eriodical publication _Arms and
Explosives;_ to various papers by Sir Frederick Abel, Bart., F.R.S., and
General Wardell, R.A., on Gun-Cotton; to "Modern Artillery," by Capt.
Lloyd, R.N., and A.G. Hadcock, R.A.; to the late Colonel Cundill's
"Dictionary of Explosives"; as well as to the works of Messrs Eissler,
Berthelot, and others.

The illustrations have been prepared chiefly from my own drawings. A few,
however, have been taken (by permission) from the pages of _Arms and
Explosives_, or from other sources which are acknowledged in the text.

P.G.S.

THE LABORATORY,

20 CULLUM STREET, E.C.

_May 1896._

PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.

In the preparation of the Second Edition of this work, I have chiefly made
use of the current technical journals, especially of the _Journal of the
Society of Chemical Industry_. The source of my information has in every
case been acknowledged.

I am also indebted to several manufacturers of explosives for information
respecting their special products--among others the New Explosives Company
Ltd.; Messrs Curtis's and Harvey Ltd.; The Schultze Gunpowder Company
Ltd.; and Mr W.D. Borland, F.I.C., of the E.C. Powder Company Ltd.

To my friend Mr A. Stanley Fox, F.C.S., of Faversham, my best thanks are
also due for his help in many departments, and his kindness in pointing
out several references.

The chapter on Smokeless Powders has been considerably enlarged and (as
far as possible) brought up to date; but it has not always been possible
to give the process of manufacture or even the composition, as these
details have not, in several cases, been made public.

P. GERALD SANFORD.

LONDON, _June 1906._

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.--INTRODUCTION.

The Nitro-Explosives--Substances that have been Nitrated--The Danger Area--
Systems of Professors Lodge, Zenger, and Melsens for the Protection of
Buildings from Lightning, &c.

CHAPTER II.--NITRO-GLYCERINE.

Properties of Nitro-Glycerine--Manufacture--Nitration--Separation--Washing
and Filtering--Drying, Storing, &c.--The Waste Acids--Their Treatment--
Nitric Acid Plants

CHAPTER III.--NITRO-CELLULOSE, &C.

Cellulose Properties--Discovery of Gun-Cotton--Properties of Gun-Cotton--
Varieties of Soluble and Insoluble Gun-Cottons--Manufacture of Gun-Cotton--
Dipping and Steeping--Whirling Out the Acid--Washing, Boiling, Pulping,
Compressing--The Waltham Abbey Process--Le Bouchet Process--Granulation of
Gun-Cott