[We have much pleasure in inserting this communication, as it may be
the means of drawing fresh attention to the other substances mentioned
by Le Gray; for we are strongly of opinion that, notwithstanding the
advantages of collodion, there are other _media_ which may prove
preferable.--ED.]
_The Soiling of the Fingers_ may be entirely avoided by a simple expedient.
Use a slightly concave horizontal dish for sensitizing, and a depth of
solution not sufficient to wet the back of the collodionized plate, and
after the impressed plate {163} has been placed on the levelled stand and
developed, proceed thus: instead of holding the plate by the fingers to
perform the subsequent processes, take a strip of glass (say five inches
long and one and a half wide for the ordinary portrait size), put a single
drop of water on it, and carefully pass it beneath the developed plate;
lift the glass thereby; the adhesion is sufficiently firm to sustain the
plate in any required position for the remaining manipulations till it is
washed and finished.