To extract Silver out of a Ring, that is thick Gilded, so that the gold may remain entire.
Make a little hole through the gold into the silver, then put the ring into aqua-fortis, in a warm place, it will dissolve the silver, and the gold will remain entire.
Light produced by Sugar.
If two pieces of loaf sugar (about a pound each) are struck against each other in the dark, a light blue flame, like lightning, will be produced. The same effect is produced when a loaf of sugar is struck with an iron instrument.
Singular Experiment with the Snuff of a Candle.
When a candle is burned so low as to leave a tolerably large wick, blow it out, a dense smoke will arise, if another candle be applied to the utmost verge of this smoke, a very strange phenomena will take place; the flame of the lighted candle will be carried to the one just blown out, as if it were borne on a cloud; or, more properly speaking, like a flash of lightning, proceeding at a slow rate. The experiment may be performed by blowing out the candle as often as it is lighted.
Artificial Lightning.
Provide a tin tube that is larger at one end than it is at the other, and in which there are several holes. Fill this tube with powdered resin; and when it is shook over the flame of a torch, the reflection will produce the exact appearance of lightning.
To cause a brilliant explosion under water.
Drop a piece of phosphorus, the size of a pea, into a tumbler of hot water; and, from a bladder, furnished with a stop-cock, force a stream of oxygen directly upon it. This will afford a most brilliant combustion under water.