600 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. , [aNNO 1742. 



The committee then proceeded to examine what alteration might arise from 

 a greater length of chace. The experiments in this case were made with a 

 barrel 3 feet Q inches in length, and ^ of an inch in the bore; the charges of 

 powder, and weight of leaden balls, were as before. 



In the first 3 experiments, with 6 dwts. charge, without ball, the quantities 

 of powder collected were, 3 grs. Q grs. and g grs. respectively. In the next 3 

 experiments, with 12 dwts. charge, without ball, the quantities of powder col- 

 lected were 13 grs. Qgrs. and l6-i-grs. The 3 following experiments were with 

 6 dwts. charge, and a ball. The powder collected was 2 grs. 3 grs. and 2 grs. 



The last experiments were made with 12 dwts. charge, and ball, as before; 

 the quantities of powder collected from 2 discharges were respectively, 2 grs. 

 and 44- grs. The frame being broken, a 3d experiment could not be made. 



The powder collected after the several discharges was put into separate boxes; 

 it seemed much bruised, and mixed with dirt. Yet several of the parcels being 

 tried, fired with brisk explosions; and some of the powder collected from the 

 experiments with the short barrel, amounting to 6 dwts. 1 6 grs. being put into 

 the long barrel, and fired with ball, went off with a strong report; and the ball 

 pierced the deal-board, at the end of the frame, and penetrated 2 inches deep 

 into an elm-plank, placed to receive the balls. 



Some gentlemen, present at these experiments, suspecting that part of the 

 powder might escape at the open end of the frame; the short barrel was fired 

 with 12 dwts. of powder and ball, as before, through a very large funnel; the 

 quantities found, after 3 discharges, were severally 1 dwt. 2 grs. l6grs. and 

 J 5 grs. Whereas on removing the funnel, and discharging the piece, as before, 

 1 dwt. 11 grs. was collected, agreeably to former experiments; it seems that 

 the funne had a like effect as lengthening the piece. 



Some experiments were also made with the short barrel, filled up with lead, 

 so as to leave but 3|- inches for the chace ; the piece being then charged with 

 12 dwts. of powder, and ball, as before; the surface of the ball was but a of an 

 inch within the mouth of the piece, and the powder collected, after 3 dis- 

 charges, was respectively, 2 dwts, 2 grs. 1 dwt. 17 grs, and 1 dwt. 1 1 grs. 



The barrel being further filled up, so as to leave only 2a inches for the chace, 

 and charged as before, the ball rising about 4- of an inch beyond the mouth of 

 the piece, the powder collected, after the discharge, was 2 dwts. 6 grs. On a 

 2d trial, the ball being as much within the mouth, 1 dwt. l6 grs. were collected. 

 And at the 3d trial, the ball being level with the mouth, 2 dwts. 6 grs. were 

 again found. 



The committee also caused some experiments to be made of the effect of a 

 touch-hole near the fore-part of the charge. They found, on discharging the 



