MADRAS JOURNAL 



OP 



LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.. 



J\ T o. 10— January, 1836, 



I. — Analysis of the residuum of fired Gunpowder* 



The nature and quantity of the solid products of Gunpow- 

 der after explosion, as given in some scientific works, appear- 

 ing to me to be unsatisfactory, I had occasion lately to attempt 

 the determination of the point by analysis. 



2. — The residuum analysed was obtained from the Madras 

 Powder Mills ; and was collected from an 8-inch iron mortai% 

 after firings of two ounce charges, the composition of t he- 

 powder being — 



Saltpetre.. 75 parts 



Charcoal, 13| „ 



Sulphur...... il| „ 



100 



3. — Several ounces having been procured, two or three 

 preparatory trials were made, which came out very discord- 

 ant ; it occurred from some parts of the substance being 

 alkaline, and some appearing to consist chiefly of charcoal, 

 incombustible, and other matter. The remainder was after- 

 wards pounded and mixed together, and the subsequent trials 

 resulted more uniform : but in order to ensure success, the in- 

 termixture of the whole quantity ought in the first place to 

 be made very intimate and complete, otherwise a great dis- 

 crepancy occurs by operating on separate parcels though they 

 may be taken out of one common stock. 



