  We have measured the mechanical dissipation in a sample of fused silica drawn
into a rod. The sample was hung from a multiple-bob suspension, which isolated
it from rubbing against its support, from recoil in the support structure, and
from seismic noise. The quality factor, Q, was measured for several modes with
a high value of 57 million found for mode number 2 at 726 Hz. This result is
about a factor 2 higher than previous room temperature measurements. The
measured Q was strongly dependent on handling, with a pristine flame-polished
surface yielding a Q 3-4 times higher than a surface which had been knocked
several times against a copper tube.
