CHAP. 19.—MELINUM: SIX REMEDIES. CERUSE.
Melinum, too, is a white colour, the best being the produce of the Isle of Melos.1886 It is found also in Samos; but this last kind is never used by painters, in consequence of its being too unctuous. The persons employed in extracting it, lie at full length upon the ground, and search for the veins among the rocks. In medicine it is employed for much the same purposes as eretria;1887 in addition to which, it dries the tongue, acts as a depilatory, and has a soothing effect. The price of it is one sestertius per pound.
The third of the white pigments is ceruse, the nature of which we have already1888 explained when speaking of the ores of lead; there was also a native ceruse, formerly found on the lands of Theodotus at Smyrna, which the ancients made use of for painting ships. At the present day, all ceruse is prepared artificially, from lead and vinegar,1889 as already stated.