Conversations on Chemistry, V. 1-2 / In Which the Elements of that Science Are Familiarly Explained and Illustrated by Experiments

by Mrs. Marcet

Whilst we are on the subject of colours, I should like to learn what ivory black is?

MRS. B.

It is a carbonaceous substance obtained by the combustion of ivory. A more common species of black is obtained from the burning of bone.

CAROLINE.

But during the combustion of ivory or bone, the carbon, I should have imagined, must be converted into carbonic acid gas, instead of this black substance?

MRS. B.

In this, as in most combustions, a considerable part of the carbon is simply volatilised by the heat, and again obtained concrete on cooling. This colour, therefore, may be called the soot produced by the burning of ivory or bone.

[CONVERSATION XXIV.]
ON THE ANIMAL ECONOMY.

MRS. B.