222 Directions for producing Skeleton Leaves, fyc. 



some other small forcing stream of water, which will wash 

 away all the other skin and green fleshy matter. If this 

 matter does not come off readily when assisted a little with 

 the thumb and finger, or a small knife, the leaves must be 

 soaked for a longer time. Those of the leaves which seem 

 liable to break during the washing of them may be preserved 

 from breaking by placing them upon a little piece of board, 

 and holding them by the thumb and finger ; and, should a 

 little of the green fleshy matter remain fixed between the 

 interstices of the skeleton leaf, it may easily be removed by 

 striking the leaf perpendicularly with a clothes brush. 



They will now only require bleaching. This may be done, 

 very effectually, by placing them in a bandbox, with a little 

 sulphur burning in a small vessel beside or under them. The 

 most sure way, however, of bleaching objects of this nature is, 

 to immerse them, for a few minutes, in dilute chloride of lime, 

 or chloride of soda. 



The reason of the process of macerating directed will be 

 readily understood by the chemist, who knows that the degree 

 of success in the preparation of all anatomical subjects de- 

 pends entirely upon the degree of putrefactive fermentation 

 which takes place. Everything, then, which increases this 

 fermentation hastens the object : it will instantly be seen, 

 therefore, why the proper time is during the summer months ; 

 and this is, also, the only time when specimens can be pro- 

 cured. It will be evident, also, why the water must not be 

 changed ; and why a quantity must be done at once. The 

 object in putting boiling water, in the first instance, is, to 

 destroy vitality, and to soften, in some degree, the texture of 

 the outer coating. Metallic vessels, especially iron ones, are 

 very unfit to immerse any anatomical preparations in, as they 

 communicate to the objects the dark brown stain of oxide of 

 iron, which nothing afterwards will remove. 



Choice of Subjects. — Such are to be chosen as are of a 

 fibrous woody texture ; and these are to be gathered at that 

 time of the year when the internal woody fibre is sufficiently 

 hard (as about June or July) : though, in the case of leaves, 

 those of ivy and of holly may be taken all the year ; and 

 seed-vessels may be taken a little before the seed is ripe. In 

 making your selection, carefully avoid all which are of a 

 resinous nature, as attention to these will be but thrown 

 away: thus the leaves of the fir tribe, the camphor tree, the 

 laurel, the bay, and of most of the evergreen shrubs and 

 trees, are inapplicable. This advice will apply, with still 

 stronger force, to the astringent kinds : it is in vain to try 

 the leaves of the oak, chestnut, maple, elm, willow, horn- 



