PLASTER-CAST OF A PERCH. 213 



of the water was then destroyed by the ripple, the big perch 

 lost their caution in consequence. The small ones now left off 

 biting, possibly beginning to see that it was not a profitable 

 occupation. Presently the sport altogether grew slack, and as 

 it was then three o'clock, and the boys had been too busy to 

 eat anything, they left off for lunch. After lunch Frank said, 



"I am sated with slaughter ; and as there is such a nice 

 breeze, let us sail about the broad." 



" Frank would give up anything for sailing," said Dick 

 laughing, as he put away his tackle. 



I forget how many fish they really got that day. but I know 

 that both number and weight were very great indeed. 



They took up the jars and bottles the next morning when 

 the water was clear and still, and released the prisoners which 

 had done them such good service. 



It was worth while preserving a memento of a four-pound perch, 

 and as it was a pity to spoil it for eating by skinning, it was 

 resolved to make a plaster-cast of it, and this was done in the 

 following manner : 



They bought some plaster-of-paris and mixed it with water 

 until it became a thin paste. This they poured into a box, 

 and when it began to set they laid the fish on its side in it, 

 so that exactly one half of it was covered by the plaster. The 

 fish had first been well oiled, so that the scales should not 

 adhere to the mould. When the plaster was set and hard the 

 fish was taken carefully out. Several holes about an inch deep 

 were then bored in the plaster round the imprint of the fish. 

 The plaster-cast was then well oiled, the fish laid in it, and 

 more plaster poured in, until the fish was covered. When this 

 in its turn had become hard it was taken off, and both sides of 

 the fish were now represented in the mould. The holes which 

 had been bored in the first mould, now had corresponding 

 projections in the second mould. This was to insure accuracy 

 of fit when the pieces were put together for the final cast A 

 hole was then bored through one side of tha mould. The 

 interior of it was well oiled, the pieces fitted together, and 

 liquid plaster poured in through the hole. In a couple of 

 hours the moulds were separated, and a perfect cast of the 

 fish was the result. This Mary painted in water-colour to 

 imitate the natural fish, and the final result was very creditable 

 to all concerned. 



