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Carthamine or Safflower Lake

Wash safflower till the water comes off colorless; mix it with water holding 15 per cent. of carbonate of soda in solution, so as to form a thick paste; leave it for several hours, then press out the red liquid, and nearly neutralize it with acetic acid. Next put cotton into it, and add successive small portions of acetic acid, so as to prevent the liquid becoming alkaline. In 24 hours take out the cotton, wash it, and digest it for half an hour in water holding 5 per cent. of crystallized carbonate of soda in solution. Immediately on rebody. If ground too fine it loses its beautiful tint. It can be employed in fresco and silicious painting. It is not affected by sulphuretted hydrogen.