THE MODELLING AND MAKING-UP OF FUNGI 375 



from the centre, to obviate any tendency to wrinkle, which 

 would otherwise happen, even in a small fungus, if put on in 

 a piece. Each layer should be well pasted, brushed well into 

 the crevices, and laid down with care. 



A day or two in a warm room will set them, and, if the 

 overlapping edges of paper are cut around, the models, if not 

 quite loose, may be set before a not too fierce fire for a few 

 minutes to hasten their drying, and may be gently lifted 

 or " wriggled " out. The model fungus is now in two pieces if 

 cast in vertical halves, or in three, if cast with upper and lower 

 surfaces and with a separate stalk. This latter is the easiest 

 to join together, as, after the superfluous paper has been cut 

 from around the edges (best done with a sharp knife whilst the 

 model lies upon a strip of glass), the upper and under portions 

 are well pasted on their inner or plain surfaces, and joined 

 together by the intervention of some wadding, also pasted, the 

 edges, if " gaping," being made up with minute pieces of well- 

 pasted tissue-paper and tooled to meet each other. " Wrapping- 

 cotton '' should be wound loosely around them during the time 

 they are drying. If any uncertainty exists as to the exact 

 relative position of the upper and under halves, place each in 

 its mould and press the two together, which will give the 

 correct fit. The stalk is joined on by the same method, or 

 supplemented by wood within each half 



The putting-together of the two vertical halves is not so easy, 

 especially if the stalk is closed at the base, as happens when 

 the fungus has been pulled up, or is wanted as a botanical 

 specimen and not as an accessory. If open at the base, some 

 pasted wadding or tissue-paper can be gently pressed in ; 

 this will partially unite the edges, whilst an elastic band or 

 thread holds it in position. The edges will doubtless gape a 

 little here and there, and must be united by plugging with 

 small rolled slips of pasted tissue-paper, and, when dry, making 



