CHINA. 1751. 245 



Quick-silver is tried by fqueezing it 

 through fharnoy, or any thin leather: and 

 if the quick-filver is good it will leave no- 

 thing at all behind. Another way of trying 

 it is, to evaporate fome in a fpoon over the 

 fire: if it leaves a fpot behind, it is looked 

 upon as impure and adulterated. 



Cinnabar is looked upon as not pure when 

 it is in cakes, or ground. The bell mutt be 

 clean, of a fhivery compaft texture, of a film- 

 ing crimfon colour, very heavy, and in large 

 lumps, of two or three inches thicknefs. It 

 generally bears the fame price as quick-filver. 



Indian ink. The befl comes from Nan* 

 king. 



Musk comes from Tonkin in bladders. The 

 true raulk burns with a flame when fet on fire, 

 which it does not when it is adulterated with 

 goat's blood. Du Halde relates, that a Chinefe 

 who has mufk about him may lleep in the 

 fields without any fear of fnakes. 



Putcb, and of late the Englijb have obtained the method, 

 which is ftill a fecret in kw hands. 



K 3 Sugar 



