44 



Experiments zipon Gunpowder. 



certainty be determined with respect to the best form 

 for the chambers of pieces of ordnance, or the most ad- 

 vantageous situation for the vent ; nor can the force of 

 powder, or the strength that is required in different 

 parts of the gun, be ascertained with any degree of 

 precision. 



As it would be easy to determine the best situation 

 for the vent from the velocity of the inflammation of 

 powder being known, so, on the other hand, I had hopes 

 of being able to come at that velocity by determining 

 the effect of placing the vent in different parts of the 

 charge ; for which purpose the following experiments 

 were made : — 



A T'able of Experiments shewing the Effect of placing the 

 Vent in different Parts of the Charge. 



By the foregoing experiments it appears that the 

 difference in the force of any given charge of powder 



