Mr. Davy on a new fulminating platinum. 14,1 
lacerated, but the greatest effect was produced on the lowest 
slip. The results were analogous when the powder was 
placed between two slips of thin sheet copper, or platinum, 
and exploded. 
In one experiment, 1 \ grain of the powder (containing par- 
ticles of paper from the filter,) was put between two flat 
slips of sheet copper, they were bound together by strong 
copper wire, and to render them more secure, the ends of 
the upper slip were made to lap closely over those of the 
under slip. They were then put on the ring of a brass stand, 
on the floor, and a lighted taper was placed so as to com- 
municate in a gradual manner a sufficient degree of heat to 
explode the powder. In about four minutes this effect took 
place. The report was very loud ; the slips were thrown on 
a high table at a distance of several feet; the wire still held 
them loosely together, but both were considerably depressed, 
and especially the lower slip, which in two places, to the 
extent of half an inch, had its parts folded, the one over the 
other. These experiments, though on a very limited scale, 
are sufficient to prove that the powder is capable of exerting 
a very considerable power, when fired by heat. Its explo- 
sive force appears to be exerted in all directions, but princi- 
pally downwards. By thoroughly drying the powder, and 
gradually raising it to the temperature at which it explodes, 
its fulminating property is very much increased. Before it 
explodes, its colour varies, and from being brown, it becomes 
almost black. At the instant of the explosion a flash of light 
is perceived, and the powder is totally dispersed. In all these 
circumstances, there is a very near coincidence between ful- 
minating platinum and fulminating gold, and I shall again 
