EXPLOSIVE COMPOUND. 283 



position of saline solutions, and solution of soap j as it ap- composition, 



pears that the earthy soaps do not explode with it, and that of p | 0( j e# 



the metallic soaps, those prepared from nitric salts explode, 



while those prepared from muriatic salts do not. 



Of the numerous experiments, of which a statement is given The cxperi- 



in the preceding table, we will not pledge ourselves that all nu Ilts JJJJJ" m 



are equally accurate j we have taken considerable pains that vary ourepe- 



they should be so, but their number has hitherto prevented us tlUou - 



fiom repeating the greater part of them. The repetition of 



some of them has convinced us, that very minute circumstances 



will sometimes cause the results to vary. Should we hereafter 



find it necessary to correct any involuntary inaccuracies in our 



statement, we shall do it with confidence in the indulgence of 



the readers of your Journal. 



As it may be expected, that we should describe our mode of Apparatus for 

 .... ,. .. ., a j exposingthe 



bringing the explosive compound into contact with confined c011] p Ount j to 



portions of the gases, we have represented our apparatus for gas in a closed 

 this purpose in the sketch, plate VI. fig. 3, to which the pre- 

 sent explanation will apply, (a) A small capsule of bone or 

 ivory, having a small hole in its centre — this capsule is suspended 

 by a string, passing air-tight through the top of a glass receiver 

 (e) between a collar of wetted leather, which serves to secure 

 in its place the stop-cock (b) — this stop-cock has a connecting 

 screw, to which the stop-cock (c) of the bladder (d) can at 

 any time be attached. (/) is a water bath. 



When this apparatus is to be used, the capsule (a) is to be and method of 

 drawn down, so as to bring it on the outside of the glass re- 11511 ^ 1 *- 

 ceiver : the bladder with its stop-cock is to be unscrewed and 

 filled with the gas intended to be used ; the stop cock (b) is 

 to be opened, and by the action of the mouth applied to it the 

 water is to be drawn up so as to fill the receiver. The cock (b) 

 is then to be shut, and the cock (t) with the bladder of gas 

 screwed on. A small piece of blotting paper is then to be 

 laid on the hole in the capsule, on which the globule of the 

 explosive compound is to be placed. The capsule is then to 

 be placed again under the receiver, and by means of the string 

 on the outside, drawn up into the receiver full of water, to 

 such a height as may be thought necessary ; after which, the 

 two stop-cocks are to be opened, which will admit the air from 

 , the bladder into the receiver j the water in which will all de- 

 ll 2 scer.d 



