14J6 OS TtlE METALS OF THE ALKALIS. 



A detonating loid with water, mercury, and other substances. The coally 



pyrophoroui Q^atter, from which the metalloid had been sep;irated, ap- 

 coal produced. . , . 



pcared to me a detonatiii^ pyrophoric product ota pecuhar 



Ifs properties, nature. It had the following properties. Its colour varied 

 from deep bhick to brdwnish black, and black blue. It had 

 a greater or less degree of cohesion, a pulverulent consist- 

 ency, but requiring the stroke of a pestle to reduce it to 

 powder. The pulverulent part inflamed with noise on the 

 contact of air; but the large pieces did not take fire, till 

 they had remained exposed to the air some time. They in- 

 flame more quickly when moisture is near. On triturating, 

 striking, or pounding this matter with a solid body, it de- 

 tonates with more or less noise, with flame, and with dis- 

 persion of the matter when the pieces are large. The noise 

 resembled loud cracks of a whip. 1 have even observed, 

 that this deconi position of the metalloid with noise takes 

 place sometimes under water, and occasions a violent com- 

 T>an(;erous ac- motion in it. This detonating product was near occasioning 

 cidems. nie as disastrous an accident, as the metalloid did Mr. Gay- 



Lussac; for, in attempting to get all the matter out of the 

 neck of the retort with a sharp-pointed iron wire, a portion 

 detonated with a great deal of noise, and almost all the 

 burning matter flew by my face. It is obvious therefore, 

 ^'f. that we cannot be too cautious in operating on this sub- 

 stance *. 

 Action oi' pot- On another occasion 1 observed a very violent action from 

 as5hjmon ojl ^qj^^ coally matter tilled with metalloid, I poured about 

 •f turpeiituie. , , • p .-c i i x- ^ ..- i 



a drachm into an ounce oi rectitied oil ot turpentine, and 



immediately perceived a very strong ebullition of the oil, 

 part of which was volatilized in smoke. What remained had 

 almost entirely lost its smell, but had acquired a striking 

 smell of solution of camphor in oil of turpentine, yet I 

 could not by any means discover the presence of camphor. 



Detonating * ^ »nJxturc of sulphate of potaslj and vegetable charcoal, in a large 



mixture. proportion, produces a Similar effect. Collet' Descotils. 



\lh 



