184 FULMINATING POWDERS. 



Besides saltpetre or the nitric acid, which is the active ingredient 

 in saltpetre, there are various other acids r as the oxymuriatic, 

 (chlorine of Davy), the hyper oxymuriatic, the arsenic, tun.stic, 

 molybdic, and columbic, that are powerful supporters of combus- 

 tion. Of these the most easy of access is the oxymuriatic ; and 

 this has in consequence been tried either instead of, or in conjunc- 

 tion with, the nitric acid, to ascertain whether it be possessed of 

 more power. The best experiments upon the subject are those of 

 Edward Howard, Esq. as communicated to the Royal Society. 

 The effect, according to these, is very singular, in the employment 

 of the oxymuriat of potash, the only form in which the oxymuriatic 

 acid has hitherto been made use of. It acts with considerably 

 more energy so far as its range extf nds ; but this range is far .short 

 of that produced by saltpetre, or nitrat of potash. It produces also 

 a much more violent explosion ; and an explosion which, in one 

 instance, burst the vessel, and nearly destroyed the eye.sight of the 

 bold and ingenious experimenter. [Editor. 



CHAP. XIV. 



FULMINATING POWDERS. 



1 HERE are various combinations under this name that possess a 

 near resemblance to gunpowder in their constituent parts, easily 

 inflame, and explode with great violence, but require a certain 

 degree of heat to produce this effect. We shall notice the com. 

 mon and the metallic fulminating powders. 



SECTION I. 

 Common Fulminating Powder. 



Tins is prepared as follows : take three parts of nitre, two of 

 purified pearl-ash, and one of flowers of sulphur, mix the whole 

 very accurately in an earthen mortar, and placo it on a tile or plate 

 before the fire, till it is perfectly dry : then transfer it while hot 

 into a ground stopper bottle, and it may be kept without injury for 

 any length of time. In order to experience its effects, pour from 

 ten to forty grains into an iron ladle, and place it over a slow fire : 



