Linncean Society, 71 



gases : from these but a trifling change ensued, except from the mu- 

 riatic acid gas, which destroyed very considerably the dark tint of 

 the writings. He also placed some small and recent specimens of the 

 Fungus in a solution of corrosive sublimate, which preserved them and 

 prevented any deliquescence : the same effect was produced by alcohol. 



The ink is fully formed and escapes in about three or four days. 

 When received into a phial, in a short time the heavier and blacker 

 matter was found to settle as a sediment ; the lighter brownish amber- 

 coloured fluid surmounts it, and may be poured oflf from it to dry them 

 separately. From a good-sized specimen nearly half an ounce of 

 fluid has been obtained. 



The following chemical experiments among others were made : — 



1 . Two di'achms of the fluid added to ^ 1 of hydrate gave a clear 

 brown transparent solution, to which in separate glasses was added 



2. Nitrate of Silver : no eftect at first, but in a few minutes dark 

 brown flocculi subsided, leaving a transparent fluid above. 



3. Muriate of Barytes : no eff^ect at first, finally a subsidence of 

 dark brown flocculi. 



4. Acetate of Lead. Immediate dark brown flocculi, leaving a 

 clear liquid above. 



5. Carbonate of Potash. Transparency destroyed ; a trifling brown 

 deposit in a few hours. 



6. Alcohol. No apparent change from it. 



7. Solution of Corrosive Sublimate . An apparent diff'usion of brown- 

 ish hue, gradually subsiding in dirty brown flocculi. 



8. Dilute Muriatic Acid. The same, but much smaller in amount. 



10. Lime Water. Light brown flocculi in a few hours. 



11. Liquor Ammonia. No eff'ect. 



12. Succinate of Ammonia. Deep brown deposit in a few hours. 



13. Prussiate of Potash. No eiFect. 



14. Oxalate of Ammonia. Clouds form and settle in a dirty brown 

 sediment. 



From these experiments Dr. Coxe is disposed to think that an ex- 

 cellent India Ink might be prepared for drawing ; perhaps its dried 

 deposit mixed with oil might answer for engravings; and as an ink, 

 indestructible from any common agents, it might be well to try it in 

 the filling up of bank notes and other papers of consequence, as he 

 believes it cannot be extracted by any means without destroying the 

 paper itself. 



The Fungus described, and on which the above experiments were 

 tried, is referred with some hesitation to Agaricus ovatus, Schseff'er, 

 ' Icones Fungorum,' fig. 7. A. cylindricus, fig. 8. A. porcellaneus, 

 fig. 46. and 47. The drawings are named Agaricus ovatus*. 



* The drawings evidently represent Agaricus fimetarius, Linn, and Curtis ; 

 A. comatus, Mull, and Berkelej' ; A. cylindricus, Sowerby ; to which A. cy- 

 lindricus, Schseff. f. 8. and yl. porcellaneus, figs. 4G & 47. belong ; it is not 

 so clear that A. ovatus, fig. 7. (the name adopted by Dr. Coxe) does. In the 

 subgenus named by Berkeley Coprinus every species is deliquescent. Curtis 

 observes, under his A. ovatus, which is A. atramentarius. Bull, and Berk., 

 that the seeds may be seen in the black Uquor if magnified. 



