1832.] On Chinese Vermilion. 153 



Sometimes the mercury is treated afresh, to be converted into ver- 

 milion, whi< h is then called Intchou, that is to say red of quicksilver. 

 A retort of porcelain, or a double vessel of metal, are employed in- 

 differently for this purpose : to one pound of mercury two pounds 

 of sulphur are added; the mixture is triturated until it forms a blackish 

 powder : it is then put into the crucible, which is covered with an 

 iron cover, held down by a bar of iron laid across the top of 

 it, and tied down on either side to the lower vessel by means of 

 a loop of brass wire made fast round the latter. All the openings are 

 then carefully closed with lute, and the pot is set upon an iron tri- 

 pod, under which a fire of resinous faggots is maintained for a consi- 

 derable time ; whilst the cover is kept cool with an old swab soaked 

 in water. The mercury then combines with the sulphur, and sub- 

 limes in a very fine powder, which adheres to the sides of the vessel. 

 The cinnabar which fixes on the inside of the cover is of the bright- 

 est colour. When the vessel is quite cold, the vermilion is taken out. 

 The excess of sulphur is found precipitated to the bottom, and may 

 be employed a second time. One pound of mercury gives 14 ounces 

 of cinnabar of the first quality, and 3| oz. of the second quality. 



The cinnabar obtained by the action of fire, and that from the pulveriz- 

 ed native ore, have exactly the same appearance ; nevertheless the former 

 is never used in painting the houses of princes and persons of distinction : 

 the only sort employed for this purpose being the pure pulverized 

 mineral from Thoung chin and Pe-tchouan. 



When intended to be used in writing, the vermilion is ground up 

 with gum and made into small cakes. Rubbed upon a stone palate 

 (encrier,) it presents a red of the richest brilliancy : if pounded on a tin 

 slab, it forms a black colour, and is then fit for the varnishers, and 

 gives to objects a glistening tint which enhances their price. 

 Mixed with the oil of the Thoung tree, it assumes a very bright appear- 

 ance: but if varnish be added to this, it loses its brilliancy and be- 

 comes of a deep black colour. 



Thus we have described faithfully all that concerns the preparation 

 of native and artificial cinnabar, as well as that of mercury. All 

 that has been said about the sea of cinnabar and the vegetable china- 

 bar rests on no foundation whatever : they are mere reveries fit to 

 amuse the credulous and lovers of the marvellous. 



When mercury has been converted into vermilion, it has no longer 

 the power to return to its original state, because it has then arrived 

 at what may be called the final limit of transformation. 



x 



