352 Apparatus for Rock Blasting. 
solid and permanent effect, upon the human mind, than the impres- 
sion of a splendid scene. ‘To return, however, to our immediate 
subject and its connexion with the cause of human knowledge :— 
we may well regret that, with so much to be known apparently with- 
in our reach, so little that is definite should be, as yet, disclosed. 
Yet the success—partial though it be—which has rewarded the few 
investigations which have been perseveringly made, yields an induce- 
ment to more systematic effort; and we trust that individuals who 
have the time at command, will deem it, even now, a labor well be- 
stowed, to rescue from oblivion any one well ascertained fact respec- 
ting these wonderful phenomena. 
Art. [X.—Communications by Dr. Hare. 
1. Description of a process, and an apparatus, for Blasting Rocks, 
by means of Galvanic Ignition. 
Remark.—That portion of this article which precedes the first cut, 
was published in this Journal (Vol. xxi. p. 139.)—but, it is thought 
best to republish it now in connexion with the additional illustrations, 
rather than give the reader the trouble of looking into the separate 
volumes.—Ed. 
I have observed various accounts in the newspapers of workmen 
killed or dreadfully lacerated, by the blasting of rocks. 
This, and many like occurrences will, I presume, create sufficient 
interest in the following communication, to justify its appearance in 
the American Journal of Science. 
I have ascertained that by a new application of galvanism, rocks 
may be riven with less danger than that which attends the firing of a 
pistol. Iwas induced to attempt this improvement in consequence of 
an application by a patentee (Mr. Moses Shaw,) for assistance in per- 
fecting his patented mode of blasting rocks, by an electrical discharge 
from a Leyden jar. 
In a letter dated June Ist, 1831, he says, ‘‘I have been eneaaiel 
in blasting rocks by means of a fulminating powder, introduced into 
several cavities, and ignited in all of them simultaneously, by a spark 
from an electrical machine, by which means masses of a much larger 
size, and of a much more suitable shape, for any object in view, may 
