Forty Centuries of Ink / Or, A chronological narrative concerning ink and its backgrounds, introducing incidental observations and deductions, parallels of time and color phenomena, bibliography, chemistry, poetical effusions, citations, anecdotes and curiosa together with some evidence respecting the evanescent character of most inks of to-day and an epitome of chemico-legal ink.

by David Nunes Carvalho

"The laws of Rome were engraved on brass and laid up in the Capitol.

"The decalogue was graven upon the tables of stone.

"The Egyptians used papyrus and granite.

"The Burmese, tablets of ivory and leaves.

"Pliny mentions sheets of lead, books of linen, and waxed tablets of wood.

"The Hebrews used linen and skins.

"The Persians, Mexicans, and North American
Indians used skins.

"The Greeks, prepared skins called membrana.

"The people of Pergamus, parchment and vellum.

"The Hindoos, palm-leaves."