6186. Etching Shells

6186.    Etching Shells. This is done by means of acid. The parts not to be acted upon must be protected by a so-called etching-ground, which consists of a thin layer of varnish blackened in a flame so as to see plainly the figures afterward drawn on it. Be careful, when doing this, to make a clear drawing or writing in which the shell is exposed at the bottom of every line, as any remaining varnish would protect those parts, and tho writing would not be brought out. The acid, either strong acetic, diluted nitric, or muriatic, is then applied, and when its action is sufficient it is washed off with water, the varnish is rubbed off with turpentine or alcohol, when the drawing or lettering will appear, and look as if cut in with an engraver's tool. The design may also be drawn with varnish on the shell by means of a fine brush, then the acid will dissolve the surface around the lines drawn, and the writing will appear in relief, the letters being elevated in place of being sunk in as by the former process. The latter is the more common way in which these shells are treated. This method is applied to many other objects; all that is wanted being a liquid dissolving the material to be acted upon, and a varnish to protect some parts from its action.

6187. To Clean Shells

6187.    To Clean Shells. Make lye by boiling strong ashes, allow it to settle; pour the lye over the shells, and boil them 6 or 7 hours, or longer if they are large; then soak, and wash often in fresh water.

6188. To Color Shells

6188.    To Color Shells. Dissolve a little lac dye in a solution of chloride of tin; and having made the shells thoroughly clean, dip them in this preparation until they are of the desired color. The dye should be first boiled, and then allowed to stand to settle.

6189. To Keep Gold-Fish

6189.    To Keep Gold-Fish. Gold-fish must bo kept in a vessel of sufficient capacity, and be given fresh water every day, or at least every other day. It is best to clean tho vessel then, by washing it inside with a cloth. The fresh water ought to be clean, and not too hard. It is not good to feed them, as tho food will only serve to render the water unfit for their existence, and if renewed every day, the water itself furnishes them with enough material for their sustenance. Fish kept in this way generally perish from want of oxyMISCELLANEO gen. Anything, therefore, which consumes it ought to be avoided, and this is a reason for not giving them any food. Green leaves of living plants have an opposite effect, and they may be kept for this purpose in fish-bowls; they absorb the carbonic acid in the water exhaled by the fish, giving off oxygen, which is in turn taken up by the fish and reconverted into carbonic acid.

6190. Food for Mocking-Birds

6190.    Food for Mocking-Birds. Mix together 2 parts corn-meal, 2 parts pea-meal, and 1 part moss-meal; add a little melted lard, but not sufficient to make the mixture too greasy, and sweeten with molasses. Fry in a frying-pan for 1/2 hour, stirring constantly, and taking care not to let it burn; this makes it keep well. Put it in a covered jar. The moss-meal is prepared by drying and grinding the imported German moss-seed.