214 Experiments and Observations on Feathers y 



is spread over a small lablc, the plumage downwards, and 

 the featliers previously well arranged over each other. To 

 stretch it better, it is iixed with pins, or with a thread. 



The grease and flesh which may adhere to it, are then re- 

 moved, and the rents in it, it" any, are sewed up ; the skin 

 is then covered with 2;lue, prepared from a handful of farina, 

 a pinch of common salt, and as much good white wine as is 

 necessary to mix it up and bring it to the proper consistence. 



The skin being thus covered is exposed to dry to the 

 north wind, after which it is cleaned by scraping it ; which 

 may be easily done, as the glue detaches itself in scales. 

 After this operation, if it still retain any humidity, it must 

 be again covered with glue, and dried as before. 



When well dried, it is fixed with thread upon paper, or 

 on a ribbon, to preserve it, and inclosed in a box, the bot- 

 tom of which is covered with absynthium or rose-wood. If 

 an agreeable odour be required in the skin, it will be neces- 

 sary, before it is taken from the table, and after it has been 

 scraped, to give it, with a sponge, a stratum or two of 

 some odoriferous composition. 



When the skins are those of large birds, vinegar, in 

 which salt or alum has been dissolved, is used insiiead of 

 wine; several strata of this mixture are daubed over them ; 

 the quantity depends on the thickness of the skin. 



JVrUJng Quills. 



Pens, for such is the name given to the feathers of the 

 wings and tails of birds, to distinguish them from the fea- 

 thers, properlvso called, bv which their bodies are covered, 

 are the lor>gest and strongest of all the feathers; those 

 of swans, geese, and crows, are employed in preference to 

 all others for economical purposes, and according to the 

 quality of their barrels. 



Thus, the quills of the swari are most esteemed for writing 

 and for forming brushes; those of the goose, which are 

 more plentiful, and almost as good as those of the swan, are 

 more generally used for w riting ; and those of the crow are 

 more particularly employed for the keys of harpsichords, 

 and by draftsmen in those kinds of draw ings which are exe- 

 cuted \\ itb the pen. 



Method of Dulclufying Qiiilh. 



The bird which supplies the greatest quantity of writing- 

 pens is the goose. One furnishes quills of ten different quar 

 lities ; but there always remains on their surface a greasy 

 matter, from which they must be freed to render them pure, 



transparent. 



