MODELLING THE BLUEBELL 367 



termination of the wax covering, a bract is attached as before, 

 the stem is made down to the next flower, and this is repeated 

 until sufficient buds and flowers have been fixed, when the stem 

 is completed by folding around the wire a strip of wax 

 graduated in width, so that the stem will become gradually- 

 thicker towards the root. 



The Leaves 



The leaves being rather thick, and the venations extremely 

 fine, it is better to cast them by pouring hot wax upon the 

 plaster moulds, and for this purpose the latter should not be 

 boiled in borax as usual. To make a leaf, therefore, saturate 

 the plaster mould in hot water, take it out and pour over it 

 hot wax of a delicate green tint. Leave this on the mould, 

 and, having placed the " rib " in position, cover the back with 

 pale green fabric, pressing and uniting it well to the wax. 

 Remove from the mould, trim according to the impression 

 shown by the latter, and thin the edges in the usual manner. 



Bluebell, Scilla verna (Huds^ 



This pretty flower, one of the few blue flowers the artist 

 will find of value, is commenced by preparing a fine wire about 

 3 inches in length. Cut a small strip of white art fabric, 

 turn down a very narrow edge, cut six stamens as finely as 

 possible, colour the anthers with powder-colour as dry as can 

 be used, and fix the stamens around the end of the wire. 

 Take a strip of white wax about three-quarters of an inch in 

 width and fold it lengthwise, bringing the lower edge to within 

 the eighth of an inch or so of the upper ; now fold the double 

 portion again, bringing the folded edge a little lower than the 

 second single one, and wind it around the wire, the folds 

 inside and at the base forming a bulbous foundation for the 

 perianth, and the uppermost single edge just catching and 



