2 Mr. T. Ransome on the Composition 



The mean of three experiments to ascertain the increase in 

 weight in converting cotton-wool into gun-cotton was G^'l 

 upon each 100 parts of cotton : if this increase was anhydrous 

 nitric acid, the gun-cotton would contain 10-20 per cent, of 

 nitrogen. 



Composition in 100 parts, taking the mean of the analyses 

 of carbon and hydrogen, — 



Carbon 26*28 



Hydrogen 3"16 



Oxygen 60-36 



Nitrogen 10-20 



100-00 



These numbers nearly represent the formula C,2H802oN2, 

 which would contain in 100 parts — 



Carbon 26-82 



Hydrogen 2-94- 



Oxygen 59'70 



Nitrogen 10'54 



100-00 

 The cotton used was also analysed, being burnt with chro- 

 mate of lead instead of oxide of copper. 



1*435 gr. gave 2-325 grs. of carbonic acid and -91 gr. of 

 water. 



In 100 parts- 

 Carbon 44-20 



Hydrogen 7'04 



Oxygen 48*76 



100-00 

 Theoretical composition of C,2 H,q Ojq — 



Carbon 44'4,4 



Hydrogen 6*17 



Oxygen 49*39 



100 00 



From these formulae, it appears that gun-cotton is formed 

 from ordinary cotton by ti)e abstraction of two atoms of hy- 

 drogen and the addition of two atoms of nitric acid. If this 

 is the case, 100 parts of cotton ought to increase to 165*4; by 

 experiment they increase to 164*1. The abstraction of two 

 atoms of hydrogen will make the nitrogen -18 per cent, more, 

 which brings it nearer to the theoretical composition. 



If this formula be correct, the cotton in exploding without 

 the presence of oxygen would be converted entirely into car- 

 bonic oxide, water and nitrogen, thus: — 



