MAKING A MODEL OF A FOSSIL 295 



the edges (oiled) of the stone itself, and overlapping top and 

 bottom about an inch. This, when dry, was relieved by cutting 

 at the corners, which were afterwards repaired with pasted 

 paper. The pulp model, being reversed, had now to be joined 

 to the under part of the paper block, and, that the edges might 

 agree, they were fixed with a stitch here and there. In some 

 places spaces had to be made up, whilst other portions of the 

 block required trimming away. When the latter had been 

 done, the spaces were filled with cotton wool (pasted), a foun- 

 dation for the same sometimes having to be made up with 

 crumpled paper, slightly pasted and pressed in. The bottom of 

 the block was covered with " cap " paper, and, where the join 

 showed on the top, a thin layer of pulp was worked on in 

 the usual manner, and afterwards beaten in with a stiff brush 

 to obtain the rough appearance of the surrounding matrix. 

 It was then left to dry, any little fault being afterwards 

 trimmed up with a sharp knife and file, and filled in again 

 with pulp or other composition, pasted over, and plaster 

 of Paris dusted on. Finally, when dry, it was coloured with 

 powder -colours mixed with turpentine, and touched up with 

 tube oil-colours, to get the natural effects and texture. The 

 weight of the actual stone was 6|- lbs., but the model weighed 

 only 4 oz. 



At the beginning of the instructions upon casting, it should 

 have been stated that, contrary to the generally received opinion 

 as to the " cleanliness " of plaster — an impression derived prob< 

 ably from its delusive whiteness, — there is hardly any sub- 

 stance so dirty, and so persistent in its endeavours to thrust 

 itself into situations where its presence is undesirable, and that, 

 therefore, not only should all casting be carried on as far from 

 the dwelling as possible, but the modeller should have a 

 special blouse or covering, of strong burden (or harden), made 

 high at the neck, close at the wrists, reaching to the heels. 



