90 Vaporization of Mercury in Nitric Ether. 
Knowing that a current transmitted by a helix, has been found to 
influence the direction of a magnetic needle, placed exterior to it, it 
has occurred to me to ascertain whether any, (or how much,) mag: _ 
netism could be excited in soft iron, by means of an interior roll. I 
am making some experiments on this subject, which may perhaps 
lead to some conclusions with regard to the depth of those electrical 
eurrents, on which the magnetism of the earth depends, or perhaps 
render it more probable that these are situated above the earth’s sur- 
face, as conjectured in the paper, a part of which is above quoted. 
Schenectady, Aug. 27, 1831. 
Arr. XI.—Notice of the Vaporization of Mercury in the fumes of 
Nitric Ether ; alsoyNotices of various chemical products—in letters 
to the Editor; by S. Gururis, of Sackett’s Harbor, N. Y- 
TO PROFESSOR SILLIMAN. 
Dear Sir—Your very interesting suggestion,* that mercury may 
exist in the fumes arising during the formation of fulminating mercu- 
ry, has induced me to examine these fumes with more care than 
had hitherto done; and I beg leave to present you with the following 
results of my examination. 
During the vehement action of a solution of mercury in nitric acid 
upon alcohol, in the formation of fulminating mercury, there arises @ 
great quantity of dense white fumes, having the odor of spirits of nie 
trous ether. These fumes, by making them pass into a Woulfe’s ap- 
paratus, are readily condensed into a fine transparent fluid. They 
are but partially condensible by traversing a refrigeratory worm, but 
in a Woulfe’s apparatus, after some fifteen or twenty minutes, they 
will be found to be entirely condensed, and they will yield a flui 
nearly equal in bulk to the alcohol employed. 
This fluid has the flavor of nitric ether. On standing a few day’ 
mercury is precipitated spontaneously, or it is thrown down at one® 
by heat, or by the addition of potash, to neutralize a quantity ° 
Nitric or nitrous acid, and which is essential to the constitution of 
the fumes. Globules of mercury will most probably be detected 
at ence in the precipitate; if not, rubbing the precipitate on pap 
ple allen = 
ade in answer to a letter from Mr. Guthrie, in which he informed me that he 
ne found the eondensed fumes mentioned in this paper to consist, chiefly of nitri¢ 
€ D. 
