Detonating oxygenated Muriate of Lead, c^c, 1 S7 



subsided, and the apparatus had cooled, there was found in 

 the retort a mercurial mass of a very white colour and 

 highly fulminating. The receivers contained an ethereous 

 oilv liquor, and crystals of salt, which were carefully col- 

 lected, were observed on then- sides. They were exceed- 

 ingly soluble in water. On examniation I found thein to 

 be nitrate of mercury. 



The vapours disengaged during this operation are there- 

 fore composed of ether by nitric acid and nitrous gas hold- 

 ing in solution nitrate of mercury. The latter circumstance^ 

 on which the crreat gravity of these vapours depends, is truly 

 v/orthy of attention. I was not able to ascertain whether 

 there was a concomitant formation of ammonia, as Berthol- 

 let supposes. 



DISCOVERY OP A DETONATING OXYGENATED MURIATE 



OF LEAD. Bt/ the same. 



I obtained an oxygenated muriate of lead by saturating 

 with oxygenated muriatic acid a solution of lead in nitric 

 g.cid. This solution, which was transparent and colourless, 

 acquired by the addition of oxygen gas a yellow colour. I 

 reduced it to two-thirds by slow evaporation, and left it at 

 rest. By cooling, it gave a quantity of very small brilliant 

 cubes, having a sweet and cool taste. These crystals at- 

 tract humidity in humid air, and become dry in drv air. 

 Sulphuric acid decomposes them with a disengagement 

 of simple muriatic acid gas : when struck with a small bit of 

 phosphorus they detonate violently, and are fused on burn- 

 ing coals. 



If simple muriatic acid gas be made to pass into a solu- 

 tion of muriate of lead impregnated with a little oxygenated 

 muriatic acid gas, the metal is precipitated under the form 

 of ver}' small crystals of muriate of lead : on evaporating 

 •the liquid there are obtained small needles of the same salt. 

 Crystallization then furnishes the two salts above men- 

 tioned. Simple muriate of lead neither detonates with 

 phosphorus, nor fuses on burning coals. 



NEW ANIMALS. 



A letter from Paris says : " A couple of living quadru- 

 peds, entirely unknown to naturalists, have been sent home 

 by captain Baudin, in the Aaturrdiste lately arrived. Pro- 

 fessor (k-ojfroi calls them J'ascohnies. They come from 

 the wcritirn coast of New Holland ; their fur may be of 

 >>ome utility; and their flesli, in the opinion of captain 

 Jiamelin and his crcw^ 3,frords excellent food. The J'usco-^ 



Ivincs 



