MODELS OF FISHES IN MODELLING-GLUE 277 



and of actual board a quarter of an inch or half an inch thick in 

 the case of larger ones, is cut to the shape of the fish, and is so 

 laid upon the paper that it just sinks below the fins, or in a line 

 with the edge of the half model, to which it is firmly attached 

 by brushing the edges and filling them in with some of the 

 same modelling-glue used for the model ; this, if done properly, 

 makes board and fish all in one, and in the case of cardboard 

 it may be glued, or, when backed with wooden board, screwed, 

 to any tablet or background. Care must be taken not to over- 

 run the body-board upon the fins, especially upon the tail, as 

 those parts are to be kept thin. 



When fixed upon a backboard, although screws judiciously 

 applied will usually bring the edge of the model close at any 

 point, yet places may be occasionally found where the trimming 

 has not been done with perfect accuracy, and where spaces 

 occur, in consequence, between the edge of the model and the 

 board. Such defects may be remedied by filling in the spaces 

 with pieces of " trimmings," and applying a warm iron tool 

 (preferably of a rounded form) in the manner already described 

 (see p. 27s). Where the melted composition runs upon the 

 linen-covered board, it will, if coloured over, present a shining 

 appearance, which is a disadvantage, as the background should 

 be dull. The repaired portions should be trimmed, therefore, 

 by cutting down upon the board with a sharp knife, carefully 

 following the natural lines of the model, and avoiding the cutting 

 of the covering of the board ; this done, the superfluous com- 

 position must be removed from the board by scraping (not 

 cutting) with the knife. 



The glue models, when finished, take oil-colour admirably, 

 and the texture and appearance of such things as reptiles, 

 fishes, and invertebrates are lifelike when properly managed, 

 added to which, positions may be slightly varied by bending 

 and wedging upon tablets, and, when painted inside and out, 



