394 
POPULAR SCIENCE REVIEW. 
“ So far as the process is concerned, the operation is perfectly easy, and 
there appears to be no difficulty in getting good results ; but there is one 
source of failure to be guarded against, which is in the preparation of the 
ivory itself. In our first experiments we used the tablets of ivory as sold by 
the artist’s colourman, ready prepared for miniature-painting, the surface 
being apparently everything that could be desired. When the picture was 
finished, however, we were wofully disappointed ; by some means or other 
a factitious surface had been given to the tablet, without really removing the 
saw-marks, which now appeared in deep but fine ridges, cpiite sufficient to 
spoil the effect, and give the appearance, besides, of a print which had not 
been in proper contact with the negative in the pressure-frame. 
“ In subsequent operations we found it desirable to prepare the ivory our- 
selves. This is very simply done. A suitable piece having been selected, as 
free from grain as possible, all traces of saw-marks must be removed by 
means of a steel scraper or a piece of glass. This being done, the ivory is 
placed on a piece of board, a few drops of clean water, and a little very fine 
pumice powder, quite free from grit, applied. The surface is then carefully 
smoothed by this, rubbing all over with a circular motion. A glass muller 
is the right thing .to use, we believe ; but we have found a new bung cork 
answer admirably. When every trace of mark or scratch of any kind is 
removed, the tablet is ready for use. If a little cuttle-fish bone in powder 
be used dry to finish with, the texture of the surface will be improved. 
There is, of course, a difficulty in printing on ivory not easily overcome 
entirely. It cannot be turned back like paper in order to examine the 
progress of printing. We have found, however, that if it be thin and care 
be used, it is possible to raise it up sufficiently to judge of the progress with- 
out any danger, and have done so in all the experiments we have tried. 
“ It is important to remember that for the purposes of the miniature- 
painter, a light, delicate, sharp impression, as fuU of detail as possible, and 
without dark shadows, is required. A soft negative will generally answer 
the purpose best. 
“ By using the same manipulations throughout, employing a prepared 
block of boxwood, the photograph may be printed on wood for' the engraver, 
more simply and efficiently than by any other plan we know.” 
Photographing from Dead Eyes. — ^A large number of absurd rumours on 
this subject have appeared in our home and foreign contemporaries from 
time to time during the last few years. These marvellous stories, however, 
hacl been confined to the kind of paragraph which is used chiefly on the 
score of the merit it possesses of filling a stray corner when other more 
important matter is not handy or come-at-able. The editor of the Morning 
Post, however, has been betrayed into an error truly comical by devoting a 
leading article to the subject, in which his we-ship sagely asserts “our” 
faith in the story. The stupidity of the affair is seen when we tell our 
readers that the said image from a dead eye of a murdered person, which the 
photographer is said to have obtained, was on the cornea of the eye. Just 
fancy the extent of the aforesaid editor’s scientific knowledge. The photo- 
grapher concerned has since written to a contemporary describing the whole 
affair as a blunder. 
Washing Positive Proofs. — Our Spanish contemporary El Eco de la Foto- 
