46 British Artillery Matertel. (January, 
introduced through a hole in the side. On the pyrolithe 
taking fire the head of the.keg was blown out with a slight 
report, and the material then burnt rapidly away. 
6. Small wooden keg filled with pyrolithe from No. 2 
cask. 
In order to prevent the head of the keg being too readily 
blown out, and to represent the condition of barrels stacked 
one on the other, a weight of about 50 lbs. of iron was 
placed on the head. 
The pyrolithe on being ignited blew the head and the 
weight off with a decided report, and having thus found a 
vent burnt rapidly away. 
7. Quarter casks, I, 2, and 3 (containing about 20 lbs. of 
pyrolithe in each) headed up, placed in original 
packing case, and then covered over with shavings 
and wood. 
In a few minutes after the shavings and wood were 
ignited, one cask caught and burnt violently ; in about 15 
seconds more the second cask caught and the flame became 
more violent; and in about 30 seconds the third cask 
caught, and caused an almost explosive burst of flame; the 
whole then burnt with considerable fierceness until con- 
sumed. 
On full consideration of the results the Committee are of 
opinion that under conditions which might arise in con- 
nection with the manufacture, transport, or storage of 
pyrolithe, its ignition would be followed by a more or less 
violent explosion, and consequently the character of this 
substance comes within the meaning of the Act quoted. 
Samples of pyrolithe from each of the three casks were 
forwarded to the Chemist to War Department for analysis, 
and the following are the results obtained :— 
Soluble matter Composition. 
consisting of nitrates, ~ ar Paves 
Description of Sample. carbonate of soda, F ee 
and Sulphur. Saw- C&D A8© 
sulphate of soda. dust. wioisenea 
DG. Ayes oe sien’ uate Serta eyo 16°00 =613'06 g'or 
S.M. 
8C. ; : : ; 
No. 2, P.=- Spee ae 73°08 16°12 10°80 8°88 
No 3, not marked. . . +. 69°89 .16°36  Z9°7Q ee 
Old sample which mae) 
been in Major Majendie’s 70°94 16°14 12°92 3°07 
possession for some time. | 
