* — Physics and Chemistry. 103 
- It burns witha voluminous yellow flame, very brilliant and rapid, pro- 
duces no smoke or odor, and leaves little or no residue. If well prepared, 
the products of its combustion are only gaseous. It burns so much 
more rapidly than gunpowder, that the latter is not inflamed by it; and 
not the least inconvenience is felt by burning a flock of it on the naked 
hand. It detonates with some difficulty when struck with the hammer 
on an anvil, and only in the part receiving the blow, the remainder be- 
ing scattered about. Wetting does not injure it, if it is again carefully 
dried. Its 2 aa eure is much greater than that of gunpowder, and 
bee n variously s — different experimenters as from fours to 
an ‘ie board of wood ; and wit ac arge of from 4 to 8 grains, 
sive experiments on the power of cotton-powder which to our know- 
ledge have been made in this country.t His trials were made at the 
ce mills of Mr. O. M. Whipple, near. Lowell, with porruetion 
or proof-mortar, carrying a 24 pound iron ball, at an el of 45°. 
The projectile force of the gun-cotton was greatest when it was 4 Toohey 
packed in the chamber of the eprouvette, leaving the greater portion at 
the breech, on which the ball rested. ** 'wo balls were used differing a 
little in their windage. Four qualities of gun-cotton were used ; the first 
was immersed 25 minutes in the mixed nitric and sulphuric acids. .No. 
2, the same immersed, after drying, in fresh acids for 25 minutes more. 
No. 8, dipped 25 minutes, and then a new portion of fresh acids added, 
and the dip continued for the same time longer. No. 4, called ‘ blasting 
cotton,’ dipped 35 minutes. Two discharges of Mr. Whipple’s best 
rifle powder FF F F, were first made, each one ounce. No. 1 threw 
the ball 288 yards. No. 2 threw it 272 yards. Average 2814 yards. 
The chamber was then soe and charged with e un-cotton. 
discharges. ny one foyt ie ated EMARKS. 
1 eT 7 ie, ae in ‘hander that not 
Il No. 
full, 
2 3 4 100 uae na hata rammed, and 
small wad over cotton, ball No.1. 
ae 3 3 175 Loose, and a little for a bed for 
the ball, ball No. 
4 2 3 272 As in 3d shot, but more bed, ball 
: No. 2 Chars e as in 4th, ball No. Jeboried 
f AGNe Ty} a 453 | oF ark the ground on falling. 
oh aiaeg: | 2 100 Charge as in 4th, ball No. 2. 
7 ve 1 567 Charge as in 4th, ball No.1 
8 4 4 50 Charge ramm mmed hard home, ball 
LAU = Sree Se Se ee elon 
smoke or odor, and with so little noise as not to gel the vA ct lh those in 
chery Sonu othe ~ ot ee ai noite pounaente of this gas detected in 
all ent. Later experiments have emasiner us the cotton- isk is 
bs ti lower tha 
times fi No 670, p36. pid + Lowell Daily Conrier, Dec. 8. 
