202 
MR. ABEL’S RESEARCHES ON GUN-COTTON. 
fully noted. The specimens were uniformly exposed to 100° C. for thirty hours (six 
hours daily for five consecutive days), unless, as was the case in a few instances, the gun- 
cotton had suffered complete change within a shorter period. 
Table III. 
Descrip- 
tion of 
gun-cotton 
Percentage of 
Period when nitrous 
experi 
ment. 
matter extract- 
ed by ether 
and alcohol. 
vapours were first ob- 
served after commence- 
ment of experiment. 
Other observations. 
41 
s 
/ 
1-80 
4 hours. 
The atmosphere in the flask was only faintly coloured during the whole term of theexj 
ment. At the conclusion the gun-cotton had darkened slightly in a few places, but hac 
altered in explosiveness or strength of fibre. 
42 
1 83 
1 hour. 
The atmosphere in the flask became only faintly coloured on the second day ; the gun-cc 
-g 
darkened and contracted, and its explosiveness was much reduced. 
43 
a, 
1-91 
45 minutes. 
The nitrous vapours were not considerable throughout the experiment, colour of the j 
O 
cotton not altered, but the fibre weakened and explosiveness reduced. 
44 
S3 
1-99 
2 h 30”. 
A faint coloration of the atmosphere in the flask was only observed on the first day. 
ASj 
colour and strength of fibre were not altered, but the explosiveness was greatly redui 
45 
200 
14 hours. 
Only very faint indications of nitrous acid at anv time. After 30 hours’ exposure the \ 
46 
§ J 
cotton had not suffered any change in colour, strength of fibre, or explosive qualities 
S3 'X 
2 00 
l h 30™. 
Towards the close of the second day, the atmosphere in the flask was only faintly color 
47 
^ *§ 
Colour and strength of fibre not altered, but explosiveness notably reduced. 
212 
14 hours. 
Only very faint indications of nitrous acid at any time. The gun-cotton sustained no chi 
£ ^ 
in colour, strength of fibre, or explosiveness. 
4 hours. 
Only faint indications of nitrous acid observed in either of these experiments. Neithi 
49 
the samples were altered in appearance or strength of fibre, but the explosiveness of 
g 
1 20”. | 
was diminished. 
o3 
45 minutes. 
45 minutes. 
Nitrous vapours were somewhat more abundantly evolved in experiment 50 than in 51, 
:V 
51 
2-30 
faint indications being obtained in the latter case. Neither sample was altered in col 
but the strength of fibre and explosiveness were reduced in both instances. 
52 
2-31 
1 hour. 
The indications of nitrous acid were very faint after the first day’s exposure. The gun- 
g 
ton was very slightly darkened in a few places, but strength of fibre and explosiveness i 
§ 
not affected. 
53 
O' 
26 
3 h 30”. 
Yei-y slight reduction in explosiveness at conclusion of experiment ; no change in appears 
54 
~ 1 
2-85 
45 minutes. 
Faint indication of nitrous acid throughout the experiment ; the gun-cotton was darke 
and its explosiveness somewhat reduced. 
55 
Sg 
30 
45 minutes. 
Faint indications of nitrous acid. Fibre not altered in colour or toughness, but explos 
g 
ness much reduced. 
56 
o 
3-41 
10 minutes. 
Nitrous acid evolved abundantly. The gun-cotton converted into a pulverulent, quite i 
m. 
plosive substance. 
57 
■g 
3-34 
17 hours. 
Very faint indications of nitrous acid. Strength of fibre not altered, but explosiveness n 
reduced. 
58 
3-68 
5 h 45”. 
Nitrous acid not considerable. Gun-cotton discoloured andfriable, explosiveness destro 
59 
40 
2 h 15™. 
Nitrous acid abundant. Fibre of gun-cotton and explosiveness destroyed. 
60 
41 
45 minutes. 
Nitrous acid not abundant. Gun-cotton darkened in parts ; strength of fibre and explos 
ness slightly reduced. 
61 
§ 
4-15 
5 hours. 
Nitrous acid not abundant. Gun-cotton not darkened, but fibre rotten, and explosive 
s 
very greatly reduced. 
62 
g 
4-24 
5 hours. 
Nitrous acid considerable. Gum -like mass produced. 
63 
4-3 
1 0 minutes. 
Nitrous acid very abundant. Gun-cotton converted into friable non-explosive materia. 
64 
© 
51 
5 h 45”. 
Nitrous acid very abundant. Gum -like mass produced. 
65 
1 
8-5 
15 hours. 
Very faint indications of nitrous acid. Gun-cotton slightly discoloured ; strength of i 
66 
J 
o 
° 
11-78 
15 hours. 
and explosiveness very slightly reduced. 
Faint indication of nitrous acid. Gun-cotton darkened ; strength of fibre slightly diminis] 
and explosiveness much reduced. 
67 
Coarseyar 
n, 
302 
1& 15”. 
Nitrous acid considerable on the second day, diminished afterwards. Gun-cotton darke 
68 
Austria. 
in some parts ; strength of fibre and explosiveness much reduced. 
Fine yarn, 
3-66 
30 minutes. 
Nitrous vapours considerable, disappeared entirely towards close of experiment. . Strer 
Austria. 
of fibre and explosiveness very greatly reduced. 
69 
Fine yarn, 
4-50 
3» 30”. r 
Austria. 
Faint indications of nitrous acid. Strength of fibre and explosiveness scarcely affectei 
70 
Fine yarn. 
5-02 
1 hour. 
either instance. 
Austria. 
1 
71 
Coarseyarn, 
7-44 
15 minutes (total ex- 
Nitrous vapours very abundant. Gum-like mass produced, with a charred appearanc 
Austria. 
posure 1 2 hours). 
some parts. 
72 
Coarseyarn, 
86 
1 0 minutes (total ex- ) 
Austria. 
posure 12 hours). 1 
73 
Coarseyarn, 
14-2 
10 minutes (total ex- 1 
Nitrous vapours very abundant. Gun-cotton quite pulverulent and passing into gum- 
Austria. 
posure 12 hours.) f 
mass. 
74 i 
Coarseyarn, 
14-1 
1 2 minutes (total ex- 
Austria. 
posure 15 hours). ) 
75 : 
Fine yarn, 
15 ! 
8 minutes. 
Nitrous acid vapours considerable ; strength of fibre and explosiveness considerably di 
Austria. 
nished. 
76 i 
Doarseyar 
n, 
70 (about) i 
30 minutes. 
Nitrous acid only faint after the second day. Fibre and explosiveness destroyed. 
Austria. 
