inflammable by Percussion, and their Use iti Fire-arms. \Q^ 



and pour six drachms (measure) of pure nitric acid on the 

 mercury : this I place in a stand over a spirit-lamp, and make 

 it boil, till the quicksilver is taken up by the acid; — when 

 nearly cool, I pour it on an ounce (measure) of alcohol in an- 

 other flask : sometimes immediate effervescence ensues, with 

 the extrication of nitrous aether; and often I have been obliged 

 to place the mixture over the lamp, till a white fume begins 

 to rise, when the effervescence follows. I suffer the process 

 to continue (removing the lamp) till the fumes assume a red- 

 dish hue : when I pour water into the flask, and the powder 

 is found precipitated to the bottom, I pour offj and add fresh 

 water, permitting the powder to subside each time before 

 the water is jxjured off", so as to free the substance as much as 

 possible from the acid ; and then I pour it on a piece of fil- 

 tering paper, and place the powder in an airy room to dry. 

 It should be kept in a corked (not stoppered) bottle." 



For the filling of the caps he makes use of an ivory pin, 

 which has a scoop at one end for the purpose of receiving the 

 powder, and at the other is cut flat. With it he puts in as 

 much fulminating mercury as will cover the bottom : he then 

 dips the flat end into a strong tincture of benzoin, and rubs 

 this substance gently about the case; by which means the pow- 

 der is set fast and covered as with a varnish. 



Professor Schweigger, speaking of these kinds of experi- 

 ments in his chemical lectures, observed on the practicability 

 of kindling gunpowder by the admixture of other substances, 

 as has been shown in a criminal investigation that took place 

 at Munich a few years ago. 



A box filled with gunpowder was sent to an individual pro- 

 vided with fulminating papers, which were to inflame on the box 

 being opened. Fortunately, however, the murderous design was 

 frustrated ; for although the papers exploded, they did not 

 kindle the powder. The assassin was discovered and punished. 

 M. Gehlen, who had been examined at the trial, was led by 

 the circumstance to make several experiments for the purpose 

 of kindling gunpowder by means of Brugnatelli's fulminating 

 silver, but they all failed. 



It seems that in England, too, difliculties had been found in 

 igniting gunpowder with fulminating mercury; for Mr. Wright 

 ODserves, " If any one doubts the practicability of firing gun- 

 powder by means of fulminating mercury, — by procuring a per- 

 cussion gun he may try the experiment and be fully satisfied." 



Professor Schweigger having therefore requested me to try 

 some experiments on this subject, especially with fulminating 

 silver, I made them in the chemical laboratory of our univer- 

 sity, and the following were the results.. 



I.) Ful- 



