90 LETTEES OF BEEZELIUS 



all vegetable matter, especially if the incrustation is 

 previously removed by moistening it with a solution 

 of caustic alkali. I have prepared it from Sphagnum 

 palustre, from oakum, from straw, and, best of all, from 

 friable, decaying wood, which, when the humin has 

 been extracted by alkaline solutions, yields an exquisite 

 powdery guncotton. The scientific term I propose 

 to apply to it is lignin nitrate, since a body got from 

 these substances cannot well be called guncotton. 



I also endeavoured to prepare it from Cladonia 

 rangiferina and Cetraria islandica. These, however, 

 contain a framework, which is composed not of lignin 

 but of starchy filaments, and yields nothing but 

 amylin nitrate, i.e., xyloidin. The products of com- 

 bustion of lignin nitrate comprise a gas which I think 

 is cyanogen, which I certainly had not looked for 

 among them. I had no time to inquire into the pre- 

 cise elementary structure of this interesting compound; 

 I dissolved it in caustic alkali, in which it is readily 

 soluble, and obtained therefrom saltpetre, glucinic 

 acid, apoglucinic acid and other products, which were 

 not examined further. My attempts to reproduce 

 lignin by means of the exchange of nitric acid for 

 water failed conspicuously. 



You would greatly oblige 'me by favouring me with 

 the results of your further investigations on the appli- 

 cation of lignin nitrate as an explosive. 

 I have the honour to remain, 

 With the greatest respect, 



Your most obedient servant, 



JAC. BERZELIUS. 



