FLORAL DECORATIONS. 
93 
than others. A good test is to try the leaves after they 
have been gently boiling for about an hour, and if the 
cellular matter does not easily rub off betwixt the finger 
and thumb beneath cold water, boil them again for a short 
time. When the fleshy matter is found to be sufficiently 
softened, rub them separately but very gently beneath cold 
water, until the perfect skeleton is exposed. The skeletons 
at first are of a dirty white color ; to make them of a pure 
white, and, therefore, more beautiful, all that is necessary 
is to bleach them in a weak solution of chloride of lime. 
The best solution is a large teaspoonful of chloride of lime 
to a quart of water ; if a few drops of vinegar are added to 
the bleaching solution, it is all the better, for then the free 
chlorine is liberated. Do not allow them to remain too 
long in the bleaching liquor, or they will become too brit¬ 
tle, and cannot afterwards be handled without injury. 
About fifteen minutes is sufficient to make them white and 
clean-looking. Dry the specimens in white blotting paper, 
beneath a gentle pressure, after they are bleached. 
Simple leaves are the best for young beginners to experi¬ 
ment upon ; the Vine, Poplar, Beech, and Ivy leaves make 
excellent skeletons. Care must be exercised in the selec¬ 
tion of leaves, as well as the period of the year and the 
state of the atmosphere when the specimens are collected, 
