METHOD OF MAKING ENAMEL EYES FOR ANIMALS. 121 



The instruments necessary for making' these are an enamel - 

 ler's table, bellows, lamp, round pincers about six inches in 

 length, which are closed by means of a ring, and with which 

 is held the iron-wire forming the support, and the base of these 

 eyes, which it is impossible to blow. Procure another flat pair 

 of pincers of the same length, which are used for handling 

 the enamel, as also for stirring up the lamp. These instru- 

 ments can be had ready made in every hardware shop. 



The materials from which the eyes themselves are formed 

 is an assortment of cylinders of enamel of all colours, which 

 can be purchased ; besides some fragments or clippings of 

 mirror-glass, which are melted in the lamp into a kind of cy- 

 linder like the enamel, so that they may be ready for use when 

 required. During the process of melting these pieces of glass, 

 considerable attention is necessary to free them from spots and 

 globules of air. These cylinders can be procured ready made 

 in the shops ; and at various glass-manufactories. 



The table is placed in a situation where the light of day 

 cannot reach it, as the double light would distract the vision 

 during the operation. 



After the lamp has been lighted, the pipe of the bellows is 

 directed towards the middle of the wick, which is slightly 

 scattered in that part so as to procure a clear light-bluish flame, 

 which is necessary to secure success in the operation, because 

 if it is not clear, the colours of the enamel are liable to change 

 during the operation of making the eyes. The enamel which 

 we wish to melt should be applied to the extremity of the 

 jet of the flame, which it will not burn, and often melts more 

 easily than in the centre. 



As small eyes are less difficult than large ones, it will be 

 advisable to commence with them until we shall have acquired 

 practice. For small eyes, a small iron-wire is used about an 

 inch and a half long, one end of which is held in the round 

 pincers, and the other is approached to the fire, to which is 

 exposed at the same time the enamel of the colour we wish 

 the eye, whilst the other is turned between the fingers until it 

 begins to melt. The quantity necessary for the size of the eye 

 is then fastened to the end of the iron-wire. This by being 

 turned in the flame forms a small globe, and when it is suffi- 

 ciently rounded, a little speck of black enamel is placed in the 



