364 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



by good paste (Formula 90), and, where necessary, pasted 

 tissue-paper is inserted in any hollows. The waste edges are 

 then sewn closely over, so that the front and back edges of the 

 actual model come exactly together, which is easily tested by 

 running the point of the needle through both parts close to the 

 outline of the leaf ; and, when finished, the whole is suspended 

 by the wire at the base until dry, after which the waste edges 

 are cut off, following the impression of the mould of the actual 

 leaf The trimmed edges, if too thick, are filed and sand- 

 papered to render them of the thinness apparent in the 

 natural leaf. 



In either event, after trimming and sandpapering, there 

 results a strong paper leaf, smooth, and of the shape of the 

 original ; and now comes the finishing process, which is to 

 heat wax (Formula 98), coloured to the natural green, in one 

 of the vessels mentioned at p. 211, warm the modelled leaf 

 slightly in front of the fire, and paint it rapidly over with the 

 coloured wax, putting on a sufficient body to give quality, but 

 not, of course, to thicken or obscure the sharp keel. Here and 

 there the wax, put on with a soft brush, may have another coat, 

 and, if the wax be properly hot, no joins will show, but only 

 a little lumpiness, which can be removed by coarse sandpaper 

 rubbed along {not across) the wax ; and here comes in an interest- 

 ing " dodge " — the coarse sandpaper giving the exact texture 

 of the natural leaf. Any extra colouring is managed by 

 rubbing in dry pigments with stiff brushes (see Fig. F, Plate II.), 

 and, if skilfully done, nothing can be nearer nature than the 

 green wax, delicately tinted in parts, showing over a white 

 underground ; and thus this difficult leaf, when made according 

 to the above instructions, amply repays all the trouble it has 

 cost to execute. If the leaf has a decided reddish or yellowish 

 cast at the base, it may be tinted with coloured waxes direct, 

 as mentioned for the bills of birds (see p. 2 1 o). 



