sulphuric acid, and with nitric acid forms a nitro body of the formula
C_{18}H_{23}O_{16}3(NO_{2}), which is prepared as follows:--The gelatinous
oxy-cellulose is washed with strong nitric acid until free from water, and
is then diffused through a mixture of equal volumes of strong sulphuric
and nitric acids, in which it quickly dissolves. The solution, after
standing for about an hour, is poured in a fine stream into a large volume
of water, by which the "nitro" body is precipitated as a white flocculent
mass. The product, after drying at 110° C., was found upon analysis to
contain 6.48 per cent. nitrogen.

[Footnote A: "On the Oxidation of Cellulose," by C.F. Cross and E.J.
Bevan, _Jour. Chem. Soc._, 1883, p. 22.]

MISCELLANEOUS NITRO-EXPLOSIVES.

~Nitro-Starch.~--It is only recently that, by means of the process
introduced by the "Actiengesellschaft Dynamit Nobel," it has been possible
to make this explosive upon the manufacturing scale. Nitro-starch has been
known since 1883, when Braconnot discovered it, and called it xyloidine.
Its formula is C_{6}H_{8}O_{3}(NO_{3})_{2}, but Dr Otto Mühlhäusen has
lately succeeded in preparing higher nitrated compounds, viz.:--

(_a._) C_{6}H_{7-1/2}O_{2-1/2}(NO_{3})_{2-1/2}.

(_b._) C_{6}H_{7}O_{4}(NO_{3})_{3}.

Or doubling the molecule of starch:--

Nitrogen.
i. Tetra-nitro-starch C_{12}H_{16}O_{6}(ONO_{2})_{4} 11.11 per cent.