without fading in the least, aud very little common ink can have so much said in its favour ; it is true 

 that, freshly used, it is not as rich in hue as that chemically composed, but then it is perfectly indelible ; 

 neither acids nor damp affect it. To keep it for use it should be placed in a glazed earthen or glass vessel 

 on a gentle stove till the moisture is totally evaporated ; when wanted, the powder may be mixed up with 

 sufficient water, in which a very small quantity of gum has been dissolved, to bring it to a proper con- 

 sistence. We venture to suggest that this product of A. atramentarius is worthy the consideration of a 

 practical chemist. As marking-ink it might be useful, superseding the destructive preparations from lunar 

 caustic, which in process of time represent the initials by a destruction of the threads instead of writing. 

 The Chinese mark their linen with an ivory stamp dipped in Indian ink, wliich is now known to be merely 

 a preparation of Sepia, vrith a little musk and gum ; and our colourmen's Sepia, as well as theirs, stains 

 indelibly, as any unlucky experiment with a cambric handkerchief in wiping out portions of a drawing exe- 

 cuted in these inks wiU prove ; — we can scarcely say, satisfactorily. The Chinese have found this animal 

 matter. Sepia, useless for cliina painting, as the heat of the furnace destroys it entirely : we fear the vege- 

 table ink of A. atramentarius would likewise disappear in baking, but where dry heat is not in question it 

 might imdoubtedly be rendered useful. 



In some seasons, this Agaric is very abundant in kitchen-gardens and on banks by road-sides. While 

 young it is not devoid of beauty : the pUeus near the margin is regularly marked with very fine longitudinal 

 lines, formed by the backs of the gills beneath ; the giUs are extremely fine and regular, and prettily 

 mottled by the ripening spores. 'No mistake can be made between A. atramentaritis and its taU wigged 

 brother A. comatus, which is at fii'st white and shaggy, rapidly deliquescing, aud ultimately with a few 

 jagged fragments remaining at the apex of the stem, like the remains of an extinct Catharine-wheel. 



