114 On a fuhn'inaling Comlhiatlon of Silver. 



Simple pressure, provided it be not very strong, produced 

 no change. 



It detonates upon being struck by the electrical spark. 



It is slightly soluble in water. It has an extremely strong 

 njelallic taste. 



Concentrated sulphuric acid determines its inflammation, 

 and the acid itself is driven to a great distance: dilute sul- 

 phuric acid seems to decompose it slowly. 



Weak or concentrated muriatic acid decomposes it in- 

 stautlv, bv tbrniing imiriate of" silver. The quantity of mu- 

 riate obtained indicates about 71 per cent, of metallic silver 

 in the detonating silver; at first there is liberated a very 

 decided smell of prussic acid, but I could not collect any 

 sensible traces of it. 



The nitric acid decomposes it with the assistance of ebul- 

 lition ; and we obtain nothing but nitrate of silver, and ni- 

 trate of anmionia, if it be long enough continued. 



It is decomposed by means of sulphuretted hydrogen; the 

 ammonia and the vegetable matter remain in the liquor. 



Caustic potash decomposes it ; black oxide of silver is se- 

 parated, and ammonia is disengaged, 



It is dissolved in ammonia; but by a slow evaporation it 

 is separated from it with its proper colour and other proper- 

 ties, and particularly that of detonating by nacans of heat, 

 and not by simple contact. 



Finallv, its property of most importance to consider, is 

 the action it has upon the animal ceeouomy. M. Pajot-la- 

 Forct, who has made a great number of experiments upon 

 this subject, is convinced that very small doses are sufficient 

 to kill the strongest animals : when tried upon some cats, 

 all of them expired in the most horrible convulsions. It is 

 in short, without exception, one of the most violent poisons 

 with which the raeiallic combinations present us. 



:n:ix. 0^ 



