284 a iscellaneous I: ntelligence. 
A 
placed at the bottom of an iron pot, four inches in Psisiorer and twelve 
“— in depth, on being touched by the end of an iron rod reddened 
ears an activity in some degree xplosive, probably in consequence o 
the pressure created by the action of the gaseous current generated 
by its own deflagration. 
he want of to ines which is thus capable of lessening the 
explosiveness of gunpowder, of which the constituents are intimately 
intermingled, is still more enfeebling, where analogous nate are 
n. 
i of that vapor or gas, to the evolution of which, under con- 
finement, the capability of exploding is due. Thus sundered, they 
are chilled by radiation, so that the oven a be to sustain 
and communicate ignition is not supported. Moreover, the rapidity of 
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in Dr Hare’s letter to Hayes, it was urged, a # that his inference as 
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a white heat, the base of nitre spontaneously abamdots its acid, while 
from water it cannot be separated ine aay temperature. Consequently, 
the presentation of substances, consisting of carbon, hydrogen, and 
oxygen, by yielding water to the base, could not but be productive of 
a result analogous to that which results from the presentation of sulphur 
and ca 
The only obstacle is as follows :—Substances containing hydrogen 
and oxygen; whether in pe —— for forming water, like sugar, 
tarch, gum, and wood ; ing an excess of hydrogen, like oils 
resins; moreover, all oe pee ae of nitre, even the base, are 
susceptible of the aériform state at the temperature producible by the 
reaction of nitre with them. But when kept together until that point 
is attained, the explosive power must be fully equivalent to that of gun- 
powder. The re Rea are ina state analogous to that of two gases 
extremely co 
The explosibility. of incandescent nitre with water was illustrated in 
the small way, by heating a portion in a platinum capsule by the flame 
of a hydro-oxygen blowpipe, and sudden immersion in the liquid. So 
active was the explosion, vite a portion of the resulting hydrate flew 
out upon the operator. Yet when thrown in the same state upon mo- 
lasses or sugar, no explosion ensued: nevertheless, when a capsule 
~~. : nitre heated to the point of volatilization, was struck with 
the oe cotlied with sugar melted upon it and made to 
din: vrei ture, a detonation ook place. A still more powegful 
detonation was oul as follow 
