MISCELLANEOUS. 321 



lime. When cooled, the mixture will be a reddish 

 mass. 



If phosphuret of lime be dropped into water, 

 air bubbles will be disengaged, which, on bursting 

 at the top, will inflame with small explosions. 

 They consist of phosphorated hydrogen gas. 



To make Fulminating Powder. 



Triturate in a warm mortar three parts, by 

 weight, of nitre, two of mild vegetable alkali (car- 

 bonate of potash), and one of flowers of sulphur. 

 A few grains of this laid upon a knife, and held 

 over the candle, first fuses, and then explodes with 

 a loud report. A drachm of it put into a shovel, 

 and held over the fire, makes a noise as loud as a 

 cannon, and indents the shovel as if it had received 

 a violent blow. 



To make Fulminating Mercury. 



Dissolve 100 grains of mercury with heat, in 

 a measured ounce and a half of nitric acid. This 

 solution being poured cold upon two measured 

 ounces of alkohol, previously introduced into any 

 convenient glass vessel, a moderate heat is to be 

 applied till effervescence is excited. A white 

 fume then begins to undulate on the surface of the 

 liquor, and the powder will be gradually precipi- 

 tated on the cessation of action. The precipitate 

 is to be immediately collected on a filtre, well 

 washed with distilled water, and cautiously dried 

 in a heat not exceeding that of a water bath. The 

 immediate washing of the powder is material, 



VOL. II. Y 



