168 W. Crookes on the Wax-paper Photographic Process. 



ered on to the fluid. As soon as the wax is absorbed, which 

 takes place almost directly, they are to be lifted up with rather 

 a quick movement, held by one corner, and allowed to drain 

 until the wax, ceasing to run off, congeals on the surface. When 

 the sheets are first taken up for this operation, they should be 

 briefly examined, and such as shew the water mark, contain any 

 black spots,* or have any thing unusual about their appearance, 

 should be rejected. 



29. The paper in this stage will contain far more wax than 

 necessary ; the excess may be removed, by placing the sheets 

 singly between blotting paper (14), and ironing them ; but this 

 is wasteful, and the loss may be avoided by placing on each side 

 of the waxed sheet two or three sheets of unwaxed photographic 

 paper, and then ironing the whole between blotting paper; there 

 will generally be enough wax on the centre sheet to saturate 

 fully those next to it on each side, and partially, if not entirely y 

 the others. Those that are imperfectly waxed may be made the 

 outer sheets of the succeeding set. Finally, each sheet must be 

 separately ironed between blotting paper, until the glistening 

 patches of wax are absorbed. 



30. It is of the utmost consequence that the temperature of 

 the iron should not exceed that of boiling water. Before using, 

 I always dip it into water until the hissing entirely ceases. This 

 is one of the most important points in the whole process, but 

 one which it is very difficult to make beginners properly appre- 

 ciate. The disadvantages of having too hot an iron, are not 

 apparent until an after stage, while the saving of time and 

 trouble is a great temptation to beginners. It is to a neglect of 

 this point that I am inclined to attribute most of the faults so 

 commonly laid to the charge of this beautiful process ; such as 

 gravelly appearance, or want of smoothness in the lights, and 

 quick decomposition in the developing solution. 



31. A well waxed sheet of paper, when viewed by obliquely 

 reflected light, ought to present a perfectly uniform glazed appear- 

 ance on one side, while the other should be rather duller; there 

 must be no shining patches on any part of the surface, nor 

 should any irregularities be observed on examining the paper 

 with a black ground placed behind; seen by transmitted light, 

 it will appear opalescent, but there should be no approach to a 

 granular structure. The color of a pile of waxed sheets is slightly 

 bluish. 



32. The paper, having undergone this preparatory operation, 

 is ready for iodizing ; this is effected by completely immersing it 

 in an aqueous solution of an alkaline iodid, either pure or mixed 

 with some analogous salt. 



* These spots have been analyzed by Mr. Malone ; he finds them to consist, not 

 of iron, as is generally supposed, but of small pieces of brass. I have also exam- 

 ined them myself with a like result. 



