\Q C 2 REPORT ON A MEMOIR. 



inflammation. Acetic acid produces a confiderable deflagra- 

 tion and a beautiful blueilh flame. The acetates of potam 

 and foda take fire with crackling. 



Animal matters. Thefe refults induced us to examine what animal matters 

 were fufceptible of burning by the lame proceffes ; we tried 

 dried gluten and hartfliorn (havings without fuccefs. 



The yolk of an egg, wax, butter, tallow and greafe, burnt ; 

 like oil, but with lefs crackling; wool and a piece of rabbit's 

 fkin with its fur on, ftrongly impregnated with fur-oxigenated 

 muriate of potafh, were inflamed and continued to burn until 

 their total incineration. 



Singular refults. Among thofe experiments which prefented us remarkable 

 Angularities, we muft mention the fulminating powder which 

 we could never fet fire to, though it was decompofed with a 

 confiderable difengagement of gas and heat. Three other 

 mixtures with metallic bafes furprifed us greatly by their ter- 

 rifying detonation, by their rapid inflammation, and by their 

 ftronor efTeCr. in fire-arms*. Cil. Robert has no doubt tried 



o 



them, but he makes no obfervation on them. We fhall copy 

 his referve, and only allow ourfelves two remarks. The arms 

 are ftrongly oxided and foon deftroyed by thefe mixtures, 

 which are expenfive and more difficult to prepare than gun-- 

 powder; we think they are not capable of being granulated. 

 Their inflammability would render their carriage and their ufe 

 too dangerous, fince a blow or frifiion produces detonation. 

 We (hall conceal their names, becaufe malevolence too often 

 abufes the fatal fecrets made known by chemifts. The re- 

 membrance of the calamities at Eflbne, ftill more the public 

 falety makes it our duty to be filent, and not to give a new re- 

 fource to the cruel art of deftroying mankind. 



* They take fire like powder by the fpark from a gun flint. 



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