2340. Small Birds may be preserved as follows:
Take out the entrails, open a passage to the brain, which should be
scooped out through the mouth; introduce into the cavities of the
skull and the whole body, some of the mixture of salt, alum, and
pepper, putting some through the gullet and whole length of the neck;
then hang the bird in a cool, airy place—first by the feet, that the
body may be impregnated by the salt, and afterwards by a thread
through the under mandible of the bill, till it appears to be free
from smell; then hang it in the sun, or near a fire: after it is well
dried, clean out what remains loose of the mixture, and fill the
cavity of the body with wood, oakum, or any soft substance, and pack
it smooth in paper.
2341. Birds' Eggs
In selecting eggs for a cabinet, always choose those which are newly
laid; make a medium-sized hole at the sharp end with a pointed
instrument, and one at the blunt end: let this last hole be as small
as possible; this done, apply your mouth to the blunt end, and blow
the contents through the sharp end. If the yolk will not come freely,
run a pin or wire up into the egg, and stir the yolk well about; now
get a cupful of water, and immersing the sharp end of the shell into
it, apply your mouth to the blunt end and suck up some of the water
into the empty shell; then put your finger and thumb upon the two
holes, shake the water well within, and after this, blow it out. The
water will clear the egg of any remains of yolk or of white which may
stay in after blowing. If one injection of water will not suffice,
make a second or third.
An egg, immediately after it is produced, is very clear and fine; but
by staying in the nest, and coming in contact with the feet of the
bird, it soon assumes a dirty appearance. To remedy this, wash it well
in soap and water, and use a nail-brush to get the dirt off. The
eggshell is now as it ought to be, and nothing remains to be done but
to prevent the thin white membrane (which is still inside) from
corrupting.
Take a wineglass and fill it with a solution of corrosive sublimate in
alcohol, then immerse the sharp end of the eggshell into it, keeping
the finger and thumb which hold the egg just clear of the solution.
Apply the mouth to the little hole at the blunt end, and suck up some
of the solution into the shell. There need be no fear of getting the
liquor into the mouth, for as soon as it rises in the shell the cold
will strike the finger and thumb, and then the sucking must be
immediately discontinued. Shake the shell in the same manner as when
the water was in it, and then blow the solution back into the glass.
The eggshell will now be beyond the reach of corruption; the membrane
for ever retains its pristine whiteness, and no insect, for the time
to come, will ever venture to prey upon it. If you wish your egg to
appear extremely brilliant, give it a coat of mastic varnish, put on
very sparingly with a camel-hair pencil: green or blue eggs must be
done with gum arabic, as the mastic varnish is apt to injure the
colour.
2342. Fishes
Large fishes should be opened in the belly, the entrails taken out,
and the inside well rubbed with pepper, and stuffed with oakum. Small
fishes may be put in spirit, as well as reptiles, worms, and insects
(except butterflies and moths); insects of fine colours should be
pinned down in a box prepared for that purpose, with their wings
expanded.
2343. Tracing Paper
Mix together by a gentle heat, one ounce of Canada balsam, and a
quarter of a pint of spirits of turpentine; with a soft brush spread
it thinly over one side of good tissue paper. The composition dries
quickly, is very transparent, and not greasy, and therefore, does not
stain the paper to which it is applied.
Never Walk One Way and Look Another.
2344. Impressions from Coins
Melt a little isinglass glue with brandy, and pour it thinly over the
medal, &c., so as to cover its whole surface; let it remain on for a
day or two, till it has thoroughly dried and hardened, and then take
it off, when it will be fine, clear, and hard, and will present a very
elegant impression of the coin. It will also resist the effects of
damp air, which occasions all other kinds of glue to soften and bend
if not prepared in this way.
2345. Method of Hardening Objects in Plaster of Paris
Take two parts of stearine, two parts of Venetian soap, one part of
pearlash, and twenty-four to thirty parts of a solution of caustic
potash. The stearine and soap are cut into slices, mixed with the cold
lye, and boiled for about half an hour, being constantly stirred.
Whenever the mass rises, a little cold lye is added. The pearlash,
previously moistened with a little rain water, is then added, and the
whole boiled for a few minutes. The mass is then stirred until cold,
when it is mixed with so much cold lye that it becomes perfectly
liquid, and runs off the spoon without coagulating and contracting.
Previously to using this composition, it should be kept for several
days well covered. It may be preserved for years.
Before applying it to the objects, they should be well dusted, the
stains scraped away, and then coated, by means of a thick brush, with
the wash, as long as the plaster of Paris absorbs it, and left to dry.
The coating is then dusted with leather, or a soft brush. If the
surface has not become shining, the operation must be repeated.
2346. Modelling
Modelling in Cork, Gutta Percha, Leather, Paper, Plaster of Paris,
Wax, Wood, &c.—Modelling, in a general sense, signifies the art of
constructing an original pattern, which is to be ultimately carried
out on an enlarged scale, or copied exactly.
2347. Scale of Construction
When models are constructed to give a miniature representation of any
great work, elevation, or topographical information, they are executed
in detail, with all the original parts in just and due proportions, so
that the work may be conducted or comprehended better; and if the
model is a scientific one, viz., relating to machinery, physical
science, &c., then it requires to be even still more accurate in its
details. In fact, all models should be constructed on a scale, which
should be appended to them, so that a better idea may be obtained of
the proportions and dimensions.
2348. Materials
The materials used in modelling are plaster of Paris, wax, whiting,
putty, clay, pipeclay; common and factory cinders; sand of various
colours; powdered fluor-spar, oyster-shells, bricks, and slate; gums,
acacia and tragacanth; starch; paper, white and brown, cardboard and
millboard; cork sheets, cork raspings, and old bottle-corks; gutta
percha; leather and leather chips; wood; paints, oil, water, and
varnish; moss, lichen, ferns, and grass; talc, window and
looking-glass; muslin and net; chenille; carded wool; tow; wire; hay
and straw; various varnishes, glue, and cements.
2349. Tools
The tools consist of brushes for paints, varnishes, and cements; two
or three bradawls; a sharp penknife; a chisel, hammer, and punches;
scissors and pencil.
2350. Caves
Caves may be modelled readily in cork, wood, starch-paste, or cinders
covered with brown paper soaked in thin glue.
2351. To Construct Caves of Cinders
Arrange the cinders, whether common or factory, in such a manner as to
resemble the intended design; then cover in such parts as require it
with brown paper soaked in thin glue until quite pulpy. When nearly
dry, dust over with sand, powdered brick, slate, and chopped lichen or
moss, from a pepper-box; touch up the various parts with either oil,
water, or varnish colours; and if necessary, form your trees of wire,
covered with brown paper and moss, glued on.
Better Go Round than Fall into the Ditch.
2352. Cave Effect
When a Cave is constructed in the above manner, on a large scale, and
the interior sprinkled with powdered fluor-spar or glass, the effect
is very good by candle-light.
2353. Stalactites
Stalactites may be represented by rough pieces of wood, which must be
smeared with glue, and sprinkled with powdered fluor-spar, or glass.
2354. To Model Caves in Cork
Construct the framework of wood, and fill up the outline with old
bottle-corks. The various projections, recesses, and other minutiae,
must be affixed afterwards with glue, after being formed of cork, or
hollowed out in the necessary parts, either by burning with a hot wire
and scraping it afterwards, or by means of a sharp-pointed bradawl.
2355. Small Trees
If small cork models are constructed, the trees should be formed by
transfixing short pieces of shaded chenille with a fine wire (.), and
sticking them into the cork.
2356. Decoration
Various parts of the model must be touched up with oil, water, or
varnish colours; and powdered brick, slate, and chopped lichen, or
moss, dusted on as usual.
2357. Wooden Models
Wooden models are constructed roughly in deal, according to the proper
design, and the various fine parts afterwards affixed with glue or
brads.
2358. Finer Work in Wood
In forming the finer parts of the wooden model, a vast amount of
unnecessary labour may be saved, and a better effect obtained, by
burning much of the outline, instead of carving it. By this plan,
deeper tones of colouring, facility of operating, and saving of time
and labour, are the result.
2359. Decorating Wooden Models
In common with other models, those constructed of wood require the aid
of lichen, moss, powdered slate, &c., and colours, to complete the
effect.
2360. Water
When water issues from the original cave, and it is desirable to copy
it in the model, a piece of looking glass should be glued on the
stand, and the edges surrounded by glue, and paper covered with sand.
Sometimes it is requisite to cut away the wood of the stand, so as to
let in the looking glass; this, however, is only when the water is
supposed to be much lower than the surface of the land.
2361. Starch-Paste Models
Starch-paste models are formed in the usual way, of the following
composition:—Soak gum tragacanth in water, and when soft, mix it with
powdered starch till of a proper consistence. It is much improved by
adding some double-refined sugar finely powdered. When the model is
finished, it must be coloured correctly, and varnished with white
varnish, or left plain. This is the composition used by confectioners
for modelling the various ornaments on cakes.
2362. Ancient Cities
Ancient cities may be constructed of cork or starch-paste, in the same
manner as directed above; bearing in mind the necessity for always
working models according to a scale, which should be afterwards
affixed to the stand of the model.
2363. Modern Cities
Modern cities are better made of cardboard, starch-paste, or
pipe-clay; the houses, public buildings, and other parts being
constructed according to scale.
2364. Houses
Houses should be cut out of a long thin strip of cardboard, partially
divided by three strokes of a penknife, and glued together; this must
afterwards be marked with a pencil, or pen and ink, to represent the
windows, doors, stones, &c.; and the roof—cut out of a piece of
square cardboard, equally and partially divided—is then to be glued
on, and the chimney—formed of a piece of lucifer match, or wood
notched at one end and flat at the other—is to be glued on, A square
piece of cardboard must be glued on the top of the chimney; a hole
made with a pin in the card and wood; and a piece of grey worsted,
thinned at the end, fixed into the hole for smoke.
Examples do not Authorize Sins.
2365. Public Buildings
Cathedrals, churches, and other public buildings are made in the same
way; but require the addition of small chips of wood, ends of lucifer
matches, cork raspings, or small pieces of cardboard, for the various
ornaments, if on a large scale, but only a pencil-mark if small.
2366. Starch-Paste or Pipeclay
When constructed of starch-paste, or pipeclay, the material is rolled
flat on a table or marble slab, and the various sides cut out with a
sharp penknife; they are then gummed together, and coloured properly.
2367. Large Models
If large models of houses or buildings are made, the windows are
constructed of talc or thin glass, covered with net or muslin. The
frames of the windows are made of cardboard, neatly cut out with a
sharp penknife.
2368. Countries
Countries should be made of cork, because it is easier to work.
Although the starch-paste is very agreeable to model with, yet it is
liable to shrink, and therefore, when in the mass, one part dries
quicker than another, so that there is not equal contraction—a great
objection to its employment in accurate models. Cork, on the contrary,
may be easily cut into all forms, and from abounding with pores, it is
remarkably light—no little consideration to travellers.
2369. Topographical Models
Topographical models may, however, be formed of plaster of Paris, but
the weight is an objection. A model of a country on a moderate
scale—say one-eighth of an inch to a square mile—with its mountains,
valleys, and towns, may be thus made:—A model having been first made
in clay, according to scale and plan, moulds should then be taken of
various parts in gutta percha, rendered soft by dipping it into hot
water, and the parts cast in paper cement.
2370. Paper Cement
-
Reduce paper to a smooth paste by boiling it in water; then add
an equal weight each of sifted whiting and good size; boil to a
proper consistence, and use.
-
Take equal parts of paper, paste, and size, sufficient
finely-powdered plaster of Paris to make into a good paste, and use
as soon as possible after it is mixed. This composition may be used
to cast architectural ornaments, busts, statues, &c., being very
light, and susceptible of a good polish, but it will not stand
weather.
2371. Other Parts
The several mountains and other parts being formed, join them together
in their proper places with some of the No. i. paper cement, rendered
rather more fluid by the addition of a little thin glue. The towns are
made of a piece of cork, cut and scratched to the form of the town;
steeples of cardboard, and trees of blades of moss. Sand is sprinkled
in one part; looking-glass in others, for the lakes, bays, and rivers;
and green baize flock for the verdant fields.
2372. Monuments
Monuments, ancient or modern, are better constructed of cork, on
account of the lightness and facility in working, more especially the
ancient ones.
2373. Ruins
Ruins should be constructed of cork, according to the directions given
above, and when it is necessary to represent the mouldering walls
covered with moss or ivy, a little green baize flock, or moss
chippings, should be attached by mucilage to the part; and oftentimes
a brush of raw sienna, combined with varnish, requires to be laid
underneath the moss or flock, in order to improve the effect.
Prostrate columns and huge blocks are effectively represented in cork,
and should be neatly cut out with a sharp knife, and the various parts
supposed to be destroyed by age picked away with a pin or blunt knife
afterwards.
2374. Cities and Temples
We will suppose that the model is to represent the Temple of Theseus
at Athens, which was built by Cimon, the son of Miltiades. In the
first place we must obtain the necessary dimensions, and then,
reducing the number of feet to fractional parts of an inch, form a
scale suitable for carrying out the whole. A piece of wood of the
necessary size is procured, the plan marked out in pencil, and the
ground on which it stands imitated in cork, by cutting away the parts
that are not required with a sharp penknife, and adding others with
glue.
The floor of the temple is now to be glued on with common glue, for we
should remark that the liquid glue does not dry quickly enough for
cork modelling, and is not so good as the old plan; the sides and ends
are formed of cork sheets, marked with a lead pencil to represent the
blocks of stone; and ruined and broken parts imitated, by pricking the
cork with a blunt penknife or needle. The frieze, representing the
battle between the Centaurs and Lapithæ and the metopes in
mezzo-relievo, containing a mixture of the labours of Hercules and
Theseus, should be drawn upon the sheets of cork according to scale,
and coloured with a little lampblack and raw sienna, to represent the
subject intended, if the scale is small; but if the model admits of
it, the groups may be neatly carved with a sharp penknife from the
cork, which has been previously outlined with pencil.
The next thing we shall have to do is to strengthen the interior of
the model, and this is done by glueing small pieces of cork, at
irregular intervals, at the angles formed by the junction of any
parts; these are put on the inside, and lastly, the roof is affixed.
Any parts that require to be coloured, may be touched up with varnish
or water colours, and lichen, &c., affixed with mucilage where it is
requisite.
2375. To Model from Living Objects
We will imagine that the reader desires to model the features of some
friend, and as there is some difficulty in the matter, on account of
the person operated upon having a natural tendency to distort the
features when the liquid plaster is poured upon the face, and some
danger of suffocation if the process is not well managed, we will
proceed at once to describe the various stages of operating:
2376. Procedure (1)
Mix the plaster of paris with warm water, and have it about as thick
as cream, but do not mix it until all is ready. Lay the person upon
his back, and having raised his head to the natural position when
walking, by means of a pillow of bran or sand, cover the parts
intended to be cast with oil of almonds or olives, applied by means of
a feather, brush, or lump of cotton: plug the ears with cotton or
wool, and insert two quills into the nostrils, and plug the space
between each quill and the nostril very carefully with cotton.
2377. Procedure (2)
Cover the face with the plaster, beginning at the upper part of the
forehead, and spread it downwards over the eyes, which should be kept
firmly
closed, but not in such a manner as to produce any distortion
by too violent compression—and continue the plaster as far as the
lower border of the chin; cover that part of the chest and arms that
is to be represented, and carry the plaster upwards, so as to join the
cast of the face; then carefully remove each, and season for casting,
by soaking or brushing with linseed oil boiled with sugar of lead or
licharge. Some persons boil the moulds in the oil; and many, instead
of casting the face in one piece, and the chest in another, lay
threads across the face and up and down it, leaving the ends out. As
the plaster sets, or is nearly set, the threads are pulled through, so
as to divide the cast into four, five, or more pieces.
2378. Procedure (3)
The back part of the head is moulded by having an oval trencher sort
of vessel, deeper than half the head, and generally made of plaster,
and boiled in oil. The back of the head being oiled, and this trencher
partially filled with liquid plaster of Paris, the head is lowered
into it, and the cast taken. The back of the neck is cast with the
person turned over on his face.
2379. Procedure (4)
Each part of the mould is marked so as to secure accurate junction
with the adjoining part or parts; sometimes with a
x
or
||
, which,
passing over the junction of two pieces, serves to distinguish them.
2380. Procedure (5)
To model the face, join the several pieces, and tie them together with
twine; then wrap some rag round the joints, to prevent the plaster
oozing out, and pour in the plaster, made tolerably fluid, taking care
to oil the inside of the mould very carefully first. When the outer
part of the mould is nearly set, scoop out the centre with a spoon,
and let the whole dry; then remove the strings, &c., and smooth off
the edges of the joints upon the model with a sharp penknife, and
carve out the eyes from the mass, otherwise they will appear as if
closed.
2381. Wax Models
Wax models may be made from the moulds used for the plaster; but when
the wax sets at the outside to about one-eighth of an inch, the rest
should be poured out of the mould; or, a smaller portion being poured
in, it may be shaken about the inside of the mould until it is coated.
The pieces are removed, and the seams trimmed up, as in the plaster
cast.
2382. Making a Cast
If a cast be made in Gutta Percha from the model in plaster—or, what
is still better, in fusible metal,—then, by pressing basil leather,
moistened with water, into the mould, and strengthening the back and
centre with chips of wood affixed by liquid glue, a very nice model
may be obtained in leather, which, when varnished, will look like oak
carving—especially if it be stained with Stephens's Oak Stain.
2383. Rustic-Work Seats
Rustic-work seats, &c., may be constructed of wire twisted to the
proper shape and size, and then covered with gutta percha, rendered
soft by being dipped in hot water. The gutta percha should be twisted
round the wire previously warmed, and gently heated over a spirit
lamp, or dipped again into hot water, so as to allow the various parts
to be covered with it. When the model is finished, it should be
touched up here and there with oil colours—green, yellow, sienna, and
Venetian red—according to fancy, and the effect produced will be very
good.
2384. Dr. Clark's Pills for Nervous Headache
Socotine aloes, powdered rhubarb, of each one drachm; compound powder
of cinnamon, one scruple; hard soap, half a drachm; syrup enough to
form the mass. To be divided into fifty pills, of which two will be
sufficient for a dose; to be taken occasionally.
2385. Pains in the Head and Face
A severe attack of tic-doulou-reux is said to have been cured by the
following simple remedy:—Take half a pint of rose water, add two
teaspoonfuls of white vinegar, to form a lotion. Apply it to the part
affected three or four times a day. It requires fresh linen and lotion
at each application; this will, in two or three days, gradually take
the pain away.
2386. Sore Throat
Those subject to sore throat will find the following preparation
simple, cheap, and highly efficacious when used in the early stage:
Pour a pint of boiling water upon twenty-five or thirty leaves of
common sage; let the infusion stand for half an hour. Add vinegar
sufficient to make it moderately acid, and honey according to the
taste. This combination of the astringent and the emollient principle
seldom fails to produce the desired effect. The infusion must be used
as a gargle several times a day. It is pleasant to the taste, and if
swallowed, contains nothing to render it dangerous in any way.
2387. Deafness
It is now considered injurious to use water for the ear in cases of
ear complaint. Pure glycerine has been found to act most beneficially
as a solvent. In some forms of ear complaint powdered borax, as a
constituent of the "drops" to be used has been found useful, and
tannic acid in other forms. Carbolic acid mixed with glycerine is
used when a disinfectant is necessary. So delicate, however, is the
structure of the internal ear that in all cases it is desirable to
consult a medical practitioner.
One is not so Soon Healed as Hurt.
2388. A Cure for Weak and Sore Eyes
Sulphate of zinc, three grains; tincture of opium, ten drops; water,
two ounces. To be applied three or four times a day.
2389. Squinting
Squinting frequently arises from the unequal strength of the eyes, the
weaker eye being turned away from the object, to avoid the fatigue of
exertion. Cases of squinting of long standing have often been cured by
covering the stronger eye, and thereby compelling the weaker one to
exertion.