Hawksbill Turtle Shell (玳瑁) (A translucent substance with a dark brown hue)
【Name Origin】
【Source】
Kai Bao (開寶)
【Frequency of Use】
F
【Botanical Source】
Derived from the scutes (甲片) of the hawksbill sea turtle, Eretmochelys imbricata (Linnaeus)
【Characteristics】
The scutes (甲) are nearly circular, triangular, or polygonal plates, 10-20cm long and 1.5-3mm thick, thinner at the edges and slightly thicker in the center. The surface is a translucent dark brown with dark brown and milky yellow patterns, smooth and glossy, with cloud-like beautiful markings; when viewed under light, it has dense, transparent fine spots. The inner surface is densely covered with white stripes or spots, and has crisscrossing grooves. It is tough, not easily broken, and has a horny fracture surface. Odorless and tasteless.
【Identification】
The best quality has thick and large pieces, obvious patterns, is translucent, and bubbles when burned, but does not catch fire.
【Section】
Vertebrates