708 THEORY OF ARCHITECTURE. Book II.

sions, Lr.ickof ing, as has alrendy been described in the section Joinery
(2079,
et srq.), must
be provided, of the penoral form of the cornice or cove, or other work, and on tliis the
})lastering is to be forme;!. On this, when roughed out, the work is run with wooden
nioukls, luiving zinc or co[iper edges, so as to give the general outline of the cornice. If
enrichments are used in it, they are cast in plaster of Paris, and afterwards fixed with that
material in the spaces left for them to occupy. These enrichments are previously modelled,
and from the model a matrix is formed, as for all other plaster casting. Great nicety is
required in ail the operations relative to the moulding and fixing of cornicps. and most
especially that the ornaments be firmly fixed by screws or other means, that they may not
be detached from their places by partial settlements of the building, and cause accidents
to the occupiers of the rooms where they are used.
22o0a. IScltnitic lime was the invention, about 18-56, of General Scott, R.E., who
observed that limestone capable of conversion by burning into a liydraulic lime, might
be able to furnish a good cement by simply allowing a small portion of sulphuric acid gas
to pass into the kiln during the turning of the lime. The process, since about 1870, is
explained as consisting of carefully mixing with the water used in the preparati(m of the
mortar a small quantity' of plaster of Paris or gypsum, or green vitriol. The lime may
then be ground in an ordinary mortar-mill with the mixture into a creamy paste for three
or four minutes
;
the sand, burnt clay, or other ingredients may then be added, and the
whole thoroughly ground for ten minutes or more. The lime is a good buff in colour.
With double the usual quantity of sand the tensile strength of the mortar is increased
fourfold. It sets rapidly and well, and as
"
stuff" in plastering it effects a considerable
saving in time over that usually made from lime.
"
Selenitic mortar saves half the lime,
is four times as strong, and sets in a quarter of the time of common mortar."
2250/a a rcnderivg plaster, for superseding the use of lime and hair mortar in the
plastering of walls and ceilings, has been brought forward by A. G. Barham, of Eridg-
water. It is stated to be very tough and strong, not liable to crack or swell, and is applied
without hair, direct to brick walls or lathwork. The surface dries and hardens rapidly,
and it chd be painted or papered at once, as there is nothing in the plaster to injure
either of tiie processes. When dry it is of itself a good grey in colour. For outside
stucco it is also stated to be a safe material, and is likewise free fiom vegetation and
colouring.
22o0t'. Adamant cement has last year
(1887)
been introduced into this country, at
Birmingham, from Syracuse, New York, by a company. It is a wall plaster and cement-,
and is manufactured in three qualities. No. 1, 2, and Chromolith. The two first are used
as for ordinary plastering, and the third in p'ace of the superior Parian cement, at a less
cost. As all the bright mineral and vegetable pigments can be used with it, floorings,
mosaics, and mantels are produced; also tiles, marble slabs, terra-cotta, and other articles
of a similar character. It is very hard; costs but little more than lime plaster; the
room plastered one day can be used the next ; is easily applied, even to iron lath or wire
work
;
is impervious to wind or weather; smooth to wurk over for painting, absorbs but
I'ttle oil, the colours do not change, requires no sizing, and from a sanitary point of
view is of great value. It is also considered to have fireproof qualities.
2250(?. Stucco is a species of plastering which is sometimes subsequently worked to
resemble marble. There are two sorts of stucco, those made of limes, and those made of
plaster. The former are often classed under the name of cements, but their disagreeable
colour prevents their being used for ornamental decoration. They serve, however, to form
the foundations for the better class whenever humidity is to be feared. The latter are
generally made of lime, mixed with calcareous powder, chalk, plaster, and oth^r substances,
iu such a manner as to obtain in a short time a solid surface, which may be coloured,
painted, and polished with such perfection as to allow of its being used instead of more
expensive materials.
22o0e.';The Italians usually execute their stuccoes in three coats. The first is very coarse,
to form the renderirg. The second is much finer, and contains a larger proportion of
lime, bringing the work up to a very even close grain. The last is made of rich lime, which
has been slaked and run through a very fine sieve
;
it is allowed to stand from four to five
months, in order that every particle may be reduced to a hydrate. If the lime cannot be
kept for so great a length of time, the slaking may be assisted by beating it up very fre-
quently. "When great perfection is required, pounded white Carrara marble is mingled with
it
;
gypsum and alabaster are used for enclosed situations. Colours are obtained by mixing
with the lime such metallic oxides, &c., as the case may require. The excellence of the
work consists in the care with which the effects of the natural marbles are imitated.
22o()/'. When plaster is used inst ead of lime, it is gauged with lukewarm water, in which
size or gum has been dissolved, so as to fill up the pores, to give more consistency, and to
render it susceptible of receiving a better polish. Any colours used should be previously
dissolved in the size water. When the Tiholc of the stucco is perfectly dry, the surface is