Art of moulding Carving in Wood . 419 
Process . 
I made very clear glue with five parts of Flanders glue 
and one part of fish glue or isinglass. I dissolved these 
two kinds of glue separately in a large quantity of water, 
and mixed them together after they had been strained 
through a piece of fine linen to separate the filth and he- 
terogeneous parts which could not be dissolved. The 
quantity of water cannot be fixed, because all kinds of 
glue are not homogeneous, so that some require more and 
some less. The proper degree of liquidity may be known 
by suffering the mixed glue to become perfectly cold : it 
must then form a jelly, or rather a commencement of jelly. 
If it happens that it is still liquid when cold, a little of 
the water must be evaporated by exposing the vessel in 
which it is contained to heat. On the other hand, if it 
has too much consistence, a little warm water must be 
added. In a word, the proper degree will be ascertain* 
ed by a few trials. 
The glue thus prepared is to be heated till you can 
scarcely endure your finger in it : by this operation a lit- 
tle water is evaporated, and the glue acquires more con- 
sistence. Then take fine raspings of wood or sawdust, 
sifted through a fine hair-sieve, and form it into a paste, 
which must be put into moulds of plaister or sulphur af- 
ter they have been well rubbed over with linseed or nut* 
oil, in the same manner as when plaister is to be mould- 
ed. Care must be taken to press the paste in the mould 
with your hand, in order that it may acquire all the forms 
of the mould : then cover it with an oiled board, and, 
placing over it a weight, suffer it in that manner to dry* 
The desiccation may be hastened and rendered more 
complete by a stove. When the impression is dry re- 
move the rough parts, and if any inequalities remain be- 
hind they must be smoothed : after which the impression 
