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408 RESIN FAMILY. by absorption of oxygen ; and it has also been alleged tq be inspissated mineral oil. 5. Phe pitch-eoal sometimes found along with it, is by the amber-diggers named Black Amber, and is sold at q great price. 6. 1 his mineral is sometimes named Succimm, from the word succus, it having been conceived that amber was an inspissated juice. Thus, Pliny remarks, “ Ar- boris succum esse prisci nostri credidere, ob id succinum appellantes It was also by Pliny, and other ancient writers, named Electrum, from its resemblance in colour to the metallic alloy of the ancients, which consisted of gold and silver, and was called by the same name; or from 'hasxt« ? , one of the names of the sun *. 7. hen one part of the empyreumatic oil obtained by distilling mineral pitch, is boiled several times with one and a half parts of turpentine, a compound is formed, which bears a great resemblance to amber, and which is frequently cut into necklaces, and other ornaments, and sold as true amber. 2. Honeystone. * P!in. Hist Nat. t. vi. p. 266. ed. Brot. t Kid’s Mineralogy, vol. ii. p. 36. *
