352 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



other, or unoccupied, sides of the quadrangular stem. Model 

 this latter to the correct size and form to where the next leaves 

 or cymes should come, and affix these in the natural position 

 on the same sides of the stem as the iirst pair, and so continue, 

 thickening the stem, where necessary, by adding more wires 

 and wax (see p. 3 1 6), tooling each portion into shape before 

 attaching more flowers or leaves, and taking care not to place 

 two successive pairs on the same sides of the stem — following 

 nature, in fact, as nearly as possible, — until the raceme is 

 complete. 



The downy appearance can be given to the flowers and 

 buds by first applying honey with a soft brush, and' then dust- 

 ing on fine white " down." 



The Flowering Rush, Butomus umbellatus, Linn. 



This lovely plant, often to be found in canals and sluggish 

 backwaters with its umbel of rosy flowers reared above the 

 water, is one of the most striking objects which can engage 

 the artistic modeller's attention, and, when properly finished, 

 fully repays all the care and skill bestowed upon it. So far as 

 can be discovered, it has not been attempted by the Mintorns 

 or any other modellers ; the processes which follow, therefore, 

 are probably original, and for them the writer and his friend, 

 Miss Squires, are responsible. 



When freshly plucked — that is, the whole of the flower- 

 stem with as many attached leaves as possible, plucked up 

 by the roots, — the flower-stem should be cut off about six 

 inches below the head, and placed in a tall vessel of water, a 

 narrow preparation-jar, for instance ; the remainder of the stem, 

 perhaps a yard in length, being reserved and kept fresh in 

 water, a much larger and taller preparation-jar holding this and 

 the leaves. 



The Flower. — A leafless stem arises from the water, carrying 



