Balls, Cop′ying

These have a similar composition to ‘heel-balls’ (see below ). For BLACK , the best colouring matter is lamp-black or plumbago with about half its weight of indigo; for a BRONZE-COLOUR , bronze-powder is substituted; and for a mellow BROWN , burnt terra di Sienna. These should be all in very fine powder. The semi-fluid ma is poured into small flat cylindrical moulds—paper pill-boxes answer the purpose well.—Used by artists and amateurs to copy inscriptions, monumental bra es, and other slightly raised or sunken patterns; the ball being rubbed over the paper previously laid flat on the design, and held securely in its place. They are sometimes rendered more permanent by damping the wrong side with a sponge dipped in water, strong spirit, or oil of turpentine; or by pa ing the wrong side over a hot iron held with the face upwards.