Ammoniacum. no smell. Sal-ammoniac is extensively employed in the arts. It is used in preparing aqua regia; in soldering some of the metals; in tinning iron and copper; in the preparing of dyes; also in various chemical manufactures. It is exported in considerable quantities to Russia and other parts of the Continent, and to the United States.-Waterson. AMMONIACUM [Ger. Du. Da. and Sw. Ammoniack, Fr. Gomme Ammoniaque, It. Gomma Armoniace, Sp. Goma Armoniaca), or AMMONIAC, a concrete, gummy, resinous juice, brought from India, usually in large masses, composed of lumps or tears, of a yellowish-white colour. Specific gravity 1207. The plant producing it grows in Abyssinia and Persia. Ammonia has a nauseous sweet taste, followed by a bitter one, and a smell resembling that of galbanum, but more grateful. AMOMI SEED [Ger. Amömlein, Du. Amomizaad, Da. Amomfrö, Sw. Amomfro, Fr. Amomes, It. Amomo, Sp. Amomo, Port. Amomo]. These are brown grains brought from the East Indies, of a hot, aromatic smell and taste, somewhat resembling that of cinnamon, cloves, and pepper. They are of the size of a chick pea, and grow on a tree which has a red, odoriferous wood, and bears a kind of berry or pod resembling grapes. These berries contain the seed, which ought to be light-coloured, heavy, and well filled. If the berries are light, with black seeds and shrivelled, they are worthless. AMOY is one of the open ports in China. Population. About 250,000. Principal Exports. Tea, sugar, nankeens, tobacco, imitation and real gold leaf, vermicelli. Principal Imports. Opium, cotton, cotton goods, metals, beans and peas, bean cake, rice, &c. (See Chinese Treaty Ports.) AMPHORA, the largest liquid measure used formerly at Venice, containing four bigorzas, COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE 1866. Amsterdam. each bigorza being four quarts, or an English gallon. AMPLIATION signifies the duplicate which is taken or given of a receipt, an acquittance, or an account, or the like. Thus it may be said, to sign a copy by ampliation, which is to sign a duplicate therefore. AMSTERDAM, the metropolis of the Netherlands, formerly called the "Venice of the North," is situated at the confluence of the Amstel with the Y in N. Holland. Lat. 52° 22' N. Lon. 4° 53′ S. Pop. 270,000. This city is one of the leading centres of trade in Europe. The improvements carried out in late years in the erection of public buildings, in opening up new streets, and in widening old thoroughfares, have given to it quite a modern aspect. Its harbour is commodious and secure, and there is sufficient depth of water in the ship canal between the city and the Helder to admit large vessels to the quay sides, where cargo is discharged. At present there are new works in progress, which will increase the accommodation offered to shipping: and these are a large basin with locks accessible from the North Sea ship canal-a deep and wide passage also in course of construction-a new breakwater, embracing an area of 200 acres, and a dam and lock at the entrance to the bar. The three sections of this important work are to be completed in 1876. Industries. Although possessing numerous manufactures, Amsterdam is more distinguished for its trade. Woollen and cotton fabrics of various kinds are wrought and dyed here. There are sugar refineries, metal foundries, chemical works, and lace, velvet, damask, stuff, galloon, and carpet manufactures. Import Trade. All kinds of European, Asiatic, and American produce. The following are the leading articles : Coffee. East Indian and Brazilian. IMPORTS OF COFFEE IN 1866-1869. 1867. Bags. Casks. Bags. Casks. 1868. 1869. Bags. Casks. Bags. Casks. 719,163 883,530 239,228 1,316 207,293 1,273 246,751 1,374 201,819 1,038 55 26,630 390 52,375 374 13,395 1,018,270 149 20,404 1,092,444 1,465 1,245,967 1,328 1,156,911 1,764 973,357 1,816 STATEMENT OF THE STOCK ON HAND ON THE 31st DECEMBER 1866-1869. Amsterdam. Tea. Ordinary China and Java Congo. The importations are made direct. The business done in China tea with England is inconsiderable. The imports during the 5 years from 1865 to 1869, inclusive, were : Sugar is imported from Java, Surinam, Cuba, and Brazil, as well as beetroot sugar from Belgium and Bohemia, and is partly consumed in the country, and partly re-exported to Prussia, Sweden, Belgium, and France. STATEMENT OF THE IMPORTS OF RAW AND THE EXPorts of Raw and Refined Sugar DURING FIVE YEARS 1865-1869. 115,300,000 116,300,000 108,200,000 128,800,000 118,700,000 27,580,000 15,170,000 16,520,000 23,437,000 35,841,000 74,913,800 82,320,200 77,989,200 85,254,500 92,782,500 The Netherlands pound is equivalent to 2 lb. 3 oz. avoirdupois. Statement of the Qualities AND QUANTITIES of Refined Sugar ExportED FROM 1865 to 1869. Tobacco, as may be seen from the following comparative statement, is an important ite in the receipts: COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE IMPORTS OF THE VARIOUS KINDS OF TOBACCO Amsterdam. Cotton. The trade at this port is very large. The quantities and qualities imported during five years, 1865-69, were as follows: Totals 35 8,094 6,617 3,037 3,845 5,598 17,378 13,015 12,514 |12,321 | 17,129 831 795 75 7,38 3 10,399 295 63 139 269 34 464 534 50 ::: 119 ::::: Amsterdam. Shipping. Besides an extensive trade carried on by sailing vessels, there is a large steam traffic between this port and foreign countries, the extent of which may be seen from the following returns : COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF THE DEPARTURES OF NETHERLANDS AND FOREIGN STEAMERS FROM AMSTERDAM DURING THE YEARS 1865-69, AND SHOWING THE PORTS WHITHER THEY WERE Bound. Great Britain 126 42,411 126 Prussia 51 16,990 Hamburg 69 20,794 France 16 4,741 42,411 16,990 20,794 Mediterranean 11 6,557 II 6,557 18 Russia II 2,890 419 8 3,071 Denmark Bremen Mecklenburg.. Italy Belgium I 556 Egypt.. 4,741 18 5,170 10,924 3H ·3 682 141 49,816 143 55 18,317 3 1,551 58 63 20,414 I 735 64 21,149 18 5,170 13,192 253 |