662 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [ANNO 1800. 



composition of fulminating silver, and of fulminating gold, differ essentially from 

 that of fulminating mercury, all 3 have some similar qualities. In tremendous 

 effects, silver undoubtedly stands first, and gold perhaps the last. The effects of 

 the mercurial powder and of gunpowder, admit of little comparison. The one 

 exerts, within certain limits, an almost inconceivable force : its agents seem to be 

 gas and caloric, very suddenly set at liberty, and both mercury and water thrown 

 into vapour. The other displays a more extended but inferior power : gas and 

 caloric are, comparatively speaking, liberated by degrees ; and water, according to 

 Count Rumford, is thrown into vapour.* Hence it seems, that the fulminating 

 mercury, from the limitation 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 ; perhaps where 

 it is the practice to spike cannon it may be of service, because I apprehend it may 

 be used in such a manner 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 sub- 

 stances. The theory of such inflammations has been long since exposed by the 

 celebrated Berthollet, and confirmed by Messieurs Fourcroy and Vauquelin: yet I 

 must confess I am at a loss to understand, why a small quantity of mercurial pow- 

 der 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 accounted for, 

 by supposing the instant of the inflammation, and that of the powder's confine- 

 ment between the hammer and anvil, to be precisely the same; but when the elec- 

 trical shock is sent through or over a few grains of the powder, merely laid on 

 ivory, and a loud report is the 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 beau- 

 tiful 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 mer- 

 curial solution, must first act on the alcohol, and generate ether, nitrous etherized 

 gas, and oxalic acid. The mercury unites to the last 2 in their nascent state, and 

 relinquishes fresh nitrous acid, to act on any unaltered alcohol. The oxalic acid, 

 though a predisposing affinity seems exerted in favour of its quantity, is evidently 

 not formed fast enough to retain all the mercury ; otherwise, no white fumes, dur- 

 ing a considerable period of the operation, but fulminating mercury alone, would 

 be produced. 



Should any doubt still be entertained of the existence of the affinities which have 



* See Phil. Trang. for 1797, P- 222. The hard black substance mentioned by the Count, as remain- 

 ing after the combustion of gunpowder, must, I believe, have been an alkaline sulphuret, mixed chiefly 

 with sulphite and carbonate of potash. The conjecture that it is white when first formed, is certainly 

 just, as my experiment with the glass globe evinced. — Orig. 



