soft and soapy and gives it the consistency of 

 cheese, so that it is then easily shaped into the 

 desired form which the pipe is to take. It is 

 then dried and hardened again and on comple- 

 tion the bowl is hollowed out and the stem 

 drilled. If the pipe is a plain one without 

 carving it is finished on a lathe and filed ready 

 for polishing. It is also threaded for the mouth- 

 piece. The pipe is then sent to the drying room 

 for such time as is necessary to expel all mois- 

 ture. The final treatment for the smoothing 

 of the surface is done by fine sandpaper and 

 other special substances, then immersing in 

 melted white beeswax for three to five minutes 

 and finally the giving of a high polish with 

 precipitated chalk, cotton and flannel being the 

 usual rubbing materials used. 



Meerschaum by its nature is particularly 

 adapted for carving. The hand carving of such 

 pipes requires artistic and dexterous craftsmen, 

 who are experts in this particular class of work. 



There are various imitations of meerschaum. 

 One is made from burnt gypsum soaked with 

 lime in a solution of gum arabic. This forms a 

 hard, creamy plaster and is capable of receiving 

 a highly smooth and polished marble-like sur- 

 face. 



Another form of imitation is made of a hard- 

 ened plaster of Paris highly polished and tinted 



157 



