372 
MINUTES OE PROCEEDINGS OE 
If this analysis differs somewhat from the theoretical formula of the tri- 
nitro cellulose, the circumstance must be remembered that cotton is not 
pure cellulose, but that it consists of long extended vegetable cellules, in 
which there is always a little albuminous substance containing over 50 
per cent, carbon, and 7 per cent, hydrogen, the presence of which even in 
such quantities easily increases the per centage of carbon and hydrogen. 
The treatment with soluble glass has no influence on Baron Lenk's gun 
cotton, it being previously free from acids. 
[The experiments made in this country confirm the conclusions arrived at by the Reporters, that 
there is no ground for the great importance attached by General Lenk to the treatment of gun cotton 
with soluble glass, adopted by him]. 
Gun cotton is always put into comparison as an explosive compound with 
gunpowder; but it must be remembered that one of the component parts 
of gunpowder—charcoal—is most irregular in quality, especially where the 
primitive method of preparing it is followed. Still, in theoretical disquisi¬ 
tions upon gunpowder, charcoal is taken into account as pure carbon. 
Bunsen has so treated the charcoal in his experiments with Berne powder 
and Austrian army powder at the University Laboratory. 
Berne. Austrian. Powder. 
Carbon. 68-84 81-2 82-9 
Hydrogen . 3-67 2-8 2*99 
Oxygen . 27*49 13*6 12*1 
Ashes . —- 2*4 2 
It is, however, well known that the Austrian charcoal is manufactered at 
a higher temperature. 
The Trench chemist Yiolette, who effected the latest improvements of 
charcoal manufacture, proved a difference in charcoal of eight per cent, in 
hydrogen, and one per cent, ashes; and the comparative proportions of 
the charcoal of the same wood made at various temperatures varied from 
340° to 800° C. 
If it be considered that with us the manufacture of gunpowder as well 
as of charcoal is in the hands of ignorant workmen of the lowest class, who 
make at one operation and of the same wood charcoal at all sorts of 
temperatures, then the opponents of gun cotton, who imagine they have in 
powder the perfection of shooting material, are of all persons the least 
justified in the reproach that Baron Lenk's gun cotton is not uniform in 
its composition. 
This want of uniformity in the composition of powder-charcoal was the 
origin of the tests by the Berthier process for discovering, before mixing, 
the component parts of powder, especially the powder-charcoal, by means of 
the Berthier process or trial, for the purpose of ascertaining its coinbustive 
value. 
[What is here stated, with regard to tbe great want of uniformity of tbe wood-cbarcoal (and 
consequently of gunpowder), can scarcely be believed to be tbe real state of tbe case, even in Austria, 
where gunpowder of good character as regards uniformity, is produced; but it certainly does not apply 
at all to tbe wood-cbarcoal used for gunpowder in this country, which is prepared by experienced 
workmen under proper supervision, according to a well-regulated and thoroughly uniform system; 
and, which, consequently, presents in its composition a high degree of uniformity]. 
