Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-04-05

PERCUSSION OF ILLUMINATING POWDER

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PERCUSSION OF ILLUMINATING POWDER
If the word " diabolical - can be properly
applied to any substance that chemical artifce
has produced, it certainly belongs to this, which,
from the terraic power and force Of its sxplo-
sion, truly deserves that title. The extraordi-
nary power of Eliminating mercury or, as it
is commonly termed, percussion powder, prohib-
its its use as a projectile, because we have not
yet made any cannon capable OF withstanding
its force, if fired in any quantity at once. Suf-
6cient to project u ball or bomb-sheli would
4 completely shatter canncn on tile instant Of
explosion. 1t is strange mixture that produ-
ces Illuminating powder-such a combination as
none but true chemist would think of making.
illuminate is prepared with nitric acid (extract-
ed from saltpetre,) alcohol (that is spirits of
wino.) and mercury. These substances are the
Representatives of the atmospheric, the botanic,
and mineral portions of the world and al
though they are here united, they have but lit
tie affinity to each other, and are only waiting
to fy asunder at the slightest call. The fall of
feather upon pure Illuminating powder will
sometimes cause it to explode. We would des-
cribe the method of its manufacturer did VIC
not fear to do SO, lest some of our ingenious
readers should attempt to produce it, None
but persons of the greatest experience should
ever touch it. Not long ago the principal ope-
rative at Apothecaries' Hail. a man extremely
cautious, and of profound experience, was shiv-
cred to pieces while drying an ounce of it, AS
a means Of igniting gunpowder, it has proved
in warfare Of great service, as it adds to the
force of the powder. Eight and a half parts
of powder fired with percussion caps, are quite
equal in force to ten parts of gunpowder, fired
in the old way by means of the "pan and
flint" One ounce of illuminate is more than
enough for charging thousand caps. In charg-
ing the caps, the illuminate is mixed with
quarter of its weight of water and half its
weight Of gunpowder the whole is then ground
together with wooden muller upon marble
slab. Percussion powder, like gunpowder, owes
its terrific force to the concentration into solid
form of the clements of air in the immediate
Ijuxtaposition of combustible materials, which,
when fired, assume instantaneously the air shape
and bulk, which is, by the heat developed at
the instant of explosion, iearfully increased in
size. All substances that contain great deal
of oxygen will "explode more OF less when in
contact with combustibles, although not includ-
cd in the category Of war-like stores Thus,
at Gateshead, during the late fire there, dread
full explosions took place, although no gunpowd-
er was present. Some of the warehouses con-
tanned vast quantities of nitrate of soda, sub
stance of similar composition to nitrate of pot
ash (saltpetre). The naptha and the sulphur
being mixed with this, formed compound pre-
cisely similar to, although not identical with,
{ gunpowder Chemists are, however, aoquaint-
ed with many substances far more explosive than
, illuminate, such as chloride of nitrogen, pound
Of which would annihilate the strongest fort in
the world By the time the chemists have
taught us to control this frghtfal power, let US
hope that the peace of nations will have rend'
cred it useless. SErTMus PlEssS
London