1868. | Nitro-Glycerine. 149 
have sheltered themselves behind the bales of red tape with which 
South Kensington is stored, and have produced each succeeding 
year an imposing pamphlet testifying to an increased industry in 
multiplying regulations for the management of a scheme which 
they have sought to embarrass rather than to promote. 
It does not form part of our duty to pot out how the system 
can be re-organized. That is, we presume, one of the objects for 
which the Parliamentary Committee is bemg nominated, but we 
hope its labours will be speedily followed by an extensive measure of 
reform before the best schools shall have succumbed ; that a better 
educated class of men will be introduced into the management 
of the department, men fitted to make their appearance in those 
quarters where training-schools for Science are the most needed ; 
that, m the name of justice and common sense, we may have a 
scientific man at the head of the Science department, and that if it 
be deemed one of the provinces of the State to encourage Science 
teaching, our certificated masters may be paid at least sufficient to 
find them in board and lodging whilst they are engaged in the 
public service. 
II. NITRO-GLYCERINE: ITS CLAIMS AS A NEW 
INDUSTRIAL AGENT. 
By Joun Maver, F.CS. 
NotwitHstanDInG the lamentable occurrence at Newcastle, in 
December last, resulting, as it did, in the death of seven persons, 
and notwithstanding the fact, likewise, that nitro-glycerine has in 
three or four instances, in America, proved itself to be a dangerous 
compound when not properly dealt with, its advantages as a blasting 
agent have been so extensively and so satisfactorily demonstrated, 
during the last three years or so, that it is high time that industry 
should more generally step in and claim it asa new handmaid which 
science has placed within her reach. Already on the continent of 
Europe, and in America, this remarkable compound has established 
its claim to rank in the first place as an explosive agent; and it is 
the object of the present article to examine in a scientific and 
dispassionate manner its title to be regarded in that light, in such a 
manner, indeed, as shall, we hope, form a marked contrast to the 
wild panic-stricken editorials which were so numerous in the daily 
and weekly newspapers during the latter half of the month of 
December last. ‘There would have been less need for this present 
“corrective,” if certain scientific journals had not also run riot 
immediately after the Newcastle explosion, instead of showing that 
their guiding minds were possessed of the spirit of true scientific 
