[Illustration: No. 7.]
The Convolvulus, termed, by Botanists, Monopetalous, from its being
composed of only one petal, is exceedingly well adapted for leather
work; it is made by cutting a half circle of leather with a little piece
cut out of the centre of the diameter, as seen in the annexed engraving
(Fig. 1). The leather so cut must be wetted and veined, then bent round
(the smooth side inside, so that the smooth side of the leather form
the inside of the flowers) until the two edges on each side of the notch
come together, where they are to be joined by being either stitched or
glued together; it will then have a conical shape, and must be moulded
with the fingers, or the mould, until it assumes a natural appearance;
the top can be cut to shape, and that part is finished; cut the stamina,
as in (Fig. 2), leaving a stalk of leather attached to it in the
following manner:--take a piece of basil about a quarter of an inch wide
and a few inches long; cut the top as in Fig. 2, taking care to preserve
the form of the anther at the top of each stamen, and rolling the stalk
part up, put it through the petal and glue it in its proper place. The
calyx has five leaves (Fig. 3), and is cut in one piece of leather; a
hole is made in the centre, it is strung on the stalk and attached with
glue to the bottom of the flower outside as in the finished flower (Fig.
4), so that the perfect convolvulus is composed of three pieces, the
petal forming the body of the flower, the stamina inside, and the calyx
at the bottom of the flower outside.