THE BLASCHKA FLOWER MODELS. 669 



before each consignment is sent to this country. The method of 

 packing is in itself interesting, so carefully are these fragile treas- 

 ures prepared for their long journey. Each model is secured to 

 its tablet by means of fine wire, then the tablet is fitted into its 

 pasteboard box ; under every curve of stem and tendril, support- 

 ing each leaf and petal, wherever there is space for it between 

 tablet and model, are soft folds of tissue paper. More of the same 

 paper, lightly crushed, fills the box to the brim, the cover is fas- 

 tened on, and the boxes are then placed in a strong wooden case, 

 which is in turn embaled in straw and finally enveloped in coarse 

 sacking. It may readily be imagined that the task of unpacking 

 is an equally delicate one, and it is a proof of the skill with which 

 both processes are accomplished that so few of the flowers have 

 suffered in either. 



Rudolf Blaschka has made two visits to America in search of 

 subjects for models the first in 1893, when he made a journey to 

 Jamaica in order to study subtropical plants, as well as one to 

 Arizona and California, returning by way of Colorado and the 

 nearer Western States. These journeys yielded rich results in 

 the way of sketches and studies, which were for the most part 

 rapid pencil drawings made from the living plant, with only 

 slight washes or crayon touches of color, BJaschka's minute mem- 

 oranda furnishing all further necessary detail. 



The second trip to America was made in the summer of 1895, 

 and from this expedition Rudolf Blaschka was recalled by the 

 sad news of his father's death. 



The original plan of the collection had been to represent only 

 the flora of North and South America, as it had seemed doubtful 

 if the services of the two artists could be secured for a longer 

 time than would be necessary for this. After beginning to make 

 models of flowers, however, the Blaschkas had found their old 

 work of making marine animals, which must be duplicated, ex- 

 tremely distasteful, and had signified their willingness to devote 

 themselves wholly to the new enterprise, which they evidently 

 wished to be considered their monumental work. 



From the very beginning of the undertaking, both father and 

 son have acted from the highest principles and with perfect integ- 

 rity, and the relations on both sides have been of a most cordial 

 and pleasant nature. 



All subsequent ofi'ers, no matter how advantageous they might 

 appear to be, have been steadfastly declined by them ; and that the 

 contract has been fulfilled, not in the letter alone, has been ably 

 proved by the evident fact that the flower models have, if pos- 

 sible, shown greater excellence in the later than in the earlier 

 instances. 



So greatly has the proposed scope of the original scheme been 



