Inks. Writing inks might be included under the general term of liquid coloring matters, were it not that they require to have the special characteristics of brilliance, permanence, and some degree of indestructibility, combined with perfect fluidity, in order to fulfill the objects for which they are generally used. Printing and lithographic and other inks are also included under this heading.

2461. Black Ink

2461. Black Ink. According to the most accurate experiments on the preparation of black ink, it appears that the quantity of sulphate of iron should not exceed 1/3 part of that of the galls, by which an excess of coloring matter, which is necessary for the durability of the black, is preserved in the liquid. Gum, by shielding the writing from the action of the air, tends to preserve the color, but if much is employed, the ink flows badly from quill pens, and scarcely at all from steel pens. The latter require a very limpid ink. The addition of sugar increases the flowing property of ink, but makes it dry more slowly, and frequently passes into vinegar, when it acts injuriously on the pen. Vinegar, for a like reason, is not. calculated for the fluid ingredient. The best blue galls should alone be employed in making ink. Sumach, logwood, and oak bark, are frequently substituted for galls in the preparation of common ink. When such is the case, only about one-sixth or one-seventh of their weight of copperas should be employed.

2462. To Prevent Ink from Moulding

2462. To Prevent Ink from Moulding. The addition of a few bruised cloves, or a little oil of cloves, or, still better, a few drops of creosote, will effectually prevent any tendency to mouldiness in ink.

2463. Fine Black Ink

2463.    Fine Black Ink. Aleppo galls (well bruised), 4 ounces; clean soft water, 1 quart; macerate in a clean corked bottle for 10 days, or even longer, with frequent agitation; then add 11/4 ounces gum-arabic (dissolved in a wine-glassful of water); lump sugar 1/2 ounce; mix well, and afterwards further add 11/2 ounces sulphate of iron (green copperas) crushed small, agitate occasionally for 2 or 3 days, when the ink may be decanted for use; but it is better if left to digest together for 2 or 3 weeks. When time is an object, the whole of the ingredients may be at once put into a bottle, and the latter agitated daily, until the ink is made; and boiling water instead of cold water may be employed. The above will make 1 quart of beautiful ink, writing pale at first, but soon turning intensely black.

2464. Cooley's Superior Black Ink

2464.     Cooley's Superior Black Ink. Bruised Aleppo nut-galls, 12 pounds ; water, 6 gallons; boil in a copper vessel for 1 hour, adding water to make up for the portion lost by evaporation; strain and again boil, the galls with water, 4 gallons, for i hour, strain off the liquor and boil a third time with water, 21/2 gallons, and strain; mix the several liquors, and while still hot add green copperas (sulphate of iron) coarsely powdered, 4 pounds; gum-arabic bruised small, 31/2 pounds; agitate until dissolved, and, when settled, strain through a hair sieve, and keep it in a bunged-up cask for use. This will produce 12 gallons, very fine and durable.

This ink, and that in No. 2463, are good. Cooley recommends them very highly. He says that they are very durable and limpid, and will bear dilution with nearly an equal bulk of water, and still be superior in quality to ordinary inks. Of the latter ink he says that he has writing that was executed with this kind of ink upwards of 60 years ago, which still possesses a good color.