MODELLING THE LILY OF THE VALLEY 365 



The Lily of the Valley, Convallaria majalis, Linn. 



This lovely flower, so highly appreciated for its exquisite 

 scent and delicate beauty, is so much better known as a cultivated 

 than as a wild flower, that it is only introduced here as being 

 easily procured to model from, and as a guide to the making-up 

 of commoner wild flowers, such as the harebell campanula. 

 Campanula rohmdifolia, Linn., and other similarly bell-shaped 

 flowers, useful as accessories to the advanced taxidermist or 

 the economic entomologist. 



In modelling the bells or perianths of this flower it is neces- 

 sary to use the tool. Fig. K, Plate II., or larger, according to the 

 size of the bell to be copied. Cut " on the cross " a strip of white 

 art fabric, wider than the depth of the bell, and wind it once 

 around the thin end of the tool, which should first be moistened 

 in the mouth, allowing rather more of the fabric to extend 

 beyond the end than appears to be requisite for uniting. Join 

 the overlapping edges, and mould the upper margin upon the 

 extremity of the tool, carefully cutting away any superfluous 

 fabric. When modelled so that no joins are visible, slip the 

 bell off" the tool and cut it, at the open end, to the depth 

 required, holding it lightly between the left thumb and fore- 

 finger, and cutting at one snip with a pair of small sharp scissors. 

 This, it will be seen, compresses the mouth of the bell, and, as 

 six small notches have next to be cut around the edge, this 

 compression is of service, the ends of the mouth indicating the 

 position of two of the notches, and thus assisting to equalise 

 the space for the remaining four. Now, with the head of a 

 modelling-pin inside the bell, roll it about upon the finger until 

 the upper part of the bell expands and takes the natural form. 

 Replace the bell upon the tool as before ; thin the edges by 

 rolling with a pin, and rub it over lightly with arrowroot. Then 

 select a piece of very fine wire, prepare the end as usual, tip it 



