This section is from the book "The Home Cyclopedia Of General Information", by Charles Morris. Also available from Amazon: Home Cyclopedia of Necessary Knowledge.
A hard, yellow, translucent resin, found as a fossil in beds of lignite, in alluvial soils, and on sea-coasts, especially the Prussian coast of the Baltic. It takes a fine polish, and is much used for making ornaments, such as necklaces, earrings, pendants, and beads; for the mouth-pieces of pipes and cigar-holders, and for burning for perfume. It is also used as a basis for a fine varnish. By friction it becomes strongly electric.
 
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