128 PHILOSOPHY OF 



When exposed to a temperature of 300 F., it is 

 suddenly decomposed ; from which it is evident 

 that the self-repulsive force of the caloric is re- 

 strained by its affinity for the particles of the com- 

 pound, until a further supply of thermal aether is 

 added, when the elastic force prevails, and the 

 compound is resolved into its constituents with 

 a violence sufficient to indent or lacerate iron. 

 During the process, oxygen combines with the 

 carbon of cyanogen, forming carbonic acid, while 

 the nitrogen of the cyanogen, being released from 

 its confinement, expands, causing the explosion. 

 The same effect is produced on bringing concen- v 

 trated nitric or sulphuric acid in contact with it, 

 the oxygen of which combines with the carbon of 

 the cyanogen, leaving the nitrogen at liberty to 

 exert its expansive force.* 



* It is only by contemplating the elastic force of caloric in 

 oxygen and nitrogen, while in the state of simple gases, that we 

 are enabled to appreciate the stupendous force of attraction by 

 which it is concentrated around the molecules of ponderable 

 matter. If we take the experimental result of Rumford, that 15 

 grains of gunpowder expand when ignited, with a force equal to 

 the pressure of 400,000 Ibs. or 200 tons weight, it follows from a 

 simple calculation, that the elastic force of caloric in 1 Ib. of gun- 

 gunpowder, is equal to the pressure of 102,400 tons weight. This 

 enormous force is restrained by the attraction of caloric for the mole- 

 cules of gunpowder and all detonating compounds that contain ni- 

 trogen, until decomposed, when it expands with an energy far sur- 

 passing the most elastic steam, for the same reason that the oxygen 

 of chlorates expands with irresistible violence when decomposed. It 

 is therefore certain, that a more perfect knowledge of the application 

 of gunpowder and other fulminating compounds, must lead to a far 

 more effectual and rapid mode of destroying life than the steam gun. 



