On a new futminating ^lercufy, 2£ 



Kelt, in a meafured ounce and a half of nitric acid *, This 

 foliition being poured cold upon two meafured ounces of 

 alcohol t, prcvioujly introduced into any convenient glafs 

 veflel, a moderate heat is to be applied until an eflervefcence 

 is excited. A white fume then begins to undulate on the 

 furface of the liquor; and the powder will be gradually pre- 

 cipitated, upon the ceiTation of a6lion and re-aftion. The 

 precipitate is to be immediately coUefted on a filter, well 

 wafted with diftilled water, and carefully dried in a heat 

 not much exceeding that of a waters-bath. The immediate 

 edulcoration of the powder is material, becaufe it is liable to 

 the re-a(Slion of the nitric acid; and, whilft any of that acid 

 adheres to it, it is very fubje6l to the influence of light. Let 

 it alfo be cautioufly remembered, that the mercurial folution 

 is to be poured upon the alcohol. 



I have recommended quickfilver to be ufed in preference 

 to an oxyd, becaufe it feems to anfwer equally, and is lefs 

 expeiifive ; otherwife, not only the pure red oxyd, but the 

 red nitrous oxyd, and turpeth, may be fubftituted ; neither 

 does it feem eflential to attend to the precife fpecific crravity 

 of the acid or the alcohol. The reftified fpirit of wine and 

 the nitrous acid of commerce never failed, with me, to pro- 

 duce a fulminating mercury. It is indeed true, that the 

 powder prepared without attention is produced in different 

 quantities, varies in colour, and probably in ftrength. From 

 analogy, I am difpofed to think the whiteft is the ftrongeft; 

 for it is well known, that black precipitates of mercury ap- 

 proach the neareft to the metallic ftate. The variation in 

 quantity is remarkable; the fmalleft quantity I ever obtained 

 from ICO grains of quickfilver being 120 grains, and the 

 largeft 132 grains. Much depends on very minute circum- 

 ftances. The greatell: produi!;t feems to be obtained, when 

 a veflel is ufed which condenfes and caufes moft ether to 

 return into the mother liquor ; befides which, care is to be 



ing the procefs j bui becaufe the quantities of nitric acid and alcohol re- 

 quired for more than 500 grains, would excite a degree of heat detrimental 

 to the preparatioD. 



* Of the fpecific gravity of about 1,3. 



f Of the ffiecific gravity of ubput ,849. 



Vol. VU. E had^ 



