Much of the character and expression of animals depends upon their eyes;
it will, therefore, be evident that great attention is necessary in the
artificial imitation of these.
In this operation, a pipe of baked earth is used, or a tube of glass six
or seven inches in length, at the end of which a little white enamel is
placed. This is placed to the flame, so that it may be blown. This
enamel forms a globe, whose dimensions depend upon the quantity of air
introduced. When this globe is of the size wished, we place in the
middle, and perpendicularly to the point of the pipe, the quantity of
enamel necessary to form the enamel. The second enamel is then
incorporated with the first by presenting it to the flame, while
attention is paid to turn the pipe gradually round, so that the enamel
may diffuse itself equally, and the iris be exactly circular. If it is
required that this iris should be of various colors, like that of man,
for example, small filaments of enamel are distributed in diverging rays
of the suitable color; the eye is then placed in the flame, until these
have incorporated with the iris, after which the pupil is placed as
before directed, and the glass applied as before directed.
During this operation, the globe is almost certain of sinking down,
partly from the air escaping, partly from the heat, and from the
pressure which is used in applying the different substances; air must
again be supplied from time to time to prevent it from losing its form.
This becomes particularly necessary when glass is applied, and when it
is extended over the whole surface of the iris.
The eye having got its form and size, the pipe is taken away. To effect
this, after the air has been introduced, the entrance of the pipe is
stopped with the finger, and the back part of the eye exposed to the
flame; when the air contained in the globe, and rarefied by the pipe,
comes through at the place where the flame has most action. This opening
is prolonged by turning the point of the flat pincers, or an iron-wire,
all round the pipe; one point only is left by which the eye remains
fixed. It is then warmed equally all over, after which it is exposed to
a gentle heat, and when it again cools, it is separated from the pipe.
ARTICLES REQUIRED FOR SKINNING AND MOUNTING QUADRUPEDS, BIRDS, REPTILES,
AND FISHES.
1. A box containing scalpels of different shapes; a pair of scissors
with pointed blades, and two or three pointed forceps of different
sizes, the extremities of one of which ought to be indented.