Plantagenet

plan-taj'e-net. See Broom Plantain. See Banana; Manila Plaster of Paris, a well known white, powdery cement. It is made by heating gypsum, a sort of chalky limestone, in a kiln or retort. It was made largely in the vicinity of Paris, from which circumstance the name is derived. When mixed with water it soon hardens or sets like mortar or cement, but it is as cleanly as chalk and is free from caustic properties. It expands slightly in setting, and for that reason is an excellent material for making casts and reproductions of coins, cameos, medallions and statues. It is too soft for durability, but it may be hardened by an addition of alum, borax, or alcohol to the mixture. The surface of the outer coat may be hardened by painting or by dipping in melted paraffin. The material called stucco is formed by mixing glue with the plaster. See Gypsum; Chalk; Lime