52 



used as a detonator is made by dissolving Quicksilver in. 

 Nitric Acid, and treating th^ product with Alcohol, when a 

 very violent reaction follows, and crystals of Fulminate of 

 Mercurj' are deposited on cooling. The dry fulminate is 

 exploded by merely rubbing it, and for safety is kept in 

 corked bottles (not stoppered) under water. 



On its explosion, a residue of metallic mercury is left, 

 which is prettily shewn by the following experiment. Over' 

 the surface of a perfectly clean sheet of glass Mercuric 

 Fulminate is evenly dusted by means of a fine muslin sieve. 

 Applying a taper to a portion of the powder it fires with 

 a bright flash, burning with infinite rapidity ; the mercuric 

 left coats the surface of the glass, and on turning the plate 

 over it is seen that a looking glass is produced. In con- 

 clusion, I feel it necessary to apologize for the trial to 

 which I have subjected your patience in attempting to give 

 a demonstration of some of the leading properties of ex- 

 plosives. 



