The Leyden and Stockholm Papyri - University of Cincinnati

80. The Dissolving of Comarum
Take and put lye from ashes upon comarum. Place it upon the fire a
night and a day and it will become dissolved. The lye from ashes is,
however, according to the following preparation. Place ashes in
sufficient water and put this in a pot. Make a cavity and put quicklime
in the hole. Pour in it the lye from the ashes and it will flow
pure through the palm flower wrapping. Apply this material for
dissolving.
The substance called “comarum” was used as a mordant in coloring
stones and cloth. Its exact nature is not known.
81. Another (Recipe)
Several have also undertaken the dissolving with this, namely
“capnelaion,” which is a very dear substance; others again with
the sap of balsam trees.
82. Another (Recipe)
The dissolving of comarum. Put in a pot about two pints of spring
water. When this has been boiled once, put in the pot a third of
gum tragacanth and a third of cleaned and washed comarum
which you have finely pulverized. However, when this has boiled
six times take it away from the fire – but boil with a gentle fire.
Place it again upon the ground, let it cool off for several days and
use it thus. The solution of comarum is also useful as a preliminary
coating for every stone.
83. Preparation of Emerald
THE STOCKHOLM PAPYRUS
Mix and put together in a small jar 1/2 a drachma of copper green,
1/2 a drachma of Armenian blue, 1/2 a cup of the urine of an uncorrupted
youth, and two-thirds of the fluid of a steer’s gall. Put
entire stones therin, indeed (about) 24 pieces, so that they weigh
about 1/2 an obolus. Lay the cover upon the pot, lute the cover all
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