PHANTOM FLOWERS. 83 



roller with absolute uniformity. This is quickly ac- 

 complished by frequently passing the roller to and fro 

 over that half of the stone on which no ink had been 

 spread. But in so doing, care must be taken to oc- 

 casionally lift it from the stone, and to give it a half 

 revolution before again putting it down, so that its 

 surface shall come in contact with new portions of the 

 surface of the stone. By following these directions 

 the ink will become distributed evenly over the face of 

 the roller, whence it wiU be transferred with corre- 

 sponding uniformity to the delicate framework of the 

 leaf, and will produce a perfect impression of its most 

 complex veinwork. If the ink is not thus nicely dis- 

 tributed on the roller, the interstices in the leafy struc- 

 ture will become filled with it, and the impression 

 will present an unsightly blotch. 



For taking impressions, thin letter paper will be 

 found the best, if it be nicely glazed and free from 

 ridges or water-marks. It should first be cut into 

 pieces about the desired sizes, and then slightly sprin- 

 kled with clean water, say two or three pieces first. 

 On these as many dry ones should be laid, and they 

 sprinkled in turn, then more dry ones, then another 

 sprinkling, and so on until the whole quantity has been 

 sprinkled. Let the pUe lie for half an hour, or until 



