7 
Chemical Preparations. 295 
After all, I have only verified M. Liebeg’s discovery of fulminic 
acid, and devised a detonating compound of tremendous power, which 
can be prepared with more safety, and at less expense than detona- 
ting silver. 
‘ % * * 
A bottle and phial contain alcoholic solution of chloric ether. The 
contents of the phial are as strorig as I could conveniently prepare 
them, but not equal to some which I made not long ago. It is a live- 
ly spirited preparation. 
Since writing my article on starch sugar, I perceive in Gray’s Op- 
erative Chemist, a direction that the wooden converter should be lin- 
ed with lead. This is wrong—in the first place, it is entirely unne- _ 
céssary, as the acid so much diluted does not act on wood. In the 
second place, either the acid or the syrup or both will act upon the 
kad and poison the product. 
You have told me to write freely, and I trust you will not com- 
plain of the length of this communication. Nor must you com- 
plain against the fulminating character of my letters; for I have 
lived for many years in the midst of explosions, and even whilst 
writing this letter, I have been interrupted by the noise of a heavy 
explosion, followed by the thrill scream of “ fire” from my alcohol 
illery. The history of the accidents, effects of explosion, danger, 
“capes, and contrivances growing out of my yellow powder business 
Would fill a volume; and with the percussion powder which I now 
make I have had probably one hundred explosions more or less se- 
vere. Thirty pounds of the powder is the largest quantity I have had 
a of the chlorate of potash, and when I get through, I shall be 
With great respect, your obedient servant, 
SamueL GurTurie. 
Sicket's-Harbor, Sept. 12, 1831. 
Mr. Guthrie’s preparations have all arrived, and although I reserve the trial of 
nse of them, to my winter course of experiments, I am impressed with admiration 
at his skill and intrepidity.—Ep. 
