1847-] Memoranda on Explosive Cotton. 189 



storing on the powers of even the best kind, I confidently recom- 

 mend Mr. Siddon's preparation to the sportsmen of Bengal. Those who 

 once try the smokeless cotton in a tiger encounter will not readily fore- 

 go its use for this and similar purposes. I should add that it is not 

 suited for the patent breech, but it answers admirably in the military 

 two-grooved rifle. I have no apprehension about its alleged bursting 

 properties. I have now used it with pistols and rifles, and witnessed its 

 use with cannon and mortars to such an extent, as to warrant my expres- 

 sing the most decided opinion, that regarding the best kind of cotton 

 as 4 times the strength of powder all ordinary proportional charges 

 may be used with but the same risk as would be attendant on the explo- 

 sion of powder. The extraordinarily effective use of cotton in mining or 

 blasting has been already proved by the extensive trials made in Europe. 

 Here again cost is the only objection to be vanquished. 



I should not conclude however without stating for the consolation of 

 the powder interest that for the manufacture of rockets the cotton is 

 apparently useless — neither would it produce the effect of powder if 

 fired in bags against a gate, as in the memorable instance of Ghuzni ; 

 nor can it be used in the loading of Shrapnell shells. 



I have now endeavoured to give an impartial account of the merits and 

 defects of this new explosive. In the hands of the Artillery officers at 

 Dum-Dum it could not but have met a candid and liberal trial — and al- 

 though the Select Committee with myself may be but of one opinion as to 

 the present inapplicability of gun cotton to military purposes, all must 

 participate in the feeling that the utmost credit is due to Professor 

 Schoenbein for his most interesting and promising invention. 



Table 

 Of observations on hygrometric properties of the best kind of Gun 



Cotton. 



The cotton used was of the finest kind, 100 grains were dried till it 

 ceased to loose weight, were placed in the left pan of a Kater's balance, 

 sensible to -^ of a grain. The frame of the balance was perforated so 

 as to allow the air to circulate freely through it. 

 6th February, 1847. 4 p. m. grains 100.00 Remarks. 



7th, noon. „ 100.40 



2 p. m. „ 100.23 

 4 p.m. „ 100.20 



