[1584] [That this and other similar chemical phænomena may be of more
advantage than as affording merely subjects for speculation to the
philosopher, although not immediately applicable to any useful purpose,
may be inferred from the valuable application of fulminating mercury,
a somewhat similar compound to that under consideration. This, at
first, as with fulminating gold at present, was a mere curiosity; it
has recently caused the almost complete substitution of percussion for
flint locks in fire-arms, which in addition to the greater certainty
caused by the increased rapidity of the discharge, œconomises the
quantity of powder requisite.
Fulminating mercury is made by dissolving mercury in nitric acid and
pouring the solution into warm alcohol. Effervescence ensues. When
this has ceased, the mixture is poured upon a filter, and well-washed
with water; after draining, the filter is expanded upon plated
copper or stone-ware, heated to 212° by steam or hot water. Dr. Ure
recommends that the powder be mixed with a solution of mastic in
spirits of turpentine, to cause attachment. Its extensive use in making
percussion-caps is well-known. It is however a very dangerous substance
to experiment with, owing to the readiness with which it explodes, and
has caused many very serious accidents.]
[1585] Spielmann, Institut. Chem. p. 288.
[1586] See Preface of B. N. Petræus to the Works of Valentin, Hamb.
1717, 8vo.
[1587] Fr. Basilii Valentini Letztes Testament; Von G. P. Nenter.
Strasb. 1712, 8vo, p. 223.
[1588] See Bergmann on Pulvis fulminans, in his Opuscula Physica et
Chemica, 1780, 8vo, ii. p. 133.
[1589] O. Crollii Basilica Chymica. Franc. (1609), 4to, p. 211.
[1590] J. Beguini Tyrocinium Chymicum was printed for the first time at
Paris, in 1608, 12mo. In the French translation, Les élémens de chymie,
revues, expliquez, etc., par J. L. de Roy; Paris, 1626, 8vo, the
receipt for making _or fulminant_ may be found p. 314.
[1591] Kircheri Magnes. Coloniæ, 1643, 4to, p. 548. The author
says that he found the receipt for preparing it in Liber insignis
de incendio Vesuvii. That I might know whether this work contained
anything respecting the history of aurum fulminans, I inquired after
it. Kircher undoubtedly meant Incendio del Monte Vesuvio, di Pietro
Castelli; in Roma 1632, 4to: but the directions given there, p. 46, for
making _oro fulminante_, are taken from Crollius. Nothing further is to
be found in Kircher’s Mundus Subterraneus.