no 
Mr. Davy on some 
2. Properties of the peculiar compound. 
The substance is of a black colour, and in small lumps, 
which are soft to the touch, and easily reduced to an impal- 
pable powder. It readily soils the fingers, or paper. It is 
destitute of lustre. It is tasteless, and apparently unaffected 
either by cold or hot water. It has a peculiar ethereal smell 
that is not easily removed, and probably arises from the pre- 
sence of a little inflammable matter occasioned by the action 
of the alcohol. It seems to undergo no change by exposure 
to the air for some time. When it is gently heated, on a slip 
of platinum or paper, a hissing noise or a feeble explosion is 
produced, and this effect is accompanied by a flash of red 
light, and the platinum is reduced. It is insoluble in nitrous, 
sulphuric, and phosphoric acids, but it dissolves slowly in 
muriatic acid. It is scarcely affected by chlorine, except 
moisture be present, when a little muriate is gradually formed. 
When the powder is put into liquid ammonia, minute glo- 
bules of air are evolved from it, and after some time it ac- 
quires fulminating properties. The quantity of air I have 
hitherto obtained in this way, has been too small to allow me 
to ascertain its nature with precision. When the powder is 
brought in contact with ammoniacal gas, a crackling noise 
is produced, and it becomes red hot and scintillates ; but by 
this treatment, its external appearance is scarcely altered, 
though it undergoes a partial decomposition. The powder 
is immediately decomposed by the agency of alcohol. This 
fact is shown in an interesting manner by moistening different 
substances, such as paper, sand, cork, &c. with alcohol, and 
placing the smallest particle of the powder on them ; it hisses, 
