New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-01-26
The Magnesium Lighs-How Photographs
may be Taken at nidnight.

The art of taking photographs by means Of a
magnesium light although not entirely new in Europe
Is almost wholly unknown on this side tho Atlantic.
Nevertheless it was established by means OF expert
ment two years ago in London and quite recently In
York that Il Is no longer necessary to have sun
light or indeed any other light save that which may be
produced BY ysrd or two OF magnesium WIRE 70 taAe
positive picture like the dsguerreotype or negative
one, as 10 the case OF the photograph
Indeed the metal ITSELF and the purposes 1t may be
made to subserve are 80 new TO ne general public that
statement Of few of Its qualities may not be out OF
place. 1t Is brilliant metal. having almost nlver
Wilderness slightly brittle az common temperatures bat
exceedingly malleable at heat little below redness.
1t is quite light, having specific gravity OF La, or
about one-sixth the weight Of the bulk Of silver
Il melts at full red heat and volaaizes at about the
same temperature zinc. Its lnster remains unim
paired in perfectly dry atmosphere. bat LETT exposed
In damp or humid air il furnishes. and becomes
covered with film OF magnesia. Its most important
property as far Is known, Is the facility with
which Il ignes enter into combustion and the mar
veous brilancy ard peculiar qualities Of the hight II
emits Profs. Bunsen and Roscoe discovered that a
magnesium wire ore onehundredth OF an lnch IN ila,
eter would give light equal to "a stearin candles oil
The light produced by burning magnesium wire Is
applied 10 Photographic uses as follows piece OF TN
about 20 inches high Is bent into semicfcnsr
having pan at the bottom 10 receive the asbes OF lhe
wire and being IL cone shaped at the top VIII kho
funnel or chimney attached forehe purpose OF
Of the fumes into the external air INSIDE OF Ins h
y
behind the reflector the outside OF the un CLOCK
work lamp from which tube extends through the re-
Hector. curying downward. The magnesium wire,
two or three strands being firmly twisted toestser iof
the oarpose is inserted into an orhce In the BACK ar
OF he lamp where Il is caught BY the machinery ana
carried through the tube at the end OF when
nited The lamp itself is wound up win key. ne
clock and the machinery Is pat IN motion or stopped
will by means OF spring or lever, while Its rapidity
controlled By means Of wings attached somewhat aier
the ranner Of the governor Of stean-engine ana 70
arranged &c TO be or less affected by atmospheric
resistance. .,. g, .noh a
manner a. 20 place Il wholly under the control OF the
s,ts The intensity Of Hight IL governed BY the size Of
tss wire ana the rapdity with which burned, and
a. 4. au,ed or concentrated BY means OF the reflector
a nosiiiye o,eturs may DO taken In frmn one 20 I've
seconds; but negative requrss longer time. say 40
:, IN seoonds or In some cases, minute. owing 10
~, rs Of the picture and the focus Of the lena whether
- hs onr or s6ort The light which II quite daz-
n ~ mat OF the monday sun, is generally thrown
upo the subject ct an angle o. nearly Is degrees and
* s,es of tic sitter are carefully turned away from IT,
that they may not DO injured By lie briaisncy.
NJ a A. Holmes. whoes operating groom u In Bar.
,.m,. Nnseum 10 entitled 10 the honor Of introducing
this apparatus % the Esv.York public and We believe
took tSs rs pictnrss By means Of this agency on the
western eoutinsat