l6o SOME ACCOUNT OF THE 



pletely covered the moulds one after another, and 

 what dropped into the plates was ufed as part of the 

 next coat: the firft I generally found furriciently dry 

 in the fpace of ten minutes, when expofed to the fun, 

 to admit of a fccond being applied: however, after 

 every fecond coat, the oily matter before mentioned 

 was in fuch quantity upon the furface, that, until 

 warned off with foap and water, I found it impoflible 

 to apply any more milk with effect ; for, if laid on, it 

 kept running and dividing like water upon wax. 



Thirty coats I in common found fufficient to give a 

 covering of the thicknefs of the bottles which come 

 from America. This circumfiance may, however, at 

 any time be afcertained, by introducing the finger be- 

 tween the mould and gum, the one very readily fepa- 

 rating from the other. 



I found the fingers preferable to a brum, or any in- 

 flrument whatever, for laying on the milk; for the 

 moment a brum was wet with that fluid> the hair be- 

 came united as one mafs. A mode which at firft view 

 would appear to have the advantage of all others for 

 eafe and expedition in covering clay and wax moulds 

 with the gum, viz. immerfing them in the milk, did 

 not at all anfwer upon trial; that fluid running almoft 

 entirely off, although none of the oily matter was pre- 

 fent; a certain degree of force feeming neceifary to 

 incorporate by friction the milk with the new formed 

 gum. 



When, upon examination, I found that the boots 

 and gloves were of the thicknefs wanted, I turned them 

 over at the top, and drew them off, as if from the leg 

 or hand, by which I faved the trouble of forming new 

 moulds. Thpfe of the bottles being fmalleft at the 

 neck, I was under the neceflity of diffoiving in hot 

 water. 



The 





