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CHAP. 30.—ANULARIAN WHITE.

The other colour is that known as "anularian1 white;" being used for giving a brilliant whiteness to the figures of females.2 This, too, is prepared from a kind of chalk, combined with the glassy paste which the lower classes wear in their rings:3 hence it is, that it has the name "anulare."

1 So called from "anulus," a "ring," as mentioned below.

2 "Quo muliebres picturæ illuminantur." The meaning of this passage is obscure. It would seem almost to apply to paintings, but Beckmann is of opinion that the meaning is, "This is the beautiful white with which the ladies paint or ornament themselves."—Hist. Inv. Vol. II. p. 261. Bohn's Edition.

3 Beckmann suggests that it was so called from its being one of the sealing earths, "anulus" being the name of a signet ring. Vol. II. p. 260.

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