_Queries on Dr. Diamond's Collodion Process._--Will you oblige me by
informing DR. DIAMOND through your valuable publication, that I am, in
common with many others, extremely indebted to him for his collodion, and
would esteem it a favour if he would answer the following Queries, viz.:
1st. He says, in answer to a previous Query, that "nitrate of potassa" is
_not_ formed in his process. Now I wish to ask if (as the iodide of silver
is redissolved in iodide of potassium) it is _not_ formed when the plate is
plunged into the nitrate silver bath, as the nitrate decomposes the iodide
of potassium?
2nd. How long will the collodion, according to his formulae, keep, as
collodion made with iodide of silver generally decomposes quickly.
3rdly. Why does he prohibit _washed_ ether?
4thly. Does he think cyanide of potassium would do as well as the iodide,
to redissolve the iodide of silver, iodide of potassium being at present so
dear?
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5thly. In his paper process, does not the soaking in water after iodizing
merely take away a portion of iodides of silver and potassium from the
paper; or, if not, what end is answered by it?