Sepia & Chalk

Today sepia is associated with photography but in ancient times the colour produced was a defence mechanism by a cuttlefish known as sepia was used as ink. The Roman Poet, Marcus Valerius Martialis, used sepia (the ink of a cuttlefish) to write his works. When sending out his latest collection written in sepia ink he included a sponge in the package, so that his words could be wiped away if they did not please the recipient.