MECHANICS AND USEFUL ARTS. 103 



In experimenting with this new explosive substance, six rounds 

 were first fired with cartridges containing 15 grains of gunpow- 

 der, and a conical bullet, at 15 yards range, which gave an average 

 penetration of 1 1-16 into deal. Six rounds were then fired with 

 10 grains of gun-paper and a conical bullet, at the same range, 

 and gave an average penetration of 1 3-8 into deal. Here was 

 33 per cent, less of paper than powder, and greater penetration 

 with paper. Six rounds followed with an increased charge of 15 

 grains of gun-paper and a conical bullet, at the same range, and 

 at each shot the bullet passed through a 3-inch deal. At 19 yards 

 range, 12 grains of the paper, fired from a pistol of 54 gauge 

 (ll-inch), sent a heavier bullet through a 3-inch deal. A fouled 

 revolver was jiresei'ved four days, but betrayed no symptoms of 

 corrosion after using gun-paper. It is expected that gun-paper 

 will be manulactured cheaper than gunpowder. — London Artisan. 



NEW GUNPOWDERS. 



Some interesting experiments were made in Paris recently 

 with a new kind of gunpowder, the invention of M. Neumann. 

 This composition appears to be very similar to that of ordinary 

 powder, but it has the property of not exploding unless subjected 

 to pressure. When laid upon the ground and ignited, the new 

 gunpowder burns slowly and leaves a thick crust. In the course of 

 the experiment, three barrels, each containing about thi-ee and a half 

 kilos, of powder.were placed in a temjiorary hut,and the powder was 

 ignited by means of a fusee. Large volumes of smoke were seen 

 to issue from the crevices, but no explosion took place, the powder 

 being simply burned. When tried in a rifle, the strength, when 

 the ramrod was well used, was found to be equal to that of ordi- 

 nary gunpowder ; but, when not rammed, it failed even to drive 

 the ball out of the muzzle. The composition of the powder re- 

 mains a secret for the present. 



At a recent meeting of the British Association, a paper was 

 read upon the introduction of a new gunpowder for heavy ord- 

 nance, in which uiti'ate of barytes is substituted for saltpetre in 

 composition ; the consequence being that the powder, when ig- 

 nited, consumes more slowly, and the gases are developed less 

 rapidly, while the same eftect is produced upon the projectile as 

 regards its ultimate velocity. 



NEW GUNPOWDER. 



A new and very powerful gunpowder has been patented by 

 Captain Schultze, of the Prussian Artillery, which possesses some 

 very valuable advantages. In composition and mode of manufac- 

 ture it bears more resemblance to gun-cotton that to ordinary gun- 

 powder ; but its form is that of gunpowder, and it has none of the 

 sjiecially dangerous properties which have hitherto i^revented gun- 

 cotton from coming extensively into practical use. Cotton fibre 

 consists of "cellulose," a compound of six atoms of carbon, five 

 of oxygen, and ten of hydrogen ; while gunpowder is, chemically 



