ABSTRACT
This chapter illustrates the great importance of explosive agents in the operations of civil industry. The use of gunpowder in all such operations as those which have been referred to is too well known to require description. The formation of cuttings and tunnels, and the removal of rocks in mining operations, are not the only service which explosive agents render to the industrial arts; besides other uses which might be enumerated, the preparation of foundations for buildings, bridges, harbours, and lighthouses. The common popular expressions by which the two classes of explosives just referred to are distinguished are “high explosives” and “low explosives.” Yellow prussiate of potash and sugar sometimes replace both the charcoal and sulphur of gunpowder in this class. Explosives of this chlorate class are usually dangerous to manufacture, and are often very sensitive, and also liable to changes by keeping, which render them still more dangerous.
