206 NITROGEN BODIES OF MODERN CHEMISTRY. 



phosphorus. The product thus obtained, the acetonitryl, furnishes a 

 starting-point for further transformations. Suppose, now, that for one 

 hydrogen atom we substitute the radical of unit equivalence, ("'X "O.2) 



Fig 7. 



QOOCXDOO 



Here we have a iierfectly-liuked atomic-chain, where everything fits, a 

 nitrogen body, 



W C/"' H'2 N'" O2" 

 the nitro-acetonitryl. 



If we substitute for the two remaining atoms of hydrogen one biva- 

 lent atom of mercury, (represented by the shaded circles in Fig. 8,) we 

 shall obtain common fulminate of mercury. 



Fig. 8. 



This latter substance cannot, in fact, be obtained from acetate of am- 

 monia ; our meaus are not yet adequate for that. We have another and 

 quite different way, which is not less interesting; it is the action of ni- 

 trate of mercury on alcohol. When strong spirits of wine and strong 

 nitric acid are mixed and metallic mercury is added to the mixture, in 

 a short time nitrous acid vapor is developed, the mass begins as it were 

 to seethe, and on cooling yields a deposit in the form of fine needle- 

 crystals, and this is the fulminate of mercury. 



Alcohol has the radical so often occurring in chemistry, C2 H5, and 

 has the formula C2 He O, or 



Fig. 9. 



CXDCOOOCO 



ooocoooo 



II nitryl mercurv (represented in Fig. 10) acts upon this — 



Fi.v. 10. 



COCOCOCO 



