CASTING FROM FUNGI 373 



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if the precaution be taken to dip them into flour. When all 

 is satisfactorily " sleeked down," surround the fungus, leaving, 

 say, an eighth- or quarter-of-an-inch margin, with either of 

 the casting- boxes described ; into this, and of course over 

 the underside of the fungus, pour thin and well-mixed plaster ; 

 let it set a few minutes, remove the zinc, and tap the mould 

 gently from the board. Only the top of the fungus is now 

 visible ; remove all the putty or clay, and, if sticky, by washing 

 with a soft brush and water. Cut two little channels or keys, 

 and oil all that surface of plaster which shows, and possibly 

 the top of the fungus itself. Put it on the board, top side 

 uppermost, and, adjusting the box around in the same manner 

 as before, pour thin and well-mixed plaster over all ; allow it 

 to set, when, by jolting or tapping gently, and by pulling with 

 the fingers, the moulds will come apart at the oiled line of 

 division ; the fungus can then be picked out, and a perfect 

 cast of the under and upper surface results. 



The stem is now to be laid upon the board and built up 

 half-way, along its entire length and at the ends, with the 

 putty, etc., and one piece of zinc, bent into an oblong shape 

 and retained at the free end by one piece of wood with saw- 

 cuts, put around the stem, and plaster poured over ; this makes 

 a half, longitudinal mould. Turn over and repeat the oiling 

 and casting to make the other half, and so complete the stem. 



If the fungus is of an open pyramidal or deep umbrella 

 shape — which is the most difficult form, — the stalk should be 

 carefully pulled out, and the inside should be cast into first to 

 preserve the shape ; for this purpose, turn it that way up in 

 a box deep enough to hold it, placing wool at the bottom to 

 save the apex of the fungus from injury, and around the sides, 

 letting it rise above the edges of the fungus, to prevent the 

 plaster from running down on the outside, and also for another 

 purpose which follows. When all is ready, pour the plaster 



