The glass is held between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand by the corner 1, Fig. A., 3 and 4 towards and nearest the body, and as nearly level as possible. I find this the best position to hold the glass; as, in the case of the larger ones, they can be rested on the end of the little finger, which should be placed as near the edge as possible. Then, from the collodion vial, pour on the collodion, commencing a little beyond the centre and towards 1, continuing pouring in the same place until the collodion nearly reaches the thumb--the glass slightly inclined that way; then let the glass incline towards 4, and continue to pour towards 2. As soon as enough has been put on to liberally flow the glass, rapidly and steadily raise corner 1, and hold it directly over 3, where the excess will flow oil into the mouth of the vial, which should be placed there to receive it. In case of a speck of dust falling at the time of coating, it can often be prevented from injuring the surface by changing the direction of the flowing collodion, so as to stop it in some place where it will not be seen when the picture is finished. Now, with the thumb and finger of the right hand, I wipe off any drops or lines of collodion that may be found upon the _outer_ edge or side of the glass, being careful not to disturb that connected with the face. When the coating has become sufficiently dry, so that when I put my finger against it, it does not break the film, but only leaves a print, I put it into the silvering bath [_see_ Fig. p. 34]. I generally try corners 2 and 3. The time, from the first commencement of pouring on collodion to its being put into the bath, should not exceed about half a minute, at a temperature of 60°. The finger test is the best I have found. The glass is to be rested on a dipper [_see_ Fig. p. 34], and placed steadily and firmly into the nitrate of silver bath--this in a dark room. It should not be allowed to rest for an instant as it is entering the solution, or it would cause a line. The time for the glass to remain in the bath depends upon the age and amount of silver the bath contains; for a new solution, from _two_ to _three_ minutes will be sufficient to give the proper action. If it be old, three to five minutes will be better. When it is properly coated, it can be raised up and taken by the corner, and allowed to drain for a few seconds, and then should be placed in the tablet, and is ready for the camera. The time of exposure will depend upon the amount of light present. If the bath is newly mixed, and the collodion recently iodized, it should produce a sufficiently strong impression by an exposure of about one-third of the time required for a daguerreotype. If the collodion has been iodized some time, and the bath is old, about one-half of the time necessary to produce a daguerreian image will be required.