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the more intimate mechanical mixture of its constituents, is, 
that the quantity of the residue left after combustion is 
increased, and a larger proportion of powder escapes ignition 
altogether when a charge is fired from a gun. If, however, 
larger quantities were submitted to compression, it is probable 
that the closer contact of the particles might be found to act 
beneficially, and a powder be produced of an improved and 
stronger quality, resulting from a judicious application of 
increased pressure and a more perfect system of granulation. 
Dr. Roscoe expressed his opinion that we as yet know 
very little about the chemistry of gunpowder, and drew the 
attention of the Society to the interesting and important 
“ Memoirs on the Analysis of the Products and Combustion 
of Gunpowder,” lately published by Professor Bunsen. He 
found that the decomposition which occurs in an explosion, is 
by no means as simple as was formerly supposed. Besides 
the usual products of carbonic acid, carbonic oxide, nitrogen, 
and sulphide of potassium, Bunsen showed the presence of 
hydrogen, oxides of nitrogen, cyanide of potassium, sulpho- 
cyanide of potassium, sulphate and carbonate of potash, and 
various other salts, the relative quantities of which were all 
determined. 
Several of the Members suggested that the experiments, 
which were highly important, should be repeated. Government 
granting the funds which were requisite to prepare the com- 
pressed gunpowder in the same state of granulation and as it 
is in the samples with which it is to be compared. 
