PLAXT FORMS IN WAX 



19 



greater or less speed as a thin or thick coating is desired. Still greater 

 thickness of the wax is obtained by omitting the use of this rod, simply 

 dipping the strips of cloth and letting them drip while blowing on the 

 hot wax. 



The wax is tinted by mixing small quantities of oil color in a ladle 

 Tinting of fluid wax which is afterward gradually added to the heated 

 the Wax mass until the desired shade is obtained. 



Silk-wound wire, which should vary in thickness according to the 

 size and weight of the leaf, is taken from the spool and 

 stretched until it no longer curls; then it is cut into suitable 



The Wire 

 Foundation 



lengths for the midribs. Heavy wire and additional sup- 

 porting ribs are used for the largest leaves and are covered with strips 

 of waxed gauze to bring about more complete adhesion with the wax 

 of the leaf. A sufficient quantity of wires, sheet wax and waxed gauze 

 is prepared in advance for the work planned. 



A piece of this sheet wax is warmed over the flame of the spirit lamp 

 or Bunsen burner and applied to the plaster mold, the surface 

 of which has been previously dampened with cold water to 

 prevent adhesion of the wax. The wax is molded with 



The Order 

 of Work 



the finger tips until 

 there appears on the 

 wax a good impression 

 of the pattern of the 

 plaster mold under- 

 neath. The wire for 

 the midrib is then laid 

 in its proper posi- 

 tion upon the wax 

 and covered with a 

 sheet of waxed gauze. 

 The task of weld- 

 ing this gauze to 

 the wax requires 

 care and patience as 

 all air-bubbles must 

 be worked out and 

 the details of vena- 

 tion sharply defined. 



PRESSING THE SHEET WAX INTO THE PLASTER MOLD 



After placing the wire for the midrib in position, the 

 waxed gauze is welded to the wax. For deeply veined or 

 ridged leaves a rubber tool facilitates the work 



