FISH SKIN. Syn. Shark skin. The skin of the spotted dog-fish or rough hound (chien de mer, Fr.), stretched and dried. Used for polishing wood and ivory. Several other varieties of fish skin are employed in the arts. The dressed skin of the ‘rousette’ (peau de rousette, F.), is transparent, and very beautiful. Cemented on green paper, and rubbed down and polished, it is used as veneer for fancy boxes. The skins of several varieties of Squalus are also used for both the above purposes. See Shagreen.
FIVE HERBS. See Species.
FIX′ATURE Syn. Bandoline, Clysphitique, Eau collante, Fixateur, Fr. This consists of any of the simple vegetable mucilages, combined with a little spirit, to preserve it, and with a little perfume, to render it more agreeable.
Prep. 1. From carrageen, Irish, or pearl moss, soaked in cold water for an hour or two, and after being drained, and pressed dry in a clean napkin, dissolved by boiling in soft water, q. s. The decoction is strained through cambric, and when nearly cold is mixed with about 1⁄3rd or 1⁄4th of its volume of eau de Cologne or other scented spirit, with the further addition of a few drops (5 or 6) of oil of cloves. Sometimes a little brandy is added to the mucilage, and when it is intended for present use, as is common with home manufactures, the spirit is frequently omitted altogether. 1⁄4 oz.
of the prepared moss is fully enough for 3⁄4 pint of strained decoction, if rightly managed.
2. From quince seed boiled in water, as the last. 1⁄4 oz. yields nearly 3⁄4 pint of strained decoction.
3. Pale gum arabic (picked), 11⁄2 oz.; rose water, 2 fl. oz.; pure water, 3 fl. oz.; dissolve.
4. Gum arabic, 31⁄4 oz.; water, 1⁄2 pint; dissolve, and drop in eau de Cologne, gradually, until the cloudiness at first occasioned ceases to be removed by agitation; the next day decant the clear portion. All of the above are very superior, and keep well.
5. (Redwood.) Gum tragacanth, 11⁄2 dr.; water, 7 oz.; proof spirit, 3 oz.; otto of roses, 10 drops; macerate 24 hours, and strain.
6. Malt, 7 oz.; hot water (that will barely permit the finger to be held in it without pain), 1⁄2 pint; infuse in a covered jug or basin, gently press out the liquid, and as soon as cold add of proof spirit (or brandy or Cologne water), 21⁄2 fl. oz. and strain.