Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 133, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 June 1918 — Indelible Ink From Fungus Found Growing in France in Decaying Vegetable Matter [ARTICLE]

Indelible Ink From Fungus Found Growing in France in Decaying Vegetable Matter

The utilization of a common variety of fungus for the manufacture of ink, now both costly and scarce; has been proposed in France, says the Pathfinder. The ink-yielding fungus which is often found growing in clusters where decaying vegetable matter exists in rich, damp soil is sometimes called the “inkstand” or the “ink bottle” because of the fact that when it decays a black liquid is produced. Its cap’ is elongated and bell-shaped, white ■at first and covered with a shining powder, later turning to gray with small brown scales on its top. A French scientific Journal says that extensive experiments in the production of indelible ink from this fungus were once carried on by French botanists. The fungi are simply placed in a bottle or other container. After standing for a day or two they change to a black pusy mass, which, on being filtered through a folded cloth, yields a deep black or brownish ink, not unlike India ink. The addition of a small quantity of gum arabic and a little of the essence of cloves Is said to improve it and preserve its fluidity. The ink consists of a liquid in which are suspended the minute spores of the fungus. For this,, reason it can be readily identified by means of a microscopic examination. As it is also Indelible It is peculiarly valuable for use in writing of wills and other documents which are sometimes subject to fraudulent alterations.