49G PROCEEDINGS OF UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM. 
ther secured by strips of paper pasted across them, securing them to 
the mold. These filling pieces prevent the projecting portions of the 
mold from being crushed in transportation. Cut long strips of paper 
and paste them here and there in all directions over the mold. Give 
the entire surface a coat of paste, and apply the sheets, slightly wet, 
with the edges in contact. One or two coats may thus be laid, the outer 
coat breaking joints with the next inner one. Beat all in lightly with 
the large brush. 
In a hot, dry climate, with the sun beating on the inscription, the 
mold will dry readily, the only precaution necessary being to paste the 
edges of the mold all around, here and there, to the edge of the inscrip- 
tion. This will prevent the mold from warping or the wind from de- 
taching it. 
In damp climates and under most circumstances it will probably be 
found best to apply hot sand to the mold to dry it. Sand is rarely dif- 
ficult to obtain, but its application is laborious. A frame should be 
built to fit closely against the inscription. One face of this (the side 
from the mold) should be covered with a sheet of canvas, or with tongue 
and groove boards. In either case cross strips or braces should be 
nailed at close intervals from side to side to keep the frame stiff, or to 
keep the canvas from sagging under the weight and outward pressure 
of the sand. The frame should be braced or shoved against the in- 
scription, and hot sand poured in the top between the frame and the 
mold until the space is full. The sand, besides drying the mold, will 
also keep it pressed closely against the inscription. As a general rule 
stone absorbs the heat so rapidly that several applications of sand are 
necessary. When the mold is finally dry remove the frame. Mark the 
mold with colored chalk, or with a pencil, into the number of divisions 
into which it is to be cut for packing. Give these each a number, and 
mark the edges so that there will be no difficulty in putting them to- 
gether again. Remove the mold by prying it off gently with the model- 
er’s knife. Lay it on the ground and pour the boiling, hardening mix- 
ture over it, using the brush to distribute it evenly. When dry turn 
the mold over and treat the other side in the same way; then cut it 
with the shears into the divisions previously marked, and pack for 
shipment. 
(Copy of a letter from Dr. Hamy relative to paper molds. ) 
FEBRUARY 28, 1884. 
DEAR Sir: I hasten to transmit to you the precise information that 
you have had the kindness to ask regarding our process of taking paper 
molds. 
This process, invented previously by M. Lottin de Laval and slightly 
perfected since, consists in the application, on the object which one 
wishes to reproduce, of a certain thickness of paper (unsized). This 
paper is applied wet on the desired surface and pressed in the crevices 
