Seaweeds rank among the most beautiful natural objects, while the
work of collection and mounting is delightful occupation for the
leisure hour. The best time to collect is when the tide has just
commenced to flow, after the lowest ebb, as the seaweeds are then in
good condition. Mounting is done by immersing a piece of paper
just below the surface of the water, and supporting it by the left
hand ; the algae is then placed on the paper and kept in its place by
the left thumb, while the right hand is employed in spreading out
the branches with a bone knitting-needle or a camel-hair pencil. If
the branches are too numerous, which will be readily ascertained by
lifting the specimen out of the water for a moment, pruning should
be freely resorted to, as much of its beauty will depend upon the
distinctness of the branching. Pruning is best performed by cutting
off erect and alternate branches, by means of a sharp-pointed pair of
scissors, close to their junction with the main stem. When the
specimen is laid out, the paper should be raised gradually in a slightly
sloping direction, care being taken to prevent the branches from
running together. The delicate species are much improved in
appearance by reimmersing their extremities before entirely with-
drawing them from the water. The papers should then be laid flat
upon coarse, bibulous paper, only long enough to absorb superfluous
moisture. If placed in an oblique direction, the branches are liable
to run together. They should then be removed and placed upon a
sheet of thick white blotting paper, and a piece of washed and pressed
calico placed over each specimen, and then another layer of thin
HOUSEHOLD ORNAMENTATION.
253
blotting paper above the calico. Several of these layers are pressed
in the ordinary way, light pressure only being used at first. The
papers, but not the calico, may be removed in six hours, and after-
wards changed every twenty-four hours until dry. If the calico be
not washed, it frequently adheres to the algae, and if the calico be
wrinkled, it produces corresponding marks on the paper. The most
convenient sizes of paper to use are those made by cutting a sheet of
paper, of any size, into sixteen, twelve, or four equal pieces.
Cut-work is revived in modern artistic needlework. The patterns
are in the quaint designs of Venice lace. A pure white or ecru linen
is chosen. A pillow-case linen with an even thread is preferred, and
the design to be wrought is usually stamped as a border and is oftener
an insertion than an edge. The pattern is outlined in button-hole
stitch and the ground of the design is then cut away and rich trac-
ing in open work of graceful arabesques and flowers left. In many
of the English castles there are still counterpanes and pillow-cases in
ancient cut-work. The needlework seems naturally adapted for this
purpose. A counterpane of this kind of work thrown over a tinted
silk or satinet quilt would be much richer in effect than those so often
seen in antique lace. A coverlet copied from one wrought by Mary
Queen of Scots would be charmingly suggestive of Scottish romance,
and probably tasteful, as the employment of high art in needlework
is only the revival of an ancient practice.
Page 163
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Seaweeds rank among the most beautiful natural objects, while the work of collection and mounting is delightful occupation for the leisure hour. The best time to collect is when the tide has just commenced to flow, after the lowest ebb, as the seaweeds are then in good condition. Mounting is done by immersing a piece of paper just below the surface of the water, and supporting it by the left hand ; the algae is then placed on the paper and kept in its place by the left thumb, while the right hand is employed in spreading out the branches with a bone knitting-needle or a camel-hair pencil. If the branches are too numerous, which will be readily ascertained by lifting the specimen out of the water for a moment, pruning should be freely resorted to, as much of its beauty will depend upon the distinctness of the branching. Pruning is best performed by cutting off erect and alternate branches, by means of a sharp-pointed pair of scissors, close to their junction with the main stem. When the specimen is laid out, the paper should be raised gradually in a slightly sloping direction, care being taken to prevent the branches from running together. The delicate species are much improved in appearance by reimmersing their extremities before entirely withdrawing them from the water. The papers should then be laid flat upon coarse, bibulous paper, only long enough to absorb superfluous moisture. If placed in an oblique direction, the branches are liable to run together. They should then be removed and placed upon a sheet of thick white blotting paper, and a piece of washed and pressed calico placed over each specimen, and then another layer of thin
blotting paper above the calico. Several of these layers are pressed in the ordinary way, light pressure only being used at first. The papers, but not the calico, may be removed in six hours, and afterwards changed every twenty-four hours until dry. If the calico be not washed, it frequently adheres to the algae, and if the calico be wrinkled, it produces corresponding marks on the paper. The most convenient sizes of paper to use are those made by cutting a sheet of paper, of any size, into sixteen, twelve, or four equal pieces.
Cut-work is revived in modern artistic needlework. The patterns are in the quaint designs of Venice lace. A pure white or ecru linen is chosen. A pillow-case linen with an even thread is preferred, and the design to be wrought is usually stamped as a border and is oftener an insertion than an edge. The pattern is outlined in button-hole stitch and the ground of the design is then cut away and rich tracing in open work of graceful arabesques and flowers left. In many of the English castles there are still counterpanes and pillow-cases in ancient cut-work. The needlework seems naturally adapted for this purpose. A counterpane of this kind of work thrown over a tinted silk or satinet quilt would be much richer in effect than those so often seen in antique lace. A coverlet copied from one wrought by Mary Queen of Scots would be charmingly suggestive of Scottish romance, and probably tasteful, as the employment of high art in needlework is only the revival of an ancient practice.