112 
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
(1) That the ranges of the solid projectile only varied between 217*2 and > 
243*2, while those of the hollow projectiles varied from 92*6 to 231*1, and 
from 56*7 to 220*5. 
(2) That, omitting powder 1857 (No. 2), the ranges of the solid projectile 
were comprised between the limits of 233*0 and 243*2, while those of^the; 
hollow projectiles ranged from 127*3 to 231*1 and from 117*3 to 220*5. 
(3) That the powders classed themselves in the same order, nearly, with, 
both natures of mortars when hollow projectiles were employed (which may 
be considered as the order of degrees of quickness), but that the heavy 
projectiles afforded no such regular indication. 
“ The next experiment consisted in sifting some powder that had been very 
long in store, and separating it into five different parcels according to the size 
of the grains. 
- The results were :— 
Powder. 
No. of grains 
in 
1 gramme. 
Ranges. 
Powder. 
No. of grains 
in 
1 gramme. 
Ranges. 
Mortar 
eprouvette, 
solid 
projectile. 
18-pr. 
mortar, 
hollow 
projectile. 
Mortar 
eprouvette, 
solid 
projectile. 
18-pr. 
mortar, 
hollow 
projectile. 
34j00 
232*2 
180-0 
Second experiment. 
1350 
234)-2 
154-9 
1350 
232.0 
128-4 
505 
233-2 
97-1 
518 
242-2 
112-6 
270 
234)-0 
89-5 
303 
240-2 
81-1 
106 
232-0 
85-3 
131 
238-8 
78-5 
“ From this table it will be seen that the degree of c quickness 3 of the 
powder, as influenced by the size of the grain, is well shewn by the variation 
in the range of the hollow projectile, while no sensible difference is shewn by 
the solid projectile. 
“An examination has been made of powder manufactured by the dry process. 
It was supposed that, in order to provide against the requirements of a long 
siege, and avoid the danger of keeping large quantities of powder in store 
in a fortress, the ingredients only, might be stored and incorporated from 
time to time, by the dry process. 
“ Powder, so manufactured, though not giving evidence of any unusual 
properties when fired from the mortar eprouvette, was found exceedingly 
c quick ' by the hollow projectile and therefore proportionately destructive to 
cannod. 
“ When employed for cannon, it has been found by Navez's electro-ballistic 
apparatus that the ‘ quick 3 powder gave no greater initial velocities than 
e slow 3 powders. 
“ On the contrary, in some cases even lower velocities were obtained. With 
the musket and spherical ball, the initial velocities were found to be greater 
or less according as the ranges of the hollow shell increased or diminished. 
“ It has been known for some time past that the results obtained with the 
mortar eprouvette do not correspond with those of the cannon in testing the 
