I have experimented with carbonate of lithia as an accelerator, and I have obtained with it rather favorable results.  However, in opposition to Mr. Wickers, I have always found that carbonate of lithia, used even in larger doses than those recommended by this author, was not sufficiently active, and that development had to be too much prolonged in order to obtain prints of good intensity.  I have also observed that the prints developed by this process were as often fogged as when I made use of carbonate of potash.  The oxides of alkaline metals or their alkaline salts are not the only accelerators susceptible of being used in pyro development.  Two oxides of the earthy alkaline metals, lime and hydrate of barytes, may also be used as accelerators.  I will not insist upon the second, which, although giving some results, should be rejected from photographic practice on account of its caustic properties, and of its too great affinity for the carbonic acids in the air, which prevents the keeping of its solutions.  This objection does not obtain for the first, provided, however, that ordinary lime water is not used, but a solution of succharate or sucrate of lime.  In my experiments I have made use of the following solutions: 

Solution A.

Pyrogallic acid. 10 grms. 
Sulphite of soda. 20 "
Citric acid. 2 "
Water. 120 "

Solution B.
Water.                                   1000  "
Sugar.              sufficient quantity to triturate.

To which add a sufficient quantity of pure lime to saturate the sugar solution.

In this manner we get a highly concentrated liquid, very alkaline, and which keeps for a considerable time.  To develop, I mix: 

Water. 80 cubic cent. 
Solution A. 2 " "

I throw this over the plate, and allow it to remain for a few moments, agitating, then I add to this bath gradually and according to the results obtained, from one to two cubic centimeters of the solution B. These solutions should be made with a great deal of care and prudence, as the sucrate of lime is an accelerator of very great energy.  Moreover, according as the plate has been more or less exposed, we may add to the developing bath a few drops of a solution of citric acid, or of a solution of an alkaline bromide.  We obtain in this way very soft prints, sometimes too soft, which, however, are not more free from fogging than plates developed with hydrochinon (new bath), or pyro having for accelerators ammonia, potash, soda, carbonate of potash, of soda, or of lithia.  I do not give this process with sucrate of lime as perfect, but I give it as perfectable and susceptible of application.  If I have undertaken to write these few lines it is because it has never been brought to my knowledge that up to the present time the oxides and the alkaline salts of the earthy alkaline metals have been studied from a photographic point of view.—­Leon Degoix in Photo.  Gazette.