cordite was 89 deg. F.
Difference in favour of axite 18 deg. F. = 20.2%

The lubricating action of axite is shown by the fact that a series of
cordite cartridges fired from a .303 rifle in the ordinary way, followed
by a second series, the barrel being lubricated between each shot by
firing an axite cartridge alternately with the cordite cartridge. The mean
velocity of the first series of cordite cartridges was 1,974 ft. per
second; the mean velocity of the second series was 2,071 ft. per second;
the increased velocity due to the lubricating effect of axite therefore
was 97 ft. per second. This powder, it is evident, has very many very
excellent qualities, and considerable advantages over cordite. It is
understood that axite is at present under the consideration of the British
Government for use as the Service powder.

~Ballistite.~--Nobel's powder, known as ballistite, originally consisted
of a camphorated blasting gelatine, and was made of 10 parts of camphor in
100 parts of nitro-glycerine, to which 200 parts of benzol were then
added, and 50 parts of nitro-cotton (soluble) were then steeped in this
mixture, which was then heated to evaporate off the benzol, and the
resulting compound afterwards passed between steam-heated rollers, and
formed into sheets, which were then finally cut up into small squares or
other shapes as convenient. The camphor contained in this substance was,
however, found to be a disadvantage, and its use discontinued. The
composition is now 50 per cent. of soluble nitro-cotton and 50 per cent.
of nitro-glycerine. As nitro-glycerine will not dissolve its own weight of
nitro-cotton (even the soluble variety), benzol is used as a solvent, but
is afterwards removed from the finished product, just as the acetone is
removed from cordite. About 1 per cent. of diphenylamine is added for the
purpose of increasing its stability.

The colour of ballistite is a darkish brown. It burns in layers when
ignited, and emits sparks. The size of the cubes into which it is cut is a
0.2-inch cube. Its density is 1.6. It is also, by means of a special
machine, prepared in the form of sheets, after being mixed in a wooden
trough fitted with double zinc plates, and subjected to the heating
process by means of hot-water pipes. It is passed between hot rollers, and
rolled into sheets, which are afterwards put through a cutting machine and
granulated. Sir A. Nobel's experiments[A] with this powder gave