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To Prepare Skeleton Leaves

The object in view is to destroy what may be called the fleshy part of the leaf, as well as the skin, leaving only the ribs or veins. The most successful, and probably the simplest way to do this, is to soak the leaves in rainwater till they are decomposed. For this purpose, when the leaves are collected, they should be placed in an earthenware pan or a wooden tub, kept covered with rain-water, and allowed to stand in the sun. In about 2 the assistance of the soft brush. When dry the skeleton should be perfectly white, and may be mounted on dark backgrounds, as black velvet or paper. (See No. 6171.) 6170. Quick Method of Preparing Skeleton Leaves. A solution of caustic soda is to be made by dissolving 3 ounces washing soda in 2 pints boiling water, and adding 1 ounces quicklime previously slacked; boil for 10 minutes, decant the clear solution, and bring it to the boil. During ebullition add the leaves; boil briskly for about an hour, occasionally adding hot water to supply the place of that lost by evaporation. Take weeks time they should be examined, and if out a leaf, put it into a vessel of water, and found pulpy and decaying, will be ready for rub it between the fingers under the water. skeletonizing, for which process some cards, a If the skin and pulpy matter separate easily, camel's-hair brush, as well as one rather the rest of the leaves may be removed from stif (a tooth-brush, for instance), will be the solution, and treated in the same way; required. When all is prepared, gently float but if not, then the boiling must be continued a leaf onto a card, and with the soft brush for some time longer. (See No. 6168.) carefully remove the skin. Have ready a 6171. Το Bleach Skeleton Leaves. To bleach the skeleton leaves, mix about 1 drachm chloride of lime with 1 pint water, adding sufficient acetic acid to liberate the chlorine. Steep the leaves in this until they are whitened (about 10 minutes), taking care not to let them stay in too long, as they are apt to become brittle. Put them into clean water, and float them out on pieces of paper.

Lastly, remove them from the paper before they are quite dry, and place them in a book or botanical press. They look best when mounted on black velvet or paper. (See No. 6169.) basin of clean water, and when the skin of one side is completely removed, reverse the card in the water, and slip it under the leaf, so that the other side is uppermost. Brush this to remove the skin, when the fleshy part will most likely come with it; but if not, it will readily wash out in the water. If particles of the green-colored matter still adhere to the skeleton, endeavor to remove them with the soft brush; but if that is of no avail, the hard one must be used. Great care will be necessary to avoid breaking the skeleton, and the hard brush should only be used in a perpendicular direction (a sort of gentie