Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1846-12-02
From the Detroit Daily Advertiser.
Gun Cotton, Nitrate OF Lisnine, or
XYlNidiuR.

Mr.. Editor:-There being general inter
est, exhibited, in relation to this new prepara-
ton. and doubt existing in the minds of many
as to the correctness of the description OF the
properties of this so-much-tdlk- of-substance,
have been induced to have some prepared at my
Laboratory; and present to your readers the re-
suit.
Our first preparation, we were not successful
with: it being destitute of explosive properties,
though highly conbustibe: this unsatisfactory
result was owing, as we afterwards ascertaned,
to the insufficient concentration OF the Nitric
Acid. We next prepared an acid, with great
care. of the highest possible degree OF ooncen-
tration, though not perfectly dnhydrous, as some
accounts have declared necessary: for the stron-
gest Nitric Acid that can be made, contains
one equivalent of water, and its formui ia is N.
O-5, x II. o.
When raw cotton was Infused in this stron-
ger preparation, for the space of half a minute.
it assumed transparent appearance; and re-
sembled pure gelatine; but having been thor
oughlv washed in water, to remove the excess
of acid, it reassumed its original appearance
1t would appear that the acid enters into direct
combination with the cotton: forming q Nitrate
of Lignine, or Xyloidine. This preparation has
for some time been known to Chemists, as a
highly combustibe substance; and has been
used for finder; but in consequence of the acid
in its preparation, being less concentrated than
that necessary to communicate to it the explo-
sive property, its capacity Of assuming that
quality was unsupported. There can be no
Nitre in the preparation; for there is no pot
ash in the cotton, it's composition being C-l2,
HIS, O8. Even if there were, it would be re-
moved by the process of washing. The Nitric
Acid must be cold; for if hot, it would convert
the cotton into oxalc acid.
The "gun cotton having been prepared, we
were anxious to try its propulsive force. Ac-
cordingly, having procured a rife, in company
with two other gentlemen, we proceeded to
spot favorable for the experiment.. A mark was
first set up at the distance of200 feet, and the
rifle loaded with 10 grs. of the cotton, and a
ball weighing OF ID grs. The ball was pro-
PEELED with accuracy, and penetrated the fence.
The rifle was next charged with 20 grs. of cot
ton, when, upon being discharged, it recoiled
with some force; the ball was propelled with
accuracy, penetrated the fence, and came in
contact with pine post, inches thick, at II
feet distance from the fence, which it also per-
forated, and was lost: thus penetrating in
ches of thickness of pine wood. The mark was
next set up at $50 feet distance, and the rife
loaded with 20 grs. of cotton; the ball penetra l.
ted the fence, Zone inch thick) came in contact
with another, which ran at right angles to the
former, and penetrated it completely, although
1t had struck it a very acute angle, and conse-
quently perforated it very obliquely. Our cot
ton being consumed, we had to discontinue our
experiments.
EDMUND G.. DESNOYERS.