1.—The detonation of 1/4 ounce of gun-cotton (the smallest quantity that can be thus applied) induced the simultaneous detonation of nitro-glycerine, enclosed in a vessel of sheet tin, and placed at a distance of 1 inch from the gun-cotton.
2.—The detonation of 1/2 ounce of gun-cotton produces the same effect with an intervening space of 3 inches between the substances.
3.—The detonation of 2 ounces of nitro-glycerine in close contact with compressed gun-cotton failed to accomplish the detonation of the latter, which was simply dispersed in a fine state of division, in all the instances but one, in a large number of experiments.
Explosive agents are divided into explosive mixtures and compounds.
In the former the ingredients are mechanically mixed, and can be separated by mechanical means.
In the latter the ingredients are chemically combined, and can only be separated by chemical change.
Torpedo Explosive Agents.—The explosive agents that are practically the most important, as far as their employment as torpedo charges are concerned, are as follows:—
Explosive Mixtures.—A.—Explosive mixtures.
| 1.—Gunpowder. | Nitrate class | |
| 2.—Ammonium picrate, or picric powder. |
Explosive Compounds.—B.—Explosive compounds.