THE BOOK OF THE LANTERN. 131 



fabric like so much vermicelli. It will presently sink to 

 the bottom of the pan. Now pour off the water above it, 

 and fill up with fresh. Let the pan rest for five minutes, 

 and repeat the operation half a dozen times. The emulsion 

 must now be strained. 



A square of cambric, the size of a handkerchief, is 

 squeezed in water, and put in the colander, so as to form a 

 lining to it, with the corners hanging outside. Pour the 

 divided emulsion into this, when most of the water will 

 at once run off, and still more may be made to do so by 

 gathering up the corners of the cambric in the hands and 

 gently squeezing the pudding-like mass. Once more open 

 the cloth, and pour into the contained emulsion an ounce 

 of methylated spirit. Again squeeze up the cloth, after 

 which the gelatine shreds can be spooned up, placed in a 

 clean jar, and tied over with a light-tight cover. So ends 

 stage number two. 



There are many who say, with much truth, that the real 

 difficulty of plate-making begins after the foregoing opera- 

 tion of making the emulsion, for a great many fail in the 

 mechanical work of coating the plates, which is the next 

 and final operation. Before this is attempted the decks 

 should be cleared for action. The operator must have on 

 his table a carefully levelled piece of slate or plate glass, 

 large enough to contain at least one dozen plates, laid 

 edge to edge. He will also want a jug with a good lip 

 from which to pour the emulsion, a glass rod to guide 

 it over the plate which he is coating, and a pneumatic 

 holder. The jar of emulsion must first of all be placed in 

 the water bath at the old temperature of 96 for an hour 

 K 2 



