Process for a Fulminating Powder, Sfc. 269 



Isolation of calcium by the deflagration in a receiver of desi- 

 cated hydrogen, of the compound formed by igniting in a close ves- 

 sel, bieyanide of mercury with pure quick lime. 



By exposing the compound of cyanogen with calcium, ob- 

 tained as above mentioned, either in vacuo or in an atmos- 

 phere- of desiccated hydrogen to a current from two hundred 

 pairs of Cruikshank plates, each comprising 100 square inches of 

 zinc surface, the calcium appeared to be isolated. Particles dis- 

 playing metallic characteristics under the burnisher, and which 

 effervesced in water, were observed, while the gas escaping had 

 an odor resembling that of silicuretted hydrogen evolved by 

 silicuret of potassium under like circumstances. 



Deflagration of phosphuret of calcium. — By exposure of the 

 phosphuret of calcium to the current from the deflagrators, as 

 above described, calcium containing a trace of phosphorus ap- 

 peared to remain. The phosphorus was condensed upon the 

 receiver in sufficient quantity to obscure the glass. The residual 

 mass thrown into water effervesced extricating hydrogen slightly 

 phosphoric in its odor. When compounds of carbon with calcium 

 were similarly exposed, the residue had a metallic appearance, but 

 did not decompose water. 



On one occasion a portion of the charcoal forming the anode 

 was fused into a globule, having the consistency and other char- 

 acteristics of plumbago. It appeared more compact than the 

 globules obtained by us many years since of which a portion was 

 forwarded to Dr. Hare at the time. 



Of Prof DanielVs adoption of Dr. Hare's method of igniting 

 gunpowder by galvanic ignition. 



During the summer of 1831, a method of igniting gunpowder 

 by galvanism was contrived by Dr. Hare, the idea having been 

 suggested by the abortive efforts of an ingenious individual of the 

 name of Shaw, to effect this object by mechanical electricity. Of 

 the apparatus described for the purpose in question by Dr. Hare, 

 engravings and descriptions were published in this Journal in the 

 Autumn of 1833. We advert to these facts now, in consequence 

 of the recent publication of analogous experiments by Prof Dan- 

 iell of Kings' College, who in this case, as well as in that of his 

 "re-invention" of a hydro-oxygen blowpipe of Dr. Hare, was no 

 doubt ignorant that he had been anticipated. 



