The foregoing comprise those yellows more generally employed, advisedly or not, as the case may be. The following are for the most part not commercially obtainable, a remark that will apply in ensuing chapters to all numbered colours printed in italics. As a rule, these have become obsolete as pigments, or have never been introduced as such. The former could not well be omitted in a work of this kind, and the latter deserve notice as being at least suggestive. At present, many of them must be regarded as mere curiosities, being obtainable only from materials of excessive rarity. In time, however, the sources whence they are derived may possibly be found in greater abundance, and these now fancy products prove of value to the palette. The new metal indium, for instance, furnishes a bright yellow sulphide, like that of cadmium. The colour could not be affected by foul air, and might possess other advantages which would render indium yellow a desirable pigment. With regard to those compounds available for artistic use, but which have not to our knowledge been adopted, several are quite ineligible. It may be thought that they are needlessly referred to, but they are mentioned as a warning and a guide. Strange preparations have been offered as pigments, and sometimes accepted, witness turbith mineral, iodine yellow, &c. In these days of chemistry there is less chance for them, but they are continually submitted to one's notice, their merits being enlarged upon in proportion to their worthlessness. Through an exceptional ignorance they may still gain a place, and it has been deemed, therefore, not superfluous to allude to them. At the same time we do not pretend to exhaust the list, any more than we claim to note all substances possessing colour, but yet not admissible as pigments. Some there are which do not retain that colour on drying; others, whose preparation involves processes too nice, complicated, or expensive, for manufacturing purposes. There are many colours, again, which exist only on paper. We have too often found the imaginations of chemical writers far more vivid than the colours they describe. Gorgeous yellows turn out dingy drabs; dazzling scarlets dirty reds; and brilliant blues dusky slates. As respects colours, most books of science need revising.
52. Arsenic Yellow,
Called also Mineral Yellow, has improperly been classed as an orpiment, from which it differs in not being a sulphide, and in containing lead. It is prepared from arsenic fluxed with litharge, and reduced to powder. It is much like orpiment in colour, dries better, and not being affected by lead, is less liable to change in tint. The presence of the litharge, however, renders it subject to be blackened by sulphuretted hydrogen. Of course it is poisonous.
53. Bismuth Yellow,
Or chromate of bismuth, may be obtained either as a lemon or an orange yellow, sparingly soluble in water. The colour is not permanent, and turns greenish-brown even when excluded from light and air.
54. Copper Yellow,
Or chromate of copper-potassa, is of a bright yellow tint, not insoluble in water. It is discoloured both by foul gas and exposure.
55. Gelbin's Yellow,
Or chromate of lime, is a pale whitish yellow, poor in colour, partly soluble, and not at all to be depended on.