Topics discussed include: calcite, marble, and limestone; chalk; prep aration; history of use; synthetic or precipitated calcium carbonate; lime white; shell white; coral; color; optical properties of calcite; physical properties; chemical properties; permanance and compatibility; purity of composition; identification; particle characteristics; microchemical tests; emission spectrographic analysis, x-ray diffraction, x-ray spectrometric and electron probe analysis; infra-red absorption spectroscopy, neutron activation analysis and radiography. Extensive micrographic illustration, charts and tables are included. Occurrences of chalk on paintings are given in several tables. For example, Joyce Plesters reports occurrences of chalk in paintings of European schools examined in the scientiflc department of the National Gallery in London.