Amongst the industries of new creation worth the attention of the science, is the fabri-cation of fulminating and percussion powders. The universal adoption of percussion arms for war purposes is the origin of the rapid development of this new fabrication. Then, if we consider that there exists a small number of manufactures more unhealthful than that of the fulminating powders, and none more dangerous, we shall see the utility of a work, the object of which is to indicate all the peculiarities of this fabrication, all its inconveniences and dangers, and at last the improvements to be applied in the different processes.

In 1810, a gunmaker of Paris, Mr. Prelat, introduced in France a lock-plate constructed on an English model, and in which the powder, composed by Berthollet, was used for a primer, that is a composition in which the chlorate of potash took the place of ordinary powder. This powder took fire by the shock of a piston, on which fell the piece performing the functions of a hammer.

At the same time Lepage began to distinguish himself amongst those who were trying to surmount the difficulties connected with the use of primers inflammable by shock.

Deboubert constructed also an ingenious gun; and in 1812 Pauly took out a patent for a similar fire-arm which could bo loaded at the breech, and among several advantages it presented was that of not being liable to injury from rain or dampness.

The following year these firearms were improved, and in 1814 Brillat-Savarin announced that Pauly's guns could be advantageously used in the army.

However, notwithstanding the real advantages that the fulminating powders seem to have as percussion powders, advantages proclaimed by all the savants, the sum of the inconveniences outweighed the advantages.

The bad effects of the chlorate of potash were indicated in 1812 by Regnier, relatively to a new rifle invented by Gosset: Regnier declares that before this new gun could be of any use it would bo necessary that the percussion powders should combine several essential qualities: 1st. Easy transportation without danger; 2d, That they do not oxidize firearms, as was the case with chlorate of potash ; 3d. That they do not absorb the dampness of the air, as was the case with fulminate of silver.

Its provisions are now realized. In 1818 Lepage invented a new fowling-piece in which the prime was not chlorate of potash nor fulminate of silver, but fulminate of mercury, and it is to the use of this compound that is due the revolution operated in the fabrication of firearms. From all the fulminates, that of mercury is the only one now used.