ctions for the
casting of an egg in the mould.

2544. Materials required.

For the first experiments, common yellow wax may be used as the
material, or the ends of half-burnt wax candles. The materials of the
hard (not tallow) composition mould candles will also answer.

2545. Large Castings made Hollow.

Every large object to be imitated in wax should be cast _hollow_; and
therefore, though the transparent lightness required in the imitation
of fruits is not requisite in an artificial egg, the egg may be cast
upon the same principle as a piece of fruit, in the following manner.

Firstly. The two pieces of the plaster of Paris mould must be soaked
in hot water for ten minutes.

Secondly. The wax should in the meantime be very slowly melted in a
small tin saucepan, with a spout to it, care being taken not to allow
it to boil, or it will be discoloured. As to the quantity of wax to be
melted, the following is a general rule:--If a lump, the size of the
object to be imitated, be placed in the saucepan, it should be
sufficient for casting twice, at least.

Thirdly. As soon as the wax is melted thoroughly, place the saucepan
on the hob of the grate, and taking the parts of the mould from the
hot water, remove the moisture from their surfaces by pressing them
gently with a handkerchief or soft cloth. It is necessary to use what
is called in some of the arts "a very light hand" in this operation,
especially in drying moulds of fruits whose aspect possesses
characteristic irregularities--such as those on the orange, the lemon,
or the cucumber. The mould must not be _wiped_, but only _pressed_. If
the _water_ has not been hot enough, or if the drying is not performed
quickly, the mould will be too cold, and the wax will congeal too
rapidly, and settle in ridges and streaks; on the other hand, if the
wax has been made too hot, it will adhere to the mould, and refuse to
come out entire.

Fourthly. Having laid the two halves of the mould so that there can be
no mistake in fitting the one in its exact place quickly on the other,
pour from the saucepan into _one_ of the half moulds nearly as much
wax as will fill the hollow made by the model (egg), quickly fit the
other half on the top of it, squeeze the two pieces tightly together
in the hand, and still holding them thus, turn them over in every
possible position, so that the wax which is slowly con