The Natural History of Pliny, Volume 6 (of 6) by the Elder Pliny

[1615] “Seplasiæ.” The druggists dwelling in the Seplasia. See B. xxxiii. c. 58. [1616] In Chapters 22 and 23, as applied to Cadmia and Cyprian copper, respectively.—B. [1617] “Ærugo.” The researches of modern chemists have ascertained the composition of verdigris to be a diacetete of copper; the sesquibasic acetate and the triacetate are also to be considered as varieties of this substance; we have an exact analysis of these salts in the “Elements” of the late Dr. Turner, the Sixth Edition, edited by Professor Liebig and Mr. W. Turner, pp. 931, 2. Most of the processes described in this Chapter are mentioned by Dioscorides.—B. See also Beckmann, Hist. Inv. Vol. I. p. 171, _et seq._, _Bohn’s Edition_. [1618] According to Brotero, this is the process generally adopted in France, in preference to the employment of vinegar in a pure state.—B. [1619] The form of copper which was termed “coronarium” has been already described in Chapter 22.—B. [1620] “Atramento sutorio.” “Shoemakers’ black.” See Chapters 27 and 32 of this Book. [1621] Until it assumes an ashy colour, Dioscorides says.—B. [1622] See B. xii. cc. 30, 32. [1623] According to Celsus, this substance obtained its name from the person who invented or compounded it; he calls it “Collyrium of Hierax.”—B. [1624] “Atramenti sutorii, quod chalcanthum vocant.” We may presume that this substance was somewhat different from the “atramentum sutorium” mentioned in the last Chapter: the word “chalcanthum” means “flower of copper;” χαλκοῦ ἄνθος.—B. Delafosse identities it with blue vitriol, sulphate, or hydro-trisulphate of copper. See