This is a hard, white, elastic, fine-grained substance obtained from the tusks of the elephant, walrus, sperm whale and hippopotamus, this last variety being the best.
The colour of ivory ranges from white to yellowish white, to brownish white, the commonest shade being pale cream.
Ivory can be distinguished from bone by virtue of the fine tubules running through it with a spiral course which indicate the growth of the tooth. These are not present in bone.
Ivory comes from Africa and Asia.
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