MODELLING THE DEAD NETTLE 349 



The " Dead Nettles " 



Henbit lamium, Lamium, am^lexicaule, Linn. 

 Red „ „ purpureum, „ 



White „ (the " Dead Nettle ") „ album „ 



Yellow „ (the "Archangel") „ galeobdolon, Crantz. 



The whole of the " dead nettles " are most elegant and 

 valuable objects as accessories, but are extremely difficult to 

 render faithfully, and therefore only those who have gone 

 through the curriculum of flower-modelling embodied in these 

 pages should attempt such objects, which require the most 

 skilful manipulation and ripe knowledge. However, a descrip- 

 tion of how a white lamium was modelled by Mrs. Mogridge 

 and imparted to Miss Squires, who improved upon the patterns, 

 will perhaps help the student. 



Although in the natural flower the corolla is in one piece, 

 as shown in diagrams i and 2 (after Bentley), it is necessary, for 

 the purposes of modelling, to cut two portions, which are after- 

 wards united. For the open blossom, therefore, cut on the cross, 

 out of white art fabric, two pieces in the forms of Nos. 3 and 4. 

 Mix a little arrowroot and flake white powder and rub into 

 each side of these pieces, avoiding, however, the narrow basal 

 portions which are required for uniting. Now with a modelling- 

 pin roll and model these " petals " upon the palm of the hand 

 until the upper lip assumes a deeply concave and arched 

 appearance, and a sort of median keel is formed throughout 

 the entire length of the " petal," the curve being assisted by 

 folding and gently stretching the " keel " with the fingers, the 

 dry powder preventing the fabric from sticking. Tool the 

 lower lip until it takes the natural form ; thicken the basal 

 portion by lining it with wax, and slightly tint the keel of each 

 with the same powders as before, to which a little dry aurora 

 yellow has been added. 



