Fig. 16.

Fig. 18.

Fig. 17.

3117. For fastening a cord to any cylindrical object, one of the most useful knots is the clove hitch, which, although exceedingly simple and most easily made, is one of the most puzzling knots to' the uninitiated. There are several modes of forming it, the most simple being perhaps as follows: - make two loops, precisely similar in every respect, as a and b, Fig. 19, then bring i in front of a, so as to make both loops correspond, and pass them over the ob-iect to be tied, tightening the ends; if this is properly done, the knot will not dip, although surrounding a tolerably smooth cylindrical object, as a pillar, pole, etc. This knot is employed by surgeons in reducing dislocations of the last joint of the thumb, and by sailor* in great part of the standing rigging The loop which is formed when a cable is passed around a post or tree to secure a vessel near shore, is fastened by what sailors term two half hitches, which is simply a clove hitch made by the end of the rope which is passed around the post or tree, and then made to describe the clove hitch around that part of it-self which is tightly strained.

Fig. 19.

3118. From the tying of knots we. may pass on to the tying over of bottles, preserves, jars, etc.; the object with which this operation is performed is either to prevent the access of air or the escape or entrance of moisture; the act itself is so very simple as to require no explanation; but a few words may be said on the choice of material, which should be varied, so as to suit the exigencies of each particular case. When a vessel of spirit is to be tied over, leather is frequently selected - a very erroneous practice, as the vapour of spirit passes readily through that substance, but cannot penetrate bladder, which should be invariably used for the purpose. So effectually is spirit confined by bladder, that when weak spirits are put into bladders or into vessels tied over with bladder, and allowed to remain sometime, they are strengthened, as the vapour of the water passes away, that of the spirit being retained.

3119. Bladder, or other animal membranes of the same nature, in a moist and flaccid state, are usually selected for tying over preserves and jams, for which they are well adapted; should it be impracticable to obtain them, the waxed paper described in 3111 is a very good substitute. Many persons place a thin piece of oiled paper in the jar resting on the jam, in addition to tying it down; this assists in excluding air and preventing mouldiness, but we have found a piece of very thin paper moistened with white of egg much more efficacious. The thin sheet-lead used for lining the interior of tea-chests, or stout tin-foil, is very advantageously used in tying down vessels containing specimens of natural history preserved in epirits, as they effectually prevent the escape of the latter for a long series of years. The plan usually pursued is to tie the cork over first with a single bladder, then with the metal, and finally with a second piece of bladder, which is afterwards covered with black paint.

3120. The tying up of parcels in paper is an operation which is seldom neatly performed by persons whose occupations have not given them great facilities for constant practice. Wheth-er the paper be wrapped around the objects, as is the case usually when it is much larger than sufficient to enclose them, or merely folded over itself, as is done by druggists, who cut the paper to the required size, it is important that the breadth of the paper should be no longer than sufficient to enable it to be folded over the ends of the object enclosed, without passing over the opposite side: it is impossible to make a neat or close parcel with paper which is too broad; excess in length may be readily disposed of by wrapping it round; but excess of breadth should be cut away. With regard to turning in the ends the mode adopted by grocers is the best. The most common cause of failure in parcels is their being badly corded; we will, therefore (however unnecessary the description of so simple a performance may appear to those already acquainted with it), describe the most readily-acquired mode of cording.

3121. Let a single knot be made in the end of the cord, which is then passed round the box or parcel. This knotted end is now tied by a single hitch round the middle of the cord (Fig 20) and the whole pulled tight. The cord itself is then carried at right angles round the end of the parcel, and where it crosses the transverse cord on the bottom of the box (Fig. 21), it should, if the parcel is heavy and requires to be firmly secured, be passed over the cross cord, then back underneath it, and pulled tightly, then, over itself; lastly, under the cross cord, and on around the other end of the box. When it reaches the top it must be secured by passing it under that part of the cord which runs lengthways (a, Fig. 20) pulling it very tight, and fastening it by two half hitches round itself. The great cause

Fig. 20.

Fig. 21.

of parcels becoming loose is the fact of the cord being often fastened to one of the transverse parts (as b, Fig. 20) instead of the piece running lengthways, and in this case it invariably becomes loose. The description may perhaps be rendered clearer by the aid of the figures, which exhibit the top and bottom of a box corded as described. The cords, however, are shown in a loose state to allow their arrangement to be perceived more easily.