134 PHILOSOPHY OF 



I am indebted to Dr. Faraday for the following 

 mode of preparing it. 



lb. oz. 



Nitrate of potass .... 6 4 



Sulphur 2 8 



Powdered antimony . . 10 



Powdered resin 1 14 



Tallow 10 



Venice turpentine .... 10 



The resin, tallow, and turpentine, are melted 

 together. The sulphur and nitre are then added, 

 being kept hot all the time and well stirred about. 

 The powdered antimony is then added and 

 worked well in it, when it may be formed into 

 the shape required. 



The combustion of this mixture is truly terrific, 

 and the quantity of heat evolved enormous. It 

 also goes on in vacuo as well as in the air, which 

 is true of all deflagrating and detonating com- 

 pounds. All such combustions are attended 

 throughout with expansion of the burning bodies 

 instead of condensation. 



The explosive power of gunpowder may be 

 lessened by augmenting the proportions of char- 

 coal and sulphur. Fuses, which burn with a 

 gradual, or continuous deflagration, are composed 

 in the ratio of 



lb. oz. 



Nitre 4 4 



Sulphur 1 



Common gunpowder ground into meal. . 1 12 



