CAPILLAE-Y TUnES. !:^47 



1 shall conclude these details with a property of this prcci- 

 jiitatc much more extraordinary than those that have been 

 mentioned. 



If a few grains be heated on paper over the flame of a can- Extraordinary- 

 die, they soon melt and explode, emitting their puffs of white property of this 



. . r ' 3 r precii)itatc. 



smoke before they are reduced to the state of pure gold. But 

 if it be first rnixed with a little flowers of sulphur, triturating 

 them together with (he point of an ivory spatula, and then 

 heated gently over the candle, it detonates very easily, and 

 with as sharp a noise as fulminating gold. 



The first of my two precipitates, in which I suspected there 

 was less oxigen than in the second, detonates notvv-itlistanding 

 as well as this. 



The oxide of gold obtained by means of potash, mixed witli 

 sulphur and heated in the same manner, melts obscurely, but 

 without the least tendency to detonation. The detonation of 

 the preceding oxides is a constant property that never fails. 

 If the mixture be scattered about, the detonation equally, 

 takes place; but when the precipitate is well collected toge- 

 ther, the report is single, and consequently very loud. After 

 the detonation nothing is found between the papers but gold in 

 a state of division. 



Now if we reflect on a result thus singular, we shall find gold Singularity sf 

 here rendered fulminating by what destroys this property in tint- powder' 

 ammoniacal fulminating gold ; and without the assistance of 

 ammonia we bring it to produce effects, the explanation of 

 which must necessarily shake the veiy theory of fulminating 

 gold. What influence can the two muriates of mercury have 

 in this detonation ? This remains to be inquired. 



(The conclusion in our next.) 



XII. 



Note from Thomas Young, M.D. F.R.S.,S)C. recom- 

 mending the Translation of a Memoir of M. Laplace. 

 With some Remarks, 



To 



