58 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Maicll 



same manner a bag of gunpowder will blow open the gate of a 

 town, which would not be injured by the explosion of an equal 

 weight of loose or unpacked gnn cotton. 



Enclosed in a case or gun, the effect of gun cotton is three times 

 greater than that of powder, and for blasting purposes it is twelve 

 times greater. When the cotton is converted into gun cotton in the 

 state of twist or yarn, and afterwards plaited, it may be made into 

 cartridges of almost any proportion of projectile force ; and this 

 force is increased per weight of cotton. The recoil is one- third 

 greater in the case of gunpowder, than that caused by gun cotton. 

 Gun cotton is found not to heat the gun to the same extent as 

 as gunpowder ; the former can be repeatedly wetted and dried 

 again without injury, which is a great advantage over gunpowder. 

 In confined places, such as mines and casements, the absence of 

 sulphurous smoke, enables workmen and soldiers to continue firing 

 for any length of time without inconvenience. 



The relative power and proportions of gunpowder and gun 

 cotton, may be inferred from the following tables, compiled by 

 Mr. Scott Russell : — 



PRODUCTS. 



100 lbs. yields I 100 lbs. yields 



68 lbs solid, 32 lbs. gases. I 25 lbs. steam, 75 lbs. gas. 



Professor Abel, the able chemist at Woolwich laboratory, points 

 out two distinct actions of nitric acid upon cotton. If the nitric 

 acid be permitted to act at a high temperature, and in an ener- 

 getic manner, the carbon and hydrogen of the cotton may be com- 

 pletely oxydized. When, however, the temperature is controlled, 

 and the action moderated, the hydrogen is removed in gradations, 

 peroxide of nitrogen being substituted for it, and various 

 compounds formed in definite proportion. Thus, when the atoms 

 of hydrogen are replaced by two of nitric oxide Xyloidine is pro- 

 duced 



C. 24H. ISJQoo 



2 N.O. 4}^' ~" 



When three atoms of hydrogen are replaced, pyroxiliue, or collo- 

 dion cotton is produced 



C. 24 H. 17 I ^ <,. 



3 N.O. 4J^-^- 



