04 FULMINATING MERCURY. 



gass and caloric arc, comparatively speaking, liberated by degrees ; 

 and water, according to count Kumford, is thrown into vapour. 



" Hence it seems that the fulminating mercury, from the limi- 

 tation of its sphere of action, can seldom, if ever, be applied to 

 mining ; and, from the immensity of its initial force, cannot be 

 used in fire-arms, unless in cases where it becomes an object to 

 destroy them ; and where it is the practice to spike ca. ir ; i, it may 

 be of service, because I apprehend it may be used in such a man. 

 ner as to burst cannon, without dispersing any splinters. 



*' The inflammation of fulminating mercury, by concussion, 

 offers nothing more novel or remarkable than the inflammation, by 

 concussion, of many other substances. The theory of such inllam- 

 inations has been long since exposed by the celebrated Mr. Ber. 

 thollet, and confirmed by Messieurs Fourcroy and Vauquelin : 

 yet, I must confess, I am at a loss to understand why a small 

 quantity of mercurial powder, made to detonate by the hammer 

 or the electric shock, should produce a report so much louder than 

 when it is inflamed by a match, or by flint and steel. It might at 

 first be imagined, that the loudness of the report could be ac- 

 counted for, by supposing the instant of the inflammation, and 

 that of the powder's confinement, between the hammer and anvil, 

 to be precisely the same ; but, when the electrical shock is sent 

 through or over a few grains of the powder, merely laid on ivory, 

 and a loud report in consequence, I can form no idea of what 

 causes such a report. 



" The operation by which the powder is prepared, is perhaps 

 one of the most beautiful and surprising in chemistry; and it is 

 not a little interesting to consider the affinities which are brought 

 into play. The superabundant nitrous acid, of the mercurial solu- 

 tion, must first act on the alcohol, and generate ether, nitrous 

 etherized gass, and oxalic acid. The mercury unites to the two 

 last, in their nascent state, and relinquishes fresh nitrous acid, to 

 act upon unaltered alcohol. With respect to the oxalic acid, a 

 predisposing affinity seems exerted in favour of its quantity, as it is 

 evidently not formed fast enough to retain all the mercury ; other, 

 wise, no white fumes during a considerable period of the operation, 

 but fulminating mercury alone will be produced. 



11 Should any doubt still l entertained of the existence of the 

 affinities which have been called predisposing or conspiring, a 

 proof that such affinities really exist, will, I think, be afforded, 



