CASES AND MOUNTS FOR SPECIMENS. 235 



polislied. In this tlie glass is put in from the back with putty, 

 or papered in, and finally held in place by " beads " of wood, 

 the top is lined with linen and coloured in oil, and after the 

 work is put in (from the back) the back-board (previously lined 

 and coloured) is screwed up, and thus you have a case perfectly 

 impervious to dust or to the changes of the atmosphere. Unless 

 the amateur is a good workman, it will be better for him to get 

 such a case turned out by a professional joiner, to ensure clean- 

 cut work. 



These are very handsome and neat cases, especially if the back 

 be " ploughed " out deeply to receive a canvas on a stretcher, 

 on which a characteristic scene is painted. In this event the 

 included work must be good, and the fitting-up as plain as 

 possible. 



Cases for fishes are best glazed by " sprung " or semi-convex 

 glass for the fronts, which often does away with the necessity 

 for glass ends, and gives also a more artistic and finished 

 appearance. 



Glass shades, especially those of an oval shape, suit many 

 birds well, but for large work are more expensive than cases. 

 Stands in black or gilt are usually supplied with them; but 

 those in mahogany, oak, and other fancy woods must be ordered, 

 unless the amateur possesses a lathe, and the requisite knowledge 

 to use it. In fitting up these with rockwork, &c., it is best to 

 arrange the work on a "false bottom," or at least to cover up 

 with paper the polished stand, lest it be spoiled. 



Mounts. — " Mounts," which are simply tops of round or oval 

 shades fitted into corresponding stands or frames of wood, or are 

 open cylinders of glass with a flat piece cemented on one end, 

 were, I believe, first invented by Mr. George Ashmead, of Bishops- 

 gate-street, London. They are very effective, and also occupy but 

 little space, as they hang up on the wall in positions where 

 shades or cases will not go. The method of making up a 

 *' mount " is as follows : Procure from a glass merchant the top 

 of a shade, let us say 12in. in diameter by 7in. high. To this 

 have a stand or rim turned out of thoroughly dry wood of 

 sufficient size to overlap the shade lin. all round — 14in. in dia- 

 meter, therefore, for a 12in. shade. A groove should be turned 

 in the stand of sufficient width to allow the glass to play freely. 



