SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY. 
677 
tioiis did not possess, and that a medal was awarded for other goods in which 
such defects, or so-called defects, actually did exist. But the most comical 
of all these things is the reason given by the jurors for withdrawing a medal 
promised for “ the most artistic picture or pictures.” Of the five adjudi- 
cators, not one is an artist, and with the exception of one, or perhaps two, 
all are exhibitors, while four of the five are well known to be most intimate 
personal friends. Amongst these friends and jurors who exhibit is a gentle- 
man who writes critical articles for the Photographic News and the Photo- 
graphic Journal — the two editors of which journals are also jurors. On 
paying a second visit to the exhibition we were pleased to perceive that this 
gentleman’s productions had been judiciously labelled with tickets, stating 
that they were not intended for competition. 
Photography and Decorative Art. — Mr. W. H. Smith, of Haverstock Hill, 
has patented a new process of photographing on wood for decorative pur- 
poses, which may be briefly described. The veneers or panels intended to 
be photographed upon are coated with gelatine, or other animal or vegetable 
size, and when a good surface has been obtained, it is next coated with 
gelatino-chloride of silver, and allowed to dry. They are then put in contact 
with the negative, and printed in the usual way. They are washed, after- 
wards toned, and, lastly, fixed v/ith sulphocyanide of ammonium. Wood of 
any description, prepared in the foregoing way, will keep without discolouring 
for a long period. 
A New Developer. — A very valuable suggestion, emanating from Mr. 
Carey Lea, has brought forward a new and superior developer, the best 
formula for which, perhaps, is one given by a clerical correspondent writing 
to the British Journal of Photography, who says : — “ Dissolve ten grains of 
Nelson’s gelatine in an ounce of Beaufoy’s acetic acid (that at lOd. per lb.). 
Make your new developer of the strength you are accustomed to use — of 
course without any acid ; and to each ounce of it add one drachm of the 
gelatinised acetic acid. You will be pleased with the result, and with its 
cleanliness and ease of preparation.” This developer will be found to bring 
out the images with unusual vigour and brilliancy, and may be retained on 
the plate for a long time without “fogging.” Where from unavoidable 
difficulties under-exposure has arisen, this quality alone will render it 
invaluable. 
Impure Chemicals. — The Chemical Neivs, in a letter from Mr. Ticheborne, 
asks, in reference to bromide of potassium, if it is a fact that “a small 
quantity of the iodide makes the bromide crystallize in much larger crystals ? ” 
The writer says, “ Although French and German bromine is rarely or ever 
quite free from iodine, any excess of iodide contained in the bromide is readily 
removed ; but, practically, traces are not easily separated. After the sepa- 
ration of all but traces of iodine, the salt then forms very sharp and well- 
defined cubes, far more so than the iodide, the opacity, or transparency, and 
size of the crystal depending upon the inanipulator. In support of this con- 
clusion, I operated upon a c|uantity of bromine manufactured in Scotland a 
few months since as an experiment. This bromine did not give the faintest 
indication of the presence of iodine on the addition of starch acidified with 
hydrochloric acid and nitrite of potassa, but furnished large cubes of great 
beauty.” This is a matter which v/ill interest photographers. In conclusion. 
