great perfection, preserv.
ed in this resinous sarcophagi. and they
will remain until the end of time.
One hundred and sxty-three species of
luStILS luOobl1 W uo, CftI rs
fossils in luer formations, are thus reveal
ed in their original form and beauty.
Amber is used in various ways. The
oil of amber and succinic acid, are OBJ
tained from it by distillation. the residue
serving for the manufacture of black
varnish. Amber beads were formerly the
height of fashion in this as we'll as in other
countries, and it is frequently inlaid with
gold and precious stones, and thus forms
the framework of some very elaborate and
high priced jewels. 1t is much used the
world over for the mouth-peces of pipes
and cigar holders, its use first originating
in the east. 1t has ever been and is still
the custom through the eastern country to
have the pipe lit by servant. and amber
is believed to be incapable of conveying
contagion, and to prevent contamination
from the lower castes and thus originating
its use for the pipe through superstition, it
has spread over the whole world; and as
the pipe is well nigh universal, so is the
amber mouth piece, to all who Can afford
the expense.
Many are the traditions of lis origin
and value as charm to protect from evil
1t was well known to the ancients, and
was the first substance known to be cleo
trical; and our name for that subtle fluid
was derived from electron," the ancient
name for this substance. Pliny records
its medicinal uses, and says that beads
made from this substance protect children
who wear them from sorcery and witch
craft.
The Greeks believed it the petrified
tears of the sisters of Pbaeton, who, la
menting bis death, were turned into trees
and continually wept this gum.
Though undoubtedly gum, it is often
found in large masses. history says. some
times weighing from fifteen to thirty
pounds; but the largest specimen now
known is in the Royal Museum at Berlin,
and weighs little over fourteen pounds.
The size of the tree yielding such Jumps
of gum can only be imagined, rs the wood
has never been found.
Coral is the production OF the family of
"polypi," u gelatinous m ollusk which Sc
cretes the coral from their food and the
water around them. They form sub
marine forests of leafess branches in many
parts of the globe. In the warmest Sec
tions of the ocean they even extend their
work so us to form islands. and also Sc
riously obstruct navigation.
Coral is found of various colors, through
all the shades of pink and red. as we'll AS
green, brown and yellow, also black and
white. 1t was for many years believed to
be a vegetable, but science has shown it
the secretion of an animal, or rather. an
insect shaped, when expanded, something
like an eight pointed star, notched at each
point, with their mouth in the centre,
though they vary somewhat in different
localities.
Although, as said above, coral is found
IN all the warmer parts of the globe, yet
the coral adapted for purposes of orna.
menL comes almost entirely from the Med
lterranean, and even in that sea is almost
all on the African coast These beds lie |
at the depth of seven or eight hundred
ieet; and IN consequence the fishing for it,
rs 10 Is called is always difficult and te-
uIous operation. 1t is mostly obtained by
nets and iron drags. or dredges. Not
wlthstanding the difficulties attending the
enterprise. more than one hundred and fifty |
vessels are constantly engaged in the work,
ana the annual sale in India alone is over
one million Of dollars The best and most
perfect pieces when small, so as to be used
only as beads, bring from four to six hun
dred dollars per ounce, and i'm casiona
drop or small piece, weighing no more
than one, eighth to one-fourth of an ounce,
will sell for from one hundred to two hun
dred dollars.
HE dark red, once SO valuable, Is not
now worth near as much rs the paler
tlnts, and pale pink is the most valuable
OF all. The worm eaten and the dark red
is mostly sold in the east, where it so we'll
harmonzes with the olive skin of the In
dian girls. 1t is also in high value with
the Spanish, while the paler varieties are
worn in Europe and the United States.
This gem is often initiated, yet most of
the limitations are worthless and awkward
affairs, as compared with the close and
beautiful texture of the real gem.
Coral is to great extent drilled and
cut into beads which are strung in chains
or made into necklaces of various designs,
which sell in open market from twenty
hVe dollars to several hundred dollars
each.
In the east the dead arc often encircled
with chain of coral, to prevent the evil
spirits from taking possession OF the