quicksilver and tin writing

Ingredients

quicksilver (zibaq), tin (al-muštarī), gum arabic water

Preparation Steps

Original Recipe Text

Take quicksilver (zibaq) and pour tin (al-muštarī/al-qaṣdīr) over it, then calcinate the mixture. The resulting 'blackness' is extracted and ground into a fine powder (p. 181). This powder is mixed with gum arabic water to form an ink. When written on red or blue leaves and subsequently polished with onyx, the text appears as if made of silver (p. 181).

Evidence

"take some quicksilver, pour some tin over it, and calcinate it with this; its blackness will be extracted from it; make it into a powder. Add gum arabic water to it and write with it what you wish."

Remarks

Tin is referred to by the code name 'Jupiter' (al-muštarī) (p. 181). The text suggests this ink is particularly effective for writing on colored paper (p. 181).