454 



APPENDIX. 



919. 



FULMINATES. This name has been given to a class of 

 highly explosive salts, obtained by the action of alcohol 

 upon certain nitrates. The most important are the fulmi- 

 nates of mercury and silver. Fulminating mercury is pre- 

 pared by dissolving 1 part of mercury in 12 parts of nitric 

 acid, sp. grav. 1.36, and subsequently adding 11 parts of 80 

 per cent, alcohol. Upon warming the mixture a compli- 

 cated reaction takes place, dense white vapors are given off, 

 and the fulminate is thrown down as a crystalline powder. 

 This is to be washed with cold water and afterwards dried 

 at a moderate temperature. This salt explodes violently by 

 heat, friction, or percussion, and sometimes even without 

 any apparent cause. It is largely employed in the manufac- 

 ture of percussion caps, torpedoes, &c., &c. Fulminating 

 silver detonates still more violently than the mercury salt. 

 By friction with a hard body, it explodes even under water. 

 It is prepared as above, using 10 parts of nitric acid and 

 20 parts of alcohol. Too much caution cannot be observed 

 in manipulating with these highly dangerous compounds. 

 They should be prepared only in quantities of a few grains. 

 Fulminate of Silver=2AgO, CyaOa. 



927. Ether=C 4 H 5 O. 



Alcohol =C 4 HeO 2 or (C 4 H 5 O+HO). 



928. 



929. 



930. C 4 H 6 O 2 +2S0 3 =2(HO, 



931. 



932. 



933. 



935. Chloroform- C 2 HCFs. 



938. Tannic Acid=Ci 8H 5 O 9 , 3HO=Qt, 3HO. 



