"Pearl inlaying" is the name given to a process by which pieces of pearl are attached to the surfaces of metal and sometimes of papier-machn. Mother-of-pearl, known also as pearl oyster and white pearl, is chiefly used for the purpose. It has a clear white surface covered witli minute grooves which decompose and reflect the light, imparting a number of beautiful tints. Aurora shell is used; this has a wrinkled appearance and is known also by its various colours. It is made from the shell of the mollusc known as the sea-ear or ear-shell. Another pearl used for the purpose comes from the green snail shell; this is distinguished by its glistening shades of green, yellow, and pink, blended together. In preparing the pearl for inlaying, the rough shells are cut with fine saws, the pieces being then ground on both sides on a grindstone until of the requisite thickness. With a pair of ordinary scissors the pearl is now cut into the form of leaves, flowers, etc., or when many pieces of the same size and shape are required, a die press operated by foot-power may be employed. Another method by which a number of similar pieces may be obtained consists in gluing the several thicknesses together and, holding the composite lump in a vice, shaping with a fine saw.

Files and drills also assist in the shaping. Soaking in water will separate the pieces, from which the glue can then be washed. To prepare the iron or other material to receive the pearl, it should he well cleaned and then coated with lampblack worked up with varnish. When this is thoroughly dry, a coat of black japan is applied, and when this is tacky the pieces of pearl are pressed on with the finger. Being left two or three hours in a hot oven, the japan dries, and then the whole is varnished and again stoved, this process being repeated several times. The varnish should be applied thickly, so as to bring up the surrounding surface to the level of the pearl; the varnish is scraped off the latter with a knife when the stoving operations are finished. The pearl is then polished with pumice-stone and water, and the varnish is rubbed smooth with very fine and wet pumice powder. The article now has the appearance of being inlaid, if the film of varnish applied is sufficiently thick. It is obvious that the whole process is not one of real inlaying. The next stages of the work can be successfully carried out only by a person possessed of an eye for the artistic.

The pieces of pearl are made to assume the forms of flowers, etc., their stems and leaves being-sketched in with a camel-hair pencil dipped in gold-size or in a mixture of varnish and turpentine. When tacky, gold-leaf is applied, superfluous gold being rubbed off with a piece of silk when the size or varnish is dry. The flowers and leaves are further touched up with paint, and the job is finished by coating with the very best varnish.