374 TAXIDERMY AND MODELLING 



gently into the cup-shaped or umbrella-shaped part, and before 

 it sets bend a stout wire thus n as a loop, and thrust it half- 

 way into the plaster ; when set, reverse the fungus, still with the 

 plaster inside the umbrella, and, letting the wire loop rest in the 

 wool in the box, proceed to wet the fungus slightly, and then 

 pour plaster over the outside to a sufficient thickness, or until 

 bounded by the sides of the casting-box ; when set, remove as 

 before, and now the fungus is entirely out of sight. Pare 

 the edges up to the insertion of the wire loop, all around, 

 taking care not to reach the edges of the fungus ; then hold 

 the wire loop, and, by pulling on this and tapping gently with 

 the mallet, the centre will come out, leaving, probably, the 

 fungus in the outer mould ; this is then easily removed, and 

 there remain, if properly executed, moulds of the outside and 

 inside of the umbrella-shaped fungus. The stalk, ranging from 

 a couple of inches to sometimes a foot in length, is to be cast 

 in the same manner as detailed for the casting of the others. 



Some fungi are in form somewhat like a reversed umbrella ; 

 from these also remove the stalk, and cast into the under 

 surface first, and the upper surface and stalk follow as directed 

 above. \ 



The moulds, having been dried in the oven or on the top 

 of a closed stove, should be treated as previously directed, 

 and finally oiled with colza-oil. 



The casts or models from the moulds can be made in a 

 variety of ways, either by the direct plaster method, which is 

 not recommended, by the direct paper process, by paper pulp, 

 by glue -composition, or by wax, according as their nature 

 suggests ; but numbers of them — in fact, the greater proportion 

 — may be made by the direct paper process, and all mush- 

 rooms, whether large or small, will require four thicknesses of 

 tissue-paper, and two of "cap" paper to follow and finish. 

 The paper should be cut V shaped, and pasted down, radiating 



