Il6 UNSTABLE ELECTRO-STATIC CONDITIONS. 



reaction of the combined particles of carbon 

 hydrogen, in the unstable organic substances of 

 gun-cotton, nitro-glycerine, gun-powder, &c. A 

 gleam of sunshine disturbs the unstable electro- 

 static condition of the nitrate of silver in combi- 

 nation with molecules of carbon and hydrogen, 

 in the organic compound substance of paper, col- 

 lodion, linen, cotton, and even of the hair and 

 skin ; and changes their molecular groupings and 

 capability of reflecting light. The molecules of 

 oxygen and hydrogen in all organic formations 

 are rendered freely movable by the excitation 

 of light, when impregnated with the nitrate of 

 silver, commonly denoted " lunar caustic." The 

 molecules of hydrogen and oxygen become united 

 and produce water, leaving the molecules of car- 

 bon revealed as a negative black, on the surface 

 of the organic body. The greater or less extent 

 of carbonization of the surface of white paper, 

 with the different resulting power of reflecting 

 light, develops the lights and shades of photo- 

 graphic pictures, which excite the admiration of 

 mankind as magical productions of sunbeams. 



Photographic pictures are really the results of 

 the chemical decomposition of organic substances, 

 corresponding to the decomposition of the human 

 skin and flesh by nitrate of silver, leaving the black 

 charcoal, and liquefying the hydrogen and oxygen 

 into water. 



A similar result of the chemical decomposition 



