18G9.] EDWARDS — CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES. 59 



By the precautions adopted in the Austrian army, a definite 

 compound has been produced for martial purposes. 

 C. 25 H. 15 



5N.0. 4^^-20 

 The cotton loosely spun with yarn, is boiled in a weak solution of 

 alkali, in order to remove more easily oxidized materials which 

 would consume a portion of the nitric acid. After this washing 

 the yarn is dried in a centrifugal drying machine, and immersed 

 in a solution of 1 part by weight nitric acid, Spgr. 1.5, and 3 parts 

 sulphuric acid, 1.845. To secure uniformity of result, it is 

 allowed to remain in this acid for forty-eight hours ; great care being 

 taken that the temperature does not rise during the operation. 

 When loosely arranged the Austrian cotton inflames at a tempera- 

 ture of 300*^, it burns without smoke, and leaves no ashes. 

 When twisted into yarn its rapidity of combustion is diminished, 

 and by varying the degree and tightness of the twist, various 

 rates of burning may be obtained, from the rifle cartridge to the 

 mining fuse. Economically, these results all tell in favor of the 

 gun cotton over gunpowder, in every modification of its grain ; and 

 in many respects the actual manufacture of gun cotton is the safer 

 of the two. 



In competition with these substances are explosive derivatives 

 of the same type from starch and sugar ; but these have not at 

 present shown any commercial capabilities. A formidable oppo- 

 nent to gun cotton has, however, appeared in the product of gly- 

 cerine, the waste product from soap manufacture, which is 

 converted by nitric acid into nitro-glycerine or glonoine. This 

 substance was discovered in 1847 by Sobrero, but its manufacture 

 on a commercial scale is due to the persevering enterprise of M. 

 Nobel, a Swedish chemist, who has established six factories for 

 its manufacture. The Nitro-glycerine Company in Stockholm, 

 sold, in 18G5, 32,258 feet, in 1866, 48,785 feet, in 1867, 76,575 

 feet, and in 1868, 150,009 feet, which shows the rapid increase 

 in the demand for this explosive, this quantity being principally 

 consumed in Sweden for mining purposes. 



Nitro-glycerine is an oily fluid, having a specific gravity of 1.6. 

 It is insoluble in water, but soluble both in wine and wood alco- 

 hol, and in ether. It freezes at 46"^ F. and explodes at 350° F. 

 Flame will not always ignite it, and when struck on an anvil only 

 the portion actually struck explodes. It is exploded by agitation, 

 and by friction, which is a source of danger in its handling, and 



