Indian Ink

Indian Ink, or Chinese Ink, appears to have been in use among the Chinese since the year 250 B.C., while other kinds of ink date from a still earlier period. It is made from lampblack held together by some medium, usually animal glue, The lampblack is obtained by burning resinous matter, or, in case of better qualities, oil of sesamum. The soot, consisting almost entirely of animal charcoal, is collected and thoroughly mixed up with a still liquid glue, and then placed in wooden moulds to harden and dry. Camphor and various perfumes are occasionally added to scent the ink or improve its colour. It is employed largely by draughtsmen and by artists, giving a better colour and being easier to work with than ordinary ink.