4l}9 
Isinglass^ 
every thin membrane which envelopes the sound, and then 
exp vsed to stidea a little in the air : in this state they are 
form into rolls, about the thickness of a finger, and 
in length according to the intended size of the staple, a 
thiii incmbrarx is generally selected for the centre of the 
roil, round which the rest are folded alternately, and about 
hall an mch of each extremity of the roll is turned 
wards. The due dimensions being thus obtained, the 
two ends of xvhat is called short staple^ are pinned to^ 
gether with a small wooden peg, the middle of the roll is 
then pressed a little downwards, which gives it the re- 
semblance of a heart shape, and thus it is laid on boards 
or hung up in the air to dry. The sounds which com- 
pose the long staple are longer than the former ; but the 
operator lengthens this sort at pleasure by interfolding 
the. ends of one or more pieces of the sound with each 
other : the extremeties are fastened with a peg like the 
former, but the middle part of the roll is bent more con- 
siderably downwards, and in order to preserve the shape 
of the three obtuse angles thus formed, a piece of round 
stick, about a quarter of an inch diameter, is fastened in 
each angle with small wooden pegs, in the same manner 
as the ends. In this state it is permitted to dry long 
enough to retain its form, when the pegs and sticks are 
taken out, and the drying completed ; lastly, the pieces 
of isinglass are collected in rows, by running pack-tliread 
through the pegholes, for convenience of package. 
The membranes of the book sort being thick and re- 
fractory, will not admit a similar formation with the pre- 
ceding ; the pieces therefore, after their sides are folded 
inwardly, are bent in the centre in such a manner that 
the opposite sides resemble the cover of a book, from 
whence its name ; a peg being run across the middle, 
fastens tl;e sides together, and thus it is dried like the 
former. This sort is interleaved and the pegs run across 
