Sept. 11, 1875. 
359 
for sporting and military purposes; several others have 
given fully as favorable indications of so doing, but 
after repeated trials and experiments, have been given 
up as lacking in some essential requirement. The ex 
plosive known as “gun-cotton,” perhaps, came nearest 
to answering the requisite conditions; and so much was 
thought of it at one time in Austria, that its use in cer- 
tain batteries of ordnance was established by the gov- 
ernment; but further experience demonstrated its im- 
perfections, and its use was shortlj afterward aban- 
doned. The exact composition of Dittmar’s powder is 
probably known to but very few persons, possibly to 
none besides the inventor; but the presence of nitro- 
glycerine therein, which has been charged with seeming 
fear thereof by some person, the inventor takes especial 
pains to deny explicitly; but the fact of its being a 
nitro-compound of similar nature, and belonging to the 
same class with nitro-glycerine, gun-cotton, etc., he is 
quite as careful not to mention. Now, in very many 
characteristics, Dittmar’s new powder is strikingly 
similar to gun-cotton. In fact, the advantages claimed 
for each, over black powder, are so nearly identical, 
that it is but reasonable to infer what is actually the 
case — that most of their disadvantages are also mutual. 
Let us briefly examine them; 
Both are products of the action of nitric and 
sulphuric acids upon cellulose. Both are soluble in a 
mixture of sulphuric ether (five parts) and alchohol (nne 
part weight). Neither have any plainly perceptible 
taste. The proportion of their weights to that of black 
powder is as one to three. Scarcely any residuum is 
left after the burning of either. The explosion of either 
produces scarcely any smoke. The recoil of the gun is 
very much less with either than with black powder. 
Neither is injured if wet and afterward dried, an ad- 
vantage more than counterbalanced by the fact that both 
absorb moisture very readily from the atmosphere; 
Dittmar’s powder, even more readily than gun-cotton, 
because of the presence ol starch and sugar in its com- 
position; and as the quantity absorbed is ever varying 
with the condition of the atmosphere, the effects of 
explosion must also vary. Both being loo.se in texture 
are exceedingly coD'pressible, and as the degree of the 
rapidity of explosion varies with the amount of com, 
prejsion, regularity of effect is practically impossible; 
and with excessive compression the force of a charge 
which might if distributed along a greater length of 
barrel be expended without damage may be so concen- 
trated as to be sufficient to hurst the gun. 
In the case of gun-cotton this property after much 
study has been partially done away jdlh by spinning 
the Colton into threads or making it into felt, and the 
rapidiiy of iu combustion is thereby so much retarded 
that very little danger need be apprehended from its use, 
although its explosive power is by no means rendered 
definite or uniform in degree. In the case of Dittmar’s 
powder numerous accidents (many of them undoubtedly 
due to this property) have taken place, and though 
several of them have been reported through the col- 
umns of the sporting press, few particulars have been 
given, and they have rarely been accompanied by the 
name of the writer after each instance of such unfavor 
able result reported. The manufacturers make a pre 
tence of explaining the causes which led to it, and the 
fault is shown invariably to lie not with the powder but 
with the parly using it, who has been unmindful of 
proper precaution. This they are the more readily ena- 
bled to do, from the fact that they manufacture two 
different kinds of powder, one for rifles and the other 
for shot-guns, so widely different in their peculiar prop- 
erties that if either is used where the other is required 
disastrous results may follow, which the manufacturers 
do not hold themselves accountable for. The two 
kinds, however, may be readily distinguished from 
each other by the printed labels pasted on their respect- 
ive cans. N. B. Never take them out of the cans, and you 
can moke no mistake. ^lany of the earlier reports, un- 
favorable we were told, were due to the fact that the 
powder was not rammed hard enough, and particular 
directions were given to "ram the charge a little more 
than you would for black powder,” but these orders 
have lately be n countermanded, and we are told that 
"care must be taken not to press the powder into too smaU 
a spars, as it is more elastic than the black.” Truly, 
“ consistency thou art a jewel.” 
If in reality the Dittmar powder is superior to black 
powder, why does not Mr. D. offer It for inspection and 
adoption to the Government? If it is there accepted 
and pronounced satisfactory he will then have no trou- 
ble in introducing it to sportsmen; but until some sure 
and practical means is discovered for regulating its ex- 
plosive power, and some more satisfactory voucher in 
proof of its safely than the mere pledges of the manu 
facturers, is produced, it will never come into exten- 
sive use. 
Herewith, as I promised in my last, I present you with 
the results of a couple of powder trials, held at Cam 
bridge. Mass., on the 18ih and 28th of May last, for the 
purpose of determining for the satisfaction of Mr. W 
R. Shaefer, one of our first-class .gunmakers, which kind 
he could rightly recommend to his customers as capable 
of giving the best results. That of May 18 was between 
the “Eureka” (best) brand. No. 3 grain of Ihe Warren 
Mills, and the ducking brand (common keg). No. 2 grain 
of Oriental Powder Company’s manufacture. Charge, 4j 
drachms powder. If ounces No. 8 shot. Guns, 10 
gauge Shaefer breech-loaders. Target, sheets of paste- 
board six inches square, placed singly in a rack behind 
each other, two inches apart; distance, 35 yards 
First gun, two shots each. Oriental perforated 11 
sheets each time; Warren powder, 10 sheets each lime. 
With second gun, heavier than first. Oriental perforated 
12 sheets; Warren, 11. 
On Ma 3 ' 28 went out again with all the different kinds 
of powder (best brands) we could conveniently pn cure, 
intending to give them all a thorough trial, but our 
pasteboard fell short, and we were compelled to stop 
before the trial vvas completed. As the left barrel ap 
peared to shoot stronger than the right, it was used with 
the last powders tried. Conditions, as to targets and 
distance, same as above, but the charge of powder was 
increased to 4^ drachms, and the shot lessened to IJ 
ounces, which will account for the increased penetration 
over former trial. The gun, a 10-lb. 10-gauge Shaefer 
B. L., was cleaned after each shot: 
Sheets. Sheet- 
Orlen'al “Fat on necking "...Right barrel, 
L/UjiOnt s ‘'Buck Eagle” ,.. " " 
Laflm .fc Kand i '■ Orange 
iiliig” 
Warren " Eur ka" 
Hazard '‘klecric” 
Star” ommoii Keg” 
American “ I'e'egraph . . 
Dittmar 8 “New” Fowd'-r 
The shells used were all loaded with equal measure 
by Mr. Shaefer’s son, who had no prejudice or partiality 
in the matter. And the uniformity of result proves be- 
yond question the superiority of the target employed 
over those constructed of paper (lads. 
■ igat- 
u 
Left barrel, 14 
11 
'• '• 12 
12 
" " 12 
12 
“ " 13 
12 
“ ” 1-2 
“ " 11 
“ “ 12 
“ “ 10 
Following are some extracts from a private letter from 
Franklin Rhodd, assistant topographer of the first divi- 
sion cf the United States Geological Survey, dated in 
Antelope Park, San Juan country: 
Leaving Del Norte, we began work in the mountains 
southwest of that town, and found a good deal of snow, 
but it was melting fast. There were bogs everywhere, 
and millions of mo.>-quitoe«. In this region are situated 
Summit Mining district. They are constructing a new 
road into these mines, which for fifteen miles is nowhere 
below 12,000 feet in elevation, and at one point crosses 
a mountain nearly 13,000 feet high. For the first week 
of our stay in this part of the country we were much 
troubled by the smoke from several great fore.st fires. 
One, in particular, was raging down in a deep caton. 
The smoke drifted clear across San Luis Valley to Foit 
Garland, over sixty miles, and even there was so thick 
as to be troublesome. As we moved along the smoke 
rose up out of the canon in awful volumes, almost dense 
enough to cut. Now and then a break in the clouds 
would give us a glimpse of the forest furnace, remind- 
ing us of that bourne to which all good topographers go, 
sooner or later. 'Since July 6 it has rained some every 
day, and every day we have climbed a peak, generally 
succeeding in doing some good work, and always get- 
ting soaked to the skin and ne irly frozen. During the 
storm we happened oi ce to camp near some wonderful 
natural monuments. Many of the columns rose to the 
height of 200 feet, and were capped by very large boul- 
ders ; Some rose from long walls which, in places, were 
600 feet high, and never to exceed forty or fifty feet in 
thickness. Game has been quite scarce, but one of our 
party succeeded in shooting a deer a few days ago, and 
yesterday AVilson killed a grizzly. Wilson and I had 
just made a station, on a high super-timber line plateau, 
and were returning to camp, when w» saw a bear loaf- 
ing along down a steep debris slope, far below us. AVil- 
son dismounted and killed him As we were short of 
meat, we cut off the hind quarters and tied one behind 
each of our saddles, whereat our mules evinced their 
disgust by “ lighting out ” and bucking in a way we 
despised. A quarter of a mile further on we encoun 
tered three more grizzlies, crossing the bare hill in front 
of us. They were trailing sometliiug, and as they dis 
appeared over the hill, a young elk trotted toward us. 
1 alighted from “ Bones,” and, giving Wilson the rope, 
took a shot, breaking the elk’s fore-shoulder apparently, 
as it limped away slowly. 1 prepared fur a second shot, 
when two of the three grizzlies reappeared over the hill, 
evidently in hot pursuit of the elk. Every few steps 
they would stop and rear up on their hind legs. They 
were so excited that ourselves and our mules had en. 
tirely escaped their notice. While we were securing th 
mules, which showed signs of stampeding, the grizzlies 
scampered off. We took a couple of long range shots, 
Imt the bears cleared out, and in the meantime the elk 
had escaped to the timber. We will soon cross the 
Range and go to the southern plains. 
Sezbide SnonriNa. — With the advent of AogtiBt uenally cotn- 
menccB the flight of willete, marlin, cnilew. yellow-legs and other 
waders. Many ttiouaands of thi ae birds are now d«ily shot along 
the Atlantic coast. Ev* ry morning, f tom my room in thet'arry 
House. I hear I he crack of Ihe eun, and some of the disciples t f 
Nimrod sojouriiing here have already had fair snccess. The most 
usual way « f shooting shoie birds is over decoys; and although it is 
not a scieniiflc method, yet it i- the only manner by wh ch a ” hag” 
can be obtained. Of late years the birds are so perslsientU pu'sued 
that th y have largely decreased in numbers, are wi.d'-r and difbcnlt 
to approach within gunshot. Even now, wi'h the aid of dec ys and 
a " blind ’ sii'-cessful shooting requires skill, experience, a cool 
hand, a steady eye, and a whistle that the bird cannot distin^uieh 
from the ntttural note. Although the p -sition in which the sports- 
man is necessarily placed is < ramped and u..comfortab e, and the n- 
teivals often long and tiresome, when the flight is r pid Ihe sp rt is 
very fascinating. Perhaps I do not exaggerate when I say that twenty 
years ago there were ten birds for every one now seen along tne 
Jersey I oast. The Increas ng demand for them in the New York 
and Philadelphia markets, and the remiineiaiive prices obtained, 
cause them o be e geily sought or by professional gunners who 
know their favori e tiaunts and who eh ot them at break of day. 
When therefore, the amateur sp it-man, after indulging 'it inoin- 
forte' le breakfast, desires to have a liile sport, hi- cha- ces for even 
a moderate bag are very slim. The Inrgi-st, haiid-omest and one of 
thr best eatingof all our shore birds is the Esquimaux r uriew. When 
seen among i s pigmy companions ii a size and erect form st once 
a tract the atteiitii n of the sportsman, and it flight is forever stop- 
ped. Thus, this nolile bird more rapidly decreases in numbers than 
any other spci ies of wad rs. On the Jersey coast i arrives early in 
May from the south, and during its sojourn here feeds on insect 
and shr ll-flsh. It is HsUhI y seen at low water on the muddy flats in 
company with other biids, and when the tide is high it roams ov-r 
the gra-sy marshes. It generally migrates farther north to breed in 
the latter part of June, and i- absent about six weeks. Whin the 
time arrives to take this flight they collect fr m a d stance of many 
miles into one vast flock, and forming a line a mile or 
nil re in ten th, the migrat on commen- ea, the bird uttering 
at the time a sbi ill and frequent whistle. I ha e gen> rally found birds 
mo-t numerous on Long Beach between the 20th of Augn-t and the 
lOih of September, althouih someilmes early in August good shoot- 
ing canbeobiaiued — Oermantown feUgraph, 
The Effects and Treatment of Poison prom the Colorado 
Potato Boo —Dr. John Pierson, writing on the p ta o bug, says 
the bug generates one of the most violent po sons in i atur.i. and in 
its action on the human system similar to that of the ratile-nakc. 
The poison resides in the fluid of the bug, and can be acquired by 
Innoculution tbiough cuts or bruises, or by inhalation of its fumes 
in the process of buiningor scalding, or from simply crush ng it. 
In all cases where the I ng is collected or cru.-hed by ha d the hands 
should be rubbed with moist earth, and afterward washed with 
strong soap and water, and in no case should the hand be uncovered, 
while picking, if cut or bruised. In a case of poisoning, determined 
by the symptoms, ae given above, the first step is to destiny the 
poison as far as we can. If communicated by a wound in the hand 
or other part, by first thoroughly cleansing, and followed by frequent 
applications I f weak oil. For internal treaimeht, as an ant dote, 
diluted vinegar, a teaspoonful every half hour, and ihe inha'ation 
of the fumes of hot vinegar. If a sudden or alarming prostration 
seis in. ammonia, or alcohol in some form, should be used. In all 
cases, as soon as possible, send for a physician, as he disease is 
liable to t-kea typhoid direction, if not iromediat. ly fatal. 
At Ilopkinton, Mass., a toy named Morris, sixteen years old. had 
canght a cat which he was going to shoot and taking the cat on one 
arm and a loaded gun in the o her hand, started to godo.in ihe stairs 
to shoot it. Just as he began descending the stairs a sister named 
Mary, fifteen years old, who did not want him to kill the cat Caught 
him by the shoiilcer and pulled him back. The gun dr ipped from 
his hand fa ling on the stairs and slid ng down them. On the th rd 
step the hammer caught and snapped on the cap. exploding the gun. 
The elder sister was struck in the face and instantly killed, her 'ea- 
tures being feai fully mangled. Another young sister was struck in 
the temple and also killed, while other shots took effect in the leg of 
the boy Morris, and the arm of a third sister. 
An Inoeniods Bird.— I n front of the window where I worked 
last summer was a Imtierunt tree. A humming-bird built her nest 
on a limb that grew near the w indow, and we had a chance to wa ch 
her closely, a- we could look right in o the nest from the window . 
One day there was a shower coming up. and we would see if she 
covered up her young during the torm; but when the first drops 
fell, she came und took in her bill one of three large leaves grow- 
ing close to the nest, and laid this leaf over i , and completely cov- 
ered the nest, then flew away. After the storm was over, the old 
bird came b.ck and unhooked the leaf, and the nest was peifectly 
dry. 
As A PROOF of the confidence of wild fowls, it may be well to note 
that a photographer at Alexandria Bay, on the St. Luwience river, 
this summer, photographed a ruffed grouse on h. r nest, plai ing the 
instrument wiihln a few feet of her. Af'er her eggs had been 
hatched some workmen proceeded to build a summer kitchen near 
the nest, but took great rare not to disturb her, and in course of 
time she became so tame that she declined to leave her nest. 
The Winchcrter (Ky.) Journal says: We saw in this town a nine 
pair of shoes, the vamps of which are made of rattlesnake hide and 
the quai ters of chicken-snake hide. Also several snake-hide- neatly 
tanne I, and three fv ei long and eight Inches wide. They belonged 
to J. II. Henderson, who 1 Ves on “ Big Coon." in J ckso ■ Comity, 
Ala. He makes a spi ci iity Ilf catching all kinds of snake-, raitle- 
fuakes In par icular; and without injuring or killing them, tak s off 
their hides. These he t-ns in about two month-, and i hen makes 
into shoes. He used a weed, which grows In the monntains, to 
“ mesmerize” the snakes. 
