168 



THE AlVGLEE-NATUEALIST. 



ing-substance, though of inferior quality, the best of all 

 being procured from the Whitebait ; and it was the custom 

 amongst hawkers regularly, before selling any "White-fish" 

 as they were termed, to supply the bead-makers with their 

 scales. 



The method of obtaining and using the pigment was, 

 by first washing, and then soaking the scales untd. the 

 colouring-matter descended to the bottom of the vessel 

 in the form of a pearly precipitate, whence it was re- 

 moved by small tubes and injected into thin hollow glass 

 beads of various sizes. These were then spread on sieves, 

 and dried in a current of air. If greater solidity appeared 

 to be necessary, a further injection of melted wax was 

 resorted to. 



Mif''^' 



Scale of Barbel. 



Scale of Bleak. 



At present the material for making artificial pearls is 

 supplied by the swimming-bladder of the Argentine, or 

 Tiber Pearl-fish. The bladders are placed in spirits of 

 wine, and when required for use are taken out and steeped 

 in a solution of isinglass until all the pearly particles have 

 been detached, the method of injection being as before. 



