Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-03-24
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SKELETON LEAvEs.-Skeleton leaves
are among the most beautiful objects in
nature, and as they can be arranged either
in groups under glass shades, made into
pictures, as it were, and hung against the
wall. or placed in either blank-books or al
buns, they come within the means of all,
and can be used to decorate the palace or
the cottage. The most suitable leaves for
the purpose are these from what botaniste
call oxygenous plants, and may be known
by the vine of the leaf branching from
central vein OF mid-rib those from endo-
genous plants rising from the base and
curving towards the apex of the leaf. The
object in view is to destroy what may be
called the fleshy part of the leaf, as we'll as
the skin, leaving only the ribs or veins.
The most successful, and probably the
simplest way to do this is to macerate the
leaves in rain-water till they are decom-
posed. For this purpose, when the leaves
are collected, they should be placed in an
earthenware pan or wooden tub, kept
covered with rain-water, and allowed to
stand in the sun. In about fortnight's
time they should be examined, and if found
pulpy and decaying, will be ready for skel-
etonizing, for which process some cards, a
camels hair brush, as well as one rather
stiff "a toothbrush for instance), will be
required. When all is prepared. gently
float leaf on to a card, and with the soft
brush carefully remove the skin. Have
ready a basin of clean water, and when the
skin of one side is completely removed re-
verse the card in the water, and slip it un-
per the leaf, so that the other side is up
permest. Brush this to remove the skin,
when the fleshy part will most likely come
with it; but if not, it will rel Oily wash
ont in the basin of water. If particles of
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 carr will
be necessary to avoid breaking the Skeleton
and the hard brush should only be used in
perpendicular direction, Ia sort of gentle
tapping,) as any horizontal motion OF
brushing" action will snfallably break
the skeleton. Never attempt to touch the
I6dF0S Or Gu0 Skeleton III CI.S sac W1UQ
the fingers, as when they axe soft their
own weight will often break them. A very
good way of bleaching the skeleton is to
prepare solution of chloride of lime,
which must be allowed to settle, and the
clear liquid poured into basin, in which
the skeletons may be put bv floating them
off the card. It is as we'll to have half a
dozen ready to bleach at once, as they re-
quire watching, and if allowed to remain
in too long will fall to pieces. From two
ofour hours will generally suffice to bleach
the skeleton of all ordinary leaves, after
which they should be washed in several
changes of water. and finally left in clean
water for half an hour. After the leaf has
been sufficiently washed it should be float
ed on to a card and dried as quickly as
possible, care being taken to arrange the
skeleton perfectly flat, and as near as pos
sble to the natural shape. This can be
done with the assistance Of the soft brush
When dry the skeleton should be perfectly
white, and should be mounted on dark
backgrounds, as black velvet. or paper.