A STUDY OF LEAVES. 



47 



HOW TO SKELETONIZE LEAVES. 



First, get on hand a good stock of patience, and 

 then try the following receipt — the exquisite result 

 will compensate for the tediousness of the process : 

 Dissolve four ounces of washing-soda in one quart 

 of boiling water, add two ounces of slaked lime, and 

 boil for fifteen minutes ; allow it to cool, and then 

 pour off the liquid into a clean pan. Boil again, 

 and then put in the leaves and boil them slowly for 



an hour, adding water to 

 make up for evaporation. 

 Try, under cold water, 

 whether the green pulp 

 is loose; if not, boil a 

 little longer. 



Then put the leaves 

 in cold water and rub 

 off the green pulp very 

 carefully with fingers or 

 brush. 



To bleach them, use 

 two tablespoonfuls of 

 chloride of lime dis- 



