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MESSRS. T. PRENTICE AND Co.'s GUN-COTTON FACTORY, STOWMARKET.

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THOMAS RICHARDSON, M.A., PH.D., F.R.S.E., M.R.I.A., ASS. INST. C.E., &c.

READER IN CHEMISTRY IN THE UNIVERSITY OF DURHAM ;

AND

HENRY WATTS, B.A., F.C.S.,

EDITOR OF THE JOURNAL OF THE CHEMICAL SOCIETY.

Second Edition,

ILLUSTRATED WITH NUMEROUS WOOD ENGRAVINGS.

VOL. I-PART IV.

ACIDS, ALKALIES, AND SALTS,

THEIR MANUFACTURE AND APPLICATIONS.

LONDON:

H. BAILLIÈRE, PUBLISHER, 219, REGENT STREET.

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PREFACE.

WE regret our inability to complete the Second Edition of our First Volume with the present Part. The quantity of new matter at our disposal compels us to publish what still remains, in another Part, in which will be found the Organic Acids and their Salts, together with the Abstracts of Patents, and the Chemical Tables.

The present volume contains a description of the production of various Alkaline Salts of a miscellaneous character, and we have grouped them, as far as possible, in relation to their manufacturing affinities; for example, Silicate of Soda, Artificial Stone, and Stereochromy are grouped together; Chlorate of Potash, Phosphorus and Lucifer Matches form another group; whilst the Nitrates of Soda and Potash, Nitric Acid, Gunpowder, Gun-cotton, and Pyrotechnics form a third group.

In the chapter on Phosphorus, we are indebted to Mr. Albright, of Oldbury, for valuable information on the Manufacture of Amorphous Phosphorus, which we hope will soon be exclusively used in the production of Lucifer Matches. The employment of this form of Phosphorus would at once deliver the workpeople from the terrible scourge to which they are now unfortunately

liable, as well as remove the risk of fire and of poison which accompanies the use of this material in its ordinary state. The use of the Amorphous Phosphorus has been strongly urged by MM. Tardeau and Chevalier in their Reports, and by Dr. Bristowe in the valuable Report for 1862, by Mr. Simon, the Medical Officer of the Privy Council

The chapter on Saltpetre contains full details of the various processes for the conversion of Nitrate of Soda into this Salt. The Patent of Mr. Hill of Deptford, having expired, a great revolution is taking place in this trade; and instead of depending upon India for a supply of this important material, the Potash from the Vinasse, Kelp-liquors, and the Salt beds of Luneburg are now being employed in increasing quantities for the manufacture of Nitrate of Potash,

The chapter on Gunpowder has been greatly extended, and several new patent processes and materials have been fully described. The important experiments of Bunsen and Schischkoff, as well as those of Karolyi on the gases produced by the explosion of Gunpowder, have been given in considerable detail. We are also greatly indebted to the able Chemist of the War Department for much valuable information he has communicated, and for his kindness in revising the proof sheets of this chapter.

We are also enabled, by the kindness of Dr. Gladstone and Mr. J. Scott Russell, to include, in the present volume, a very interesting and valuable account of the chemical history and mechanical effects of Gun-cotton, which has been prepared by these gentlemen. This wonderful material—“ the explosive of the future"-promises to acquire an importance superior to that of Gunpowder: its advantages, which will be found fully detailed in the chapters referred to, being, uniformity of composition; greater safety in manufacture; non-liability to

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