Ivory is wrought with saws, files, and various edge tools: the former must be narrow in the plate, and frequently moistened with water, to make them operate freely. Some artists are prejudiced against oil, from conceiving that it yellows the ivory ; but if it is immediately to be reduced, oil can have no effect, as it does not pellet' ate the sub stance. It is affirmed, that the most delicate sawing should be performed under water ; but this cannot be a universal rule, as we have observed that the simple contact of that element makes it warp, if thin. Ivory is polished with pumice stone and t•ipoli. It takes a very high polish with chaik and water, or oil, applied with a piece of leather, and afterwards rubbed hard with the latter substance when dry. The finest ivory is susceptible of the highest polish ; and the artist never should forget, that nothing conduces so much to the beauty of his work as the polish of the ma terials. There is so great a difference in the quality of ivory, however, that pieces may be seen which scarcely can be recognized fur the same substance.
Iii the rough state, ivory is a very considerable article of commerce, both in Asia and Africa. Many African tribes deal in it to a great extent, particularly those dwell ing on what is called, by Europeans, the Ivory Coast. It is not explained how the whole quantity required issup plied ; but we know that elephants are hunted for the sake of their tusks exclusively ; and, probably, the rest arc found in the woods where they die, or are destroyed by their natural enemies. Ivory is scarcer at present than it was in the course of the preceding century, either from the interruption of the commercial relations of several European nations with the Asiatic and African continents, or the greater devastation committed among the animals producing it. We have no data for computing the annual consumption, though it certainly is such as to excite our astonishment at the number of elephants that must perish, and the vast extent of country through which such herds must range in seeking subsistence. The largest importa
tion into Britain, with which we are acquainted, was at the rate of 1576 cwt. annually, during the years from 1788 to 1799. This is much more than what was wont to be car ried to France, where, in 1784, there were imported to Nantz and Bordeaux, 1179 tusks, besides 8164 pounds of ivory. Probably the smaller teeth, under a certain weight, are not denominated tusks ; whence the distinction arises between tusks and ivory. Supposing that the ivory con sisted of tusks, each weighing 40 pounds, there must have been 3940 tusks imported annually into Britain. There fore, to supply Britain for a single year, at least 1970 ele phants must have been destroyed. But that must be infe rior to the real number ; for it is not likely that the tusks weighed 40 pounds each. Labat estimated the quantity imported into France, at 50,000 pounds yearly. Thus, if the quantity consumed in Europe be joined to that of the eastern nations, by all of which ivory is used for various purposes, it will appear quite incredible how the race of elephants is not extirpated. The value of ivory is much increased of late years. At present, 1818, the retail price of the finer parts is eight saillings a pound in Edinburgh.
The following Table shewa the quantities of elephants' tusks sold at the East India Company's sales, for five years, from 1804 to 1808, inclusive : The importation of elephants' teeth into Great Britain, for twelve years, from 1788 to 179), inclusive, was 18,914 cwt. or at the rate of cwt. annually.
See Philosophical Transactions. vol. xii. p. p. 124. for 1799, part i. p. 205. ..innales du Museum d'His toire Xaturelle, vol. viii. p 113. Bosman's Description of the Coast of Guinea, p. 244. Camper, Oeuvres. Thun berg's Travels. Heyne, Super ireterum ebone, eburneisque signis ap. nov. Comment. Societ. Gottingen, tom 1 ; and Milburt,e'a Oriental Commerce. vol. i. p. 63. (e) IVORY" C0.1sT. See GUINEA.