122 Pliny's natueal history. [Book XXXIII. 



from hardly any other quarter but Spain ; that of most note 

 coming from Sisapo,^^ a territory of Eaetica, the mine of mi- 

 nium there forming a part of the revenues of the Eoman 

 people. Indeed tliere is nothing guarded with a more constant 

 circumspection ; for it is not allowable to reduce and refine 

 the ore upon the spot, it being brought to Rome in a crude 

 state and under seal, to the amount of about two thousand 

 pounds per annum. At Rome, the process of washing is per- 

 formed, and, in the sale of it, the price is regulated by statute ; 

 it not being allowed to exceed®^ seventy sesterces per pound. 

 There are numerous ways, however, of adulterating it, a source 

 of considerable plunder to the company.^^ 



For there is, in fact, another kind^^ of minium, found in most 

 silver-mines as well as lead-mines, and prepared by the calcina- 

 tion of certain stones that are found mixed with the metallic 

 vein — not the minerals, however, to the fluid humours of 

 which we have given"^'' the name of quicksilver ; for if those are 

 subjected to the action of fire they will yield silver — but another 

 kind of stone'' that is found wath them. These barren" stones, 

 too, may be recognized by their uniform leaden colour, and it 

 is only when in the furnace that they turn red. After being 

 duly calcined they are pulverized, and thus form a minium of 

 second-rate quality, known to but very few, and far inferior 

 to the produce of the native sand that we have mentioned." 

 It is with this substance, then, as also with syricum, that 

 the genuine minium is adulterated in the manufactories of the 

 company. How syricum is prepared we shall describe in the 

 appropriate place. '^ One motive, however, for giving an under- 

 coat of syricum to minium, is the evident saving of expense 

 that results therefrom. Minium, too, in another way affords a 

 very convenient opportunity to painters for pilfering, by wash- 

 es See B. iii. c. 3, Vol. I. p. 163. He alludes to the district of Almaden, 

 in Andalusia, still famous for its quicksilver mines. 



67 "When sold by the "pnblicani," or farmers of the revenue. 



68 Of the publicani, 



69 Red oxide of lead, a much inferior pigment to cinnabar, or the minium 

 of Chapter 36. "o In Chapter 32 of this Book. 



71 Dana informs us that minium is usually associated with galena and 

 with calamine. Syst. Mineral, p. 495. 



■^2 " Steriles." Barren of silver, probably ; though Hardouin thinks 

 that it means " barren of lead." Holland renders it " barraine and void 

 of the right vermilion." " In Chapter 37. ''^ B. xxxv. c. 24. 



