which could be produced therefrom by comparatively
simple means, otherwise we would not be confronted
with the fact that no specimens of ink writing of
natural origin remain to us.

The very few specimens of ink writing which have
outlasted decay and disintegration through so many
ages, are found to be closely allied to materials like
bitumen, lampblack obtained from the smoke of oil-
torches or resins; or gold, silver, cinnabar and
minium.

Josephus asserts that the books of the ancient Hebrews
were written in gold and silver.

"Sicca dewat" (A silver ink standeth), as the ancient
Arabic proverb runs.

Rosselini asserts:

"the monumental hireoglyphics of the Egyptians
were almost invariably painted with the liveliest
tints; and when similar hireoglyphics were executed
on a reduced scale, and in a more cursive
form upon papyri or scrolls made from the leaves
of the papyrus the pages were written with both
black and colored inks."

The early mode of ink writing in biblical times
mentioned in Numbers v. 23, where It is said "the