Ink, Inkhorn. Jeremiah 36:18; Ezekiel 9:2. It is supposed that the common ink of early ages was made of water and pulverized, charcoal, or the black of burnt ivory, with the addition of some kind of gum. Other substances were doubtless used both for writing and coloring matter. The Romans used a dark purple liquid, which was obtained from a species of fish, for this purpose. The ink in common use at this day has been known for several centuries in Europe, and is usually made of nutgalls, vitriol, and gum. Ancient ink was more caustic, and less liable to fade or decay. Chinese ink is of the same quality. The professed writers or scribes carried with them, as they do at the present day in eastern countries, writing instruments, and among them was an inkhorn, thrust into the girdle at the side.