MIXTURE OF LIQUEFIED GASES. 397 



in consequence of their liability to explode spontaneously, need 

 not be considered. The oxides of nitrogen, on the contrary, are 

 stable in the cold. 



Now, the liquid oxides of nitrogen can be associated with 

 liquefied hydrocarbons in hermetically closed vessels. Thus we 

 obtain mixtures whose theoretical explosive force is comparable 

 to that of the most energetic compounds, such as nitroglycerin 

 or the mixtures of potassium chlorate with gun-cotton or 

 potassium picrate. 



Such mixtures of liquefied gases formed by the oxides ot 

 nitrogen do not detonate directly, but may do so under the 

 influence of primings of mercury fulminate, and this makes up 

 the resemblance between such mixtures and dynamite. 



During the siege of Paris the author made some trials of this 

 kind with liquid nitrogen monoxide. 



Eecently M. Turpin thought of having recourse to nitric per- 

 oxide, which is more easily handled, since it remains liquid up 

 to about 26 and may then be easily mixed with various com- 

 bustible compounds, such as carbon disulphide, ether, petroleum 

 spirit, etc. This is the base of the panclastites patented by this 

 ingenious inventor. 



It is not yet known how far such a volatile body as nitric 

 peroxide, the vapour of which it is so dangerous to breathe, and 

 which is so corrosive, could be applied. It may, however, be 

 noted that this body nearly represents liquid oxygen, the loss of 

 energy being almost nil in its formation (p. 128). Its explosive 

 decomposition presents the disadvantage of heating the nitrogen 

 which does not intervene in the combustion. 



The study of mixtures of this kind presents very great variety, 

 but the reactions they develop are but imperfectly known, except 

 as regards the systems which correspond to total combustion. 

 We shall therefore limit ourselves to these. 



The following figures will serve to show the theoretical 

 energy of the mixtures formed by liquid nitrogen monoxide and 

 nitric peroxide. 



