glycerine is as 1.4 to 1.45, kieselguhr dynamite being taken as 1.0.

[Footnote A: Roux and Sarran.]




CHAPTER V.

_NITRO-BENZOL, ROBURITE, BELLITE, PICRIC ACID, &c._

Explosives derived from Benzene--Toluene and Nitro-Benzene--Di- and
Tri-nitro-Benzene--Roburite: Properties and Manufacture--Bellite:
Properties, &c.--Securite--Tonite No. 3.--Nitro-Toluene--
Nitro-Naphthalene--Ammonite--Sprengel's Explosives--Picric Acid--
Picrates--Picric Powders--Melinite--Abel's Mixture--Brugère's Powders--
The Fulminates--Composition, Formula, Preparation, Danger of, &c.--
Detonators: Sizes, Composition, Manufacture--Fuses, &c.


~The Explosives derived from Benzene.~--There is a large class of
explosives made from the nitrated hydro-carbons--benzene, C_{6}H_{6};
toluene, C_{7}H_{8}; naphthalene, C_{10}H_{8}; and also from phenol (or
carbolic acid), C_{6}H_{5}OH. The benzene hydro-carbons are generally
colourless liquids, insoluble in water, but soluble in alcohol and ether.
They generally distil without decomposition. They burn with a smoky flame,
and have an ethereal odour. They are easily nitrated and sulphurated;
mono, di, and tri derivatives are readily prepared, according to the
strength of the acids used. It is only the H-atoms of the benzene nucleus
which enter into reaction.