The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1891-05-23
ABOUT AMBER,
~ Was Used for Ornamental Purposes in tn,
Tlme of Moro.

~ Was Used for Ornamental Purposes In the
Time of Nero.
Amber, the most ancient of all gems
for the purpose Of adornmcnt, and
known from its attractive qualities by
tile name of e,ec!roa TO the Greeks (hence
electricity, is without doubt a fossil
gum, or n juice Of now extinct tree OF
the primeval period, belonging to the
pine-genus. It's stated that the Phuni-
clans sailed TO the Baltic for the sole
purpose of procuring amber there and
that they must have obtained enor-
nous quantities is proved by the vases,
cups, spindles and other articles of un-
known use, found in every metropolis
of the very ancient Pelasgic cities of
Italy, by Casteilain and other explorers.
From the earliest times it has been used
as an amulet, and taken internally as a
panacea against asthma, dropsy, tooth
ache and q multitude of other diseases
That necklace of amber beads has
frequently relieved a sore throat, seems
to be established beyond question, pos
sibly owing to its electrical qualities
The Shah of Persia wears round his
neck cube of amber, reported to have
fallen from heaven in the time of Ma
homet, and which has the power Of rem
dcring him invulnerablc. The Persians
to this day grind up amber with honey
and roe-oil, as a specific against deaf
ness; their children wear it as an anu
let, and adults as potent charm against
insanity.
Amber appears to be product of the
islands of the Northern Ocean and from
the numerous insects that have been
found imbedded, some of species now
extinct it must have issued from the
tree in liquid form, and gradually
hardened by the action of cold or heat,
and afterward of the sea. Ants gnats,
and even small lizards, have been found
imbedded in the amber, to which they
must have adhered, when in a liquid
state. The amber most vauled by the
ancients was known as the Falerian,
from its resemblance to the color of
Falerian wine. 1t is perfectly trans
parent. Other kinds are valued for
| their mellowed tints, like the color of
boiled honey. 1t was much priced by
the ancient Etruscans, and was frequent
! ly set with other precious gems; it was
also carved into scarab@i. Homer men
tions a necklace adorned with pieces of
amber presented to Penelope by one of
her suitors. 1t was in high favor with
the Romans in the time of Nero. and
was largely used for ornamental and
decorative purposes. Pliny tells us that
all the weapons and articles used during
the games of the amphitheater. in his
time, were decorated with amber The
largest piece seen in Rome weighed
thirteen pounds, but there is a piece to
be seen in Berlin that weighs eighteen
pounds.
The amiable Nero, in some verses COM
posed by himself in honor of his wife,
describes her as having amber-colored
hair-which carries a suspicion of red
and Pliny adds that this color became
all the rage at the Imperial court and
numerous were the devices TO secure
the fashionable color Amber is found
also in France, England and Sicily, and
in parts of the United States, but not in
large quantities. Mr.. King mentions as
the most precious example of antique
carving in this material group repres-
enting NEUROLOGICAL bearded figure.
half man and half serpent, embracing
Hraped female figure, and that the size of
the amber is six and five-eights by three
and-a-half inches An amber cup, ex-
quisitively carved, was discovered near
Brighton, England, in a tumuli at least
| fifteen hundred years old. d.--Once a Week.