Vaporization of Mereury in Nitric Ether. 91 
will most generally revive the mercury, and thus prove its exist- 
ence. ‘The effervescence which follows the addition of carbon- 
ate of potash to the condensed fumes, together with a crop of crystals 
of nitrate of potash which results from this addition, demonstrates 
the existence of the acid. Distillation of the fluid gives a fine, pun- 
gent and concentrated ether. Hence these fumes, so conspicuous in 
making fulminating mercury, may be regarded as a curious and pe- 
culiar combination, chiefly of ether, mercury and nitric acid. 
Nitric oxide is always disengaged towards the end of the process, 
if not through its whole duration, and is, dnring the condensation, 
most probably converted into nitrous acid. The vapor of alcohol is 
probably present, though it may not be essential to the constitution of 
the fumes. I may, perhaps hereafter, give you the definite propor- 
tions of the substances composing these fumes, as I suspect this con- 
stitution will be found to be nearly uniform. 
In preparing fulminating mercury in considerable quantities, as a 
business, I have, for the sake of economy and profit, pursued the 
following course, and can recommend it with confidence, as worthy of 
the attention of all who may have occasion to make this preparation 
on a considerable scale. 2 
use the best nitric acid I can obtain; but the alcohol need not be 
of less specific gravity than .840. In this case, heat will be neces- 
sary to bring on the specific action which attends the formation of the 
powder; and heat, if the acid be good, will always do it, although it 
may be necessary to continue the fluid ata boiling point for even ten 
minutes. ‘The product will be found to be perfect ; and it is easier 
‘0 command heat than to obtain very high alcohol. 
After condensing the fumes, I throw down the acid and mereury 
Which they contain, with carbonate of potash, and decant the ether and 
distil it, "The ether thus obtained is used as a medicine, when nitric 
ether js required ; or, itis used ina lamp, combined with one seventh | 
Patt of spirits of turpentine, for giving light—a purpose which it an- 
SWErs Most admirably well, 
, After the subsidence of the powder, I decant the fluid and saturate 
: mith potash ; by which process I obtain nitrate of potash, equal in 
Weight to ten per cent. of the acid originally employed. If the fumes 
be passed through alcohol, they become decomposed, and the alcohol, 
itself’ being acidulated, throws down mercury. ‘The fumes passed 
ugh ee produce a curious clouded appearance, and the water, 
aft 
tra ay or two, throws down mercury. 
