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MARCH 16, 1883. J THE PHOTOGRAPHIC NEWS. 175 colour, purity of high lights, and wonderful translucency in the dense portions of the prints exhibited, were certainly a distinct advance on any gelatine transparencies hitherto brought before the Society. Mr. J. M. Turnbull advocated collodio-bromide dry plates as peculiarly suitable for lantern transparencies. The second paper, entitled “ Notes on Green Fog,” was read by Mr, J. M. TtRNEUI.L (see page 167). Mr. M’KEAN supported Mr. Turnbull in his opinion that much of the evil known as green fog was caused by the employment of a hard repellant gelatine. Mr. Tamkin stated that green fog had never occurred in his practice, but he had procured a negative which exhibited the evil in a marked degree. Dr. HUNTER wondered if the source of the gelatine had anything to do with the production of some of the evils associated with modern dry plates. While in Paris some time ago he was amazed at the distinctions there drawn between the various gelatines derived from bones. In that city he had noticed samples of gelatine from sheep-bones, ox-bones, horse bones, and bones of other animals ; the most beautiful in appearance, and which was used for choice decorative purposes, was the gelatine obtained from the bones of the rat—which animal of an unusually large size, was found in enormous numbers in the sewers. The CHAIRMAN tendered the thanks of the meeting to Mr. Turnbull for his paper. Mr. James Howie exhibited some prints from negatives taken by burning magnesium in oxygen. They were portraits of Mr. Norman Macbeth, R.S.A, and Mr. Alexander Matheson, and were very favourably received. Mr. A. CRAIG-CIRISTIE, F.R.S., directed attention to the fact that the combustion of magnesium in oxygen was sometimes attended with explosive violence, and recommended that precautions be taken to guard against the possible consequences of such a mishap. Mr. Robert Murray, C.E., exhibited some exquisite snow scapes taken recently upon coffee-plates. After a vote of thanks to the Chair, the meeting terminated. Manchester Photooraphic Society. The ordinary monthly meeting was held at the Mechanics’ Institute, on the 8th instant, Mr. John Pollitt in the chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and Messrs. Everett Briggs and Benj. B. Wilson elected members of the Society. The Hon. Secretary described the working of the Stanno- type process, and passed round a gelatine mould covered with tinfoil, and prints from the same. The simplicity of the process was much admired. A discussion followed, in which Mr. A. Brothers, Mr. R. Atherton, and others took part. Mr. W. J. Chadwick passed round a negative (with print) taken on one of Professor Stebbing's films, the result being very satisfactory. Mr. J. Greatorex showed two transparencies on 8} by 6 plates of his own preparation, which were covered with spots, both opaque and transparent, as well as an unexposed plate from the same emulsion, which was perfectly clean and free from dust. He attributed the spots to the iron matter in the water with which it was washed, as, on making subsequent batches, and using only distilled water, the plates developed perfectly clean. He also stated that he had lately tried the hydrokinone developer, as recommended by Captain Abney, and more recently by Mr. E. Howard Farmer ; but he could not speak favourably of it, as in every case the result had been stained films, although with the ferrous oxalate developer the transparency was all that could be desired. He could not remove the stain by any method without damage to the picture. Mr. J. Schofield exhibited a few capital enlargements on Morgan’s argentic-bromide paper, and stated that, as several of the membershad expressed a desire to see his method of working, he had come prepared to show them. Presuming the picture to be enlarged is on a plate 44 by 3}, he used the sciopticon ; and to prevent the necessity of having to turn down the light whilst the sensitive paper was being put into position, he had made a box which held the lantern, with an opening in the front for the lens, and a sleeve bole at the back for regulating the light and arrangements, top and bottom, for admission of air, but through which no light escapes. The negative having been placed in position, and focussed on a sheet of white paper on a drawing board, hung on the wall, the lid of the box was fastened on, and a sheet of ruby glass in front of the box placed before the lens, and the paper was then attached to the drawing-board. He (Mr. Schofield) stated that in his experience the results were much finer if the exposure were made on the dry paper rather than when wet; but it was difficult to get the paper flat upon the board by using pins. By cutting a groove down each side of the board, and having a strong wire spring to fall over from the out side, the paper was drawn tight and flat. The arrangements were very simple, and, as evidenced by the work shown by Mr. Schofield, most effective. The Hon. Secretary read a letter from Mr. W. Harding Warner, asking the opinion of the members, “ if an ad libitum quantity of plates might be fixed in one bath of hyposulphite of soda witbout a deposit of sulphur upon the films.” The Chairman and Mr. Atherton both stated they used the bath for a great many plates—in fact, until it became exhausted—without detriment to the finished negatives. Mr. Chadwick then exhibited the “eclipse ” light, kindly sent down for exhibition by Mr. McLellan, of Glasgow, and a new camera by Mr. Hare. A vote of thanks having been passed to those who had contributed to the evening’s enjoyment, the meeting was ad journed to April, when Mr. A. Brothers, F.R.A.S., will show how the camera may be used in connection with the microscope. Halifax Photooraphic Club. On Tuesday evening, March 6th, the ordinary meeting was held, Mr. W. C. Williams (vice-president) in the chair. The minutes of last meeting being read and confirmed, Mr. Williams exhibited a very beautiful paper print from an enlargement 15 by 12, from a gelatine transparency 8} by 6], which was enlarged with Ross’s ordinary symmetrical full-plate lens, and was really very fine and sharp to the edge. He also exhibited a new idea for a camera-stand, which was not quite complete, but will be fully described when he has finished it, and will be a great advantage and convenience to travelling photo graphers. Several places of interest were mentioned by other members for tours and summer excursions. Amateur Photographic Association. A council meeting of this Society was held March 8th, Mr. James Glaisher, F.R.S., in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and con firmed, the following members were elected :—Mrs. Marion Abbott, Messrs. J. H. T. Ellerbeck, J. W. Baxendale, Gerard Smith, R. B. White, C. H. James, Theodule Perrot, J. Minto, J. S. Byers, H. H. O'Farrell, and A. Tagliaferro. The Secretary then laid before the meeting the prizes which had been awarded at the annual meeting, which were as follows: —For C. Stephens, a large silver goblet; S. Norman, a large album elegantly bound ; F. Beasley, a water colour drawing in frame by “ Earp”; W. S. Hobson, an album elegantly bound ; F. S. Schwabe, an oil painting in frame by “ Masters ”; G. Brook, Junr., a silver goblet; R. Leventhorpe, a silver goblet; W. Adcock, an oil painting in frame by “ Masters ’’; G. W. Palmer, Lord de Ros, W. Vanner, each an album elegantly bound; and W. Muller, an oil painting in frame by “ Me Evoy.” These were approved by the meeting. A vote of thanks to the Chairman was carried unanimously. o-—— Ualk in the Studio. South London Photograthic Society.—The Hon. Secretary, Mr. F. A. Bridge, has issued the following circular to members — “ Dear sir,—At the next meeting of the Society, to be held at the House of the Society of Arts, John Street, Adelphi, on Thursday, April oth, at 8 o’clock, Mr. H. Trueman Wood will read a paper ‘ On the Methods by which the Vocal Organs have been Photographed.’ The following, from the question box, will also be discussed : ‘When large pictures are required, is it better to take them direct, or to take small negatives, and then enlarge them ? ’ With reference to the Artistic Competition, I have to inform you that the successful competitors for February were Mr. John Nesbit (landscape, ‘ A Rural Spot ’) and Mr. W. Cobb (figure, ‘ The Gardener ’). The subjects chosen for this