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446 Mr. Sturgeon on the Ignition of Gunpowder 
is very trifling, when compared to that which is heard by a 
similar discharge through metal. Convinced by this circum- 
stance that the nature of the discharge is modified in a pecu- 
liar manner by passing the fluid through water ; yet, as I had 
never succeeded in igniting gunpowder by a discharge through 
the aqueous medium, it appeared evident that something more 
than this fact was necessary to be understood. I therefore 
became desirous to ascertain, if possible, the real cause why 
other experimenters succeeded, and why every attempt that I 
had made proved unsuccessful. 
It is well known, that if a red-hot iron be applied to gun- 
powder, the latter does not immediately ignite, but that some 
interval of time (however small) does certainly elapse before 
one single grain is on fire: and that it is possible for a red 
hot iron to be passed over the hand with such velocity, as to 
produce scarcely any sensation of heat. Hence my first ob- 
ject, now, was to devise some means of retarding the velocity 
of the electric fluid: for I considered that if this could be ac- 
complished, more time would be afforded for the fluid and 
gunpowder to be in contact, and the latter, in consequence, 
more likely to be ignited. 
I likewise supposed that if the electric fluid be retarded by 
being transmitted through water, it was likely that a jar would 
not be quite discharged by a very sudden contact; as it was 
probable that if the discharging rod was quickly withdrawn 
from the knob of the jar, that the whole of the fluid would 
not have time to make its escape. But several trials in this 
way, through a large tub of water, seemed to discharge the 
jar as effectually as if the whole circuit had been of metal. 
Although these experiments were by no means satisfactory, 
yet I always observed that the report was much feebler, and 
that gunpowder placed in the circuit was not blown or scat- 
tered to so great a distance, when the discharge was made 
through water, as when a similar discharge was transmitted 
through metal. Hence it was obvious, that the force had by 
some means abated; but whether by retardation, or by some 
change in the physical character of the electric fluid, I was 
at that time unable to determine. 
Some time afterwards, an idea suggested, that if the electric 
fluid be retarded at all by passing through water, perhaps 
the water possesses this property in consequence of its inferior 
conducting capacity with respect to metals and other good 
conductors; and if so, the velocity of the electric fluid might 
be reduced to almost any degree, by reducing the diameter of 
the column of water through which it had to pass. For it is 
evident that the conducting power of any body will be pro- 
portional 
