On making sinoper. If you wish to make the best sinoper, take lake and garance and boil them a little with water, in a pot. Then take it out of the pot and let it cool a little. Then grind it thoroughly in a small mortar, and strain it by wringing it through a cloth; then warm it in a basin or a pot, cautiously, taking care not to let it boil, but only just simmer. And while it is being warmed, try it from time to time with a twig, on your finger-nail, until it thickens. Then let it cool and harden until you can make it into cakes, and put them in a box.