DISCHARGING OF ORDNANCE, 50B 



sulphur was converted into vapour ; at this time 

 the plate was too hot to be touched by the hand. 



Experiment 7. — A grain of the fulminating 

 powder, and the same quantity of gunpowder, were 

 put upon a tin-plate, at 2 inches distance ; and at 

 the centre below was put a spirit-lamp. The fol- 

 lowing is the result of the time of explosion in se- 

 veral trials. 



'Fulminating' Powder. Gunpowder. 



in 32 seconds. in 46 seconds. 



28 44 



25 60 



29 62 



40 70 



45 85 



30 60 



40 60 



41 60 



60 92 



In obtaining these results, the distance at which 

 the spirit-lamp was put below the tin-plate some- 

 times varied considerably, but it was always so 

 near as to spread a little upon its surface. This, 

 however, so far accounts for the great difference 

 between the periods of explosion in the same pow- 

 der. 



Experiment 8. — A piece of cartridge flannel 

 was tied over the under part (B) of the tube, and 



