and its deflagration is so immediate that it may be fired on ordinary gunpowder before the latter has time to catch fire too." "Perfect," answered the major.
"Only it will cost more." "What does that matter ?" said J.T.

Maston.
"Lastly, it communicates to projectiles a speed four times greater than that of gunpowder.

I may even add that if 8/10ths of its weight of nitrate of potash is added its expansive force is still greatly augmented." "Will that be necessary ?" asked the major.
"I do not think so," answered Barbicane.

"Thus instead of 1,600,000 lbs.
of powder, we shall only have 400,000 lbs.

of fulminating cotton, and as we can, without danger, compress 500 lbs.