CHAPTER XIII.

OF PURPLE.

I shall now speak of purple, which, above all other co-lours, has a delightful effect, not less from its rarity thanfrom its excellence. It is procured from the marineshell which yields the scarlet dye, and possesses qualitiesnot less extraordinary than those of any other body what-ever. It does not in all places where it is found possessthe same quality of colour; but varies in that respectaccording to the sun’s course. Thus, that which is ob-tained in Pontus and in Galatia, from the nearness ofthose countries to the north, is brown; in those betweenthe south and the west, it is pale; that which is found inthe equinoctial regions, east and west, is of a violet hue ;lastly, that which comes from southern countries possessesa red quality: the red sort is also found in the island ofRhodes, and other places near the equator. After theshells are gathered they are broken into small pieces withiron bars; from the blows of which, the purple dye oozesout like tears, and is drained into mortars and ground. It iscalled ostrum, because extracted from marine shells.Inasmuch as this colour, from its saltness, soon dries, itis prepared for use with honey.