110 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



dimensions varying from three to four inches long by two to two and a half 

 inches wide, and about three quarters to one inch thick. These, piled toge- 

 ther, become a homogeneous mass of sulphate of lime, and an easily workable 

 artificial stone. The block so made is next chipped down to the required 

 size, the component limbs and trunk being hewn out of the solid, principally 

 by the aid of small and light chisels and hammers. Upon the scaly chipped 

 surface of the figure in this state (when it resembles a lepidodendron more 

 than anything else) the modelling of the muscles and features is effected in a 

 paste of plaster, dabbed on with trowels, floats, and finally spuds of various 

 sizes. The finished surface of the nude is lastly worked up by hollow files, 

 pierced at one end, like a colander, with holes, half round which a tooth is 

 raised. These files are extremely effective ; they are made by the artist him- 

 self, of every shape, size, and curvature, and rasp the dry plaster away 

 beautifully, leaving a pleasant texture of surface. 



In the fingers and extremities of the plaster model copper wires are 

 inserted, being the only representatives of the unwieldy mass of iron frame- 

 work necessary for the setting up and support of a clay model ; these wires, 

 by their ductility, afford sufficient liberty for changing the pose and attitude 

 of members, if, as the work proceeds, occasion arises for so doing. A finger, 

 for instance, requires to be more bent; it is sawn through to the wire at 

 the joint, the wire is twisted into the required position, and a fresh modelling 

 of the joint muscles is alone required. The wires, in fact, take the place of 

 bones. 



For finishing the limbs of his figures with that extreme nicety which he 

 does, Mr. Powers adopts a bold and novel mode. He has invented a vice, 

 which is set upon a ball and socket joint, and has, by virtue of raising and 

 depressing screws, every possible variety of motion. This instrument is the 

 perfection of ingenuity. The sculptor cuts off from his figure an arm, a head, 

 a leg, when modelled sufficiently for his purpose, and, fixing it in the vice, 

 turns, twists, scrapes and polishes it at his ease, to the most detailed finish. 

 In cutting off, a dowel is inserted into one side of the cut, and a mortice 

 hole left in the other, and these are so arranged, with regard to a groove 

 which is first made on the outside of the linib, as to insure an absolute 

 accuracy in refitting. By arrangements of this kind the working of the 

 torso is rendered much less difficult than when covered in part by limbs 

 stretching before it, and the finishing of the nude to that exactness which 

 Mr. Powers always adopts before touching the drapery, becomes a less tedious 

 operation. 



The several advantages obtained by this s} T stem are, the saving of one 

 whole operation, viz. casting, the model itself being used for the points ; the 

 convenience of being able at any time to put aside or resume a study without 

 that intervening watchfulness, and care in moistening and covering up, which 

 a clay model requires; the more absolutely sculpturesque nature of the 

 designing itself; the facility of bending the extremities when modelled by 

 means of their central wiry bones, which would only cut through instead of 

 moving the clayey limbs ; the saving of time and labor, by remodelling a 

 portion only, instead of a whole limb, when slightly altered in position; and, 



