[»8o] 
t I , 
tenths. And the fame Weight of frefh Powder being 
fired in the fame manner, funk the Gage to Twenty- 
two Inches Three- fourths 5 the Difference being fio 
or ~ of an Inch. * * * • 
From thefe Experiments the Committee are of 
Opinion, that the Firft Part of the Firft Queftion, Whe- 
ther all the ‘Powder of the Charge be fired? is fuffici- 
cntly determined in the Negative. 
As to the Second Part of the Firft Queftion, Whe- 
ther all the. Powder that is fired, be fired before the 
Bullet is fenfibly moved from its Place ? the Com- 
mittee are of Opinion, That the Bullet is fenfibly 
moved from its Place , before all the Powder that is 
fired, has taken Fire. 
This, indeed, has not been determined by any dired 
Experiment, but feems a Confequence of the Deter- 
mination of the Firft Part of the Queftion, that the 
Whole of the Charge is not fired. 
For let it be conftdered, that from the Moment 
any Part of the Powder within the Barrel takes Fire, 
the Flame of the Powder already fired is always con- 
tiguous to fome Part of the Powder as yet unfired 
and confequently fome Part- of this laft muft be con- 
tinually taking Fire, fo long as any unfired Powder 
remains within the Barrel ; that is, the firing of the 
Powder cannot be over, till all the unfired Powder is 
driven out of the Gun : But before any Part, how 
fmall foever, of the unfired Powder is driven out of 
the Gun, the Bullet which lies between the Charge 
and theMuzzle, muft necefiarily have been driven out 
of the Gun. Therefore the firing of the Powder is 
not over, or all the Powder that is fired, is not fired, 
till after the Bullet is driven out of the Gun. And 
con- 
