Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 06.djvu/575

LEFT NITEOGLYCERIN 471 NIXON NITBOGLYCEBIN, a violently ex- plosive substance, easily prepared by dissolving glycerin in a mixture of equal measures of the strongest nitric and svd- phuric acids, previously cooled and pour- ing the solution in a thin stream into a large volume of water, when the nitro- glycerin is precipitated as a colorless heavy oil (sp. gr. 1.6). It is advisable to add the glycerin to the mixed acids in very small quantities at a time, and to cool the mixture in a vessel of water after each addition. When the nitro- glycerin has subsided, the water may be poured off, and the oil shaken severil times with water, so as to wash it thor- oughly. The formation of nitroglycerin resembles that of gvmcotton, three equivalents of hydrogen being removed from the glycerin by the oxidizing ac- tion of the nitric acid, and three equiv- alents of nitric peroxide introduced in their place. This oil is far more violent in its explosive effects than guncotton, more nearly resembling the fulminates, though not so easily exploded. For blasting rocks the nitroglycerin is poured into a hole in the rock, and ex- ploded by the concussion caused by a particular kind of fuse charged with a little gunpowder. It has been stated to produce the same effect in blasting as 10 times its weight of gunpowder, and much damage has occurred from the ac- cidental explosion of nitroglycerin in course of transport. A drop of nitro- glycerin is said to cause very violent headache, and in larger doses is decidedly poisonous. NIVELLE, GENERAL GEORGES ROBERT, French army officer; born in 1857, educated at the Ecole Polytech- nique and St Cyr. Early noted for his horsemanship, he entered the artillery and his first military service was in Al- geria. During the Boxer Rebellion, Ma- jor Nivelle served with the Allied expe- ditionary force in the rescue of the Lega- tions. At the outbreak of the World War Colonel Nivelle commanded the 5th Artillery of the 7th French Army Corps. He was with the French forces during the offensive in Alsace and was cited for bravery in capturing a German gun post. At the Battle of the Ourcq, in the first Battle of the Mame in September, 1914, as the Germans were crossing the river, Colonel Nivelle gathered together 18 guns and fired point-blank at the enemy, cutting them to pieces. Made a Brig- adier-General, Nivelle fought at Soissons and broke the German line at Quenne- vieres. Called to Verdvm in March, 1916, he held the Germans at bay, and recaptured Forts Vaux and Douaumont on Oct. 23, 1916. Was appointed Com- mander-in-Chief in 1917. He visited the United States in November, 1920. NIVELIiES (Flemish Nyvel), a town of Belgium; province of Brabant; on the Thines river; 19 miles S. of Brussels. Its fine Romanesque church (1045) con- tains the relics of Pepin's daughter, St. Gertrude. In 1381 the townsfolk of Ghent were defeated here by Count Louis of Flanders, and 6,000 burned in a monastery. Has manufactures of linen, cotton, and lace. Pop. about 13,000. NIXON, GENERAL SIR JOHN (ECCLES), British army officer; born Aug. 16, 1857. Served in India, holding staff appointments. Served in the Afghan War, 1879-1880 ; Zamusht expe- dition, 1879; (medal) Mahsud Waziri ex- pedition, 1881. Chitral relief force (medal and brevet of Lieutenant-Colo- nel). Chief Staff Officer northwestern frontier of India, 1897-1898. Com- GENERAL GEORGES ROBERT NIVELLE manded a cavalry brigade in South Af- rica, 1901-1902 (medals and 4 clasps, C. B.). Commanded the Bengalore bri- gade, 1903-1906. Inspector-General Cav- alry, India, 1906-1908. Commander of 7th Meerut division, 1903-1910; 1st Peshawar division, 1910-1912. Com- mander southern and northern armies of India, 1912-1915. Commanded the Brit- ish Mesopotamian expedition from April, 1915, to January, 1916, when he re- tired, owing to ill health. Nixon was criticized for the failure of the expedi- tion which led to the siege of Kut-el- Amara by the Turks and the surrender of General Townshend and the Anglo- Indian army. Has published "Notes for Staff Officers on Field Service."