|Blasting gelatine | | | |
| (8 per cent. gun-cotton)| 3,090 | 88 | 1,493 |
|Dynamite | | | |
| (25 per cent. silica)| 2,940 | 80 | 1,468 |
| | | | |
|Gun-cotton, 1 | 2,650 | ... | ... |
| | 2,060 | 90.5 | 1,450 |
| | | | |
|Ammonium nitrate | 1,130 | ... | ... |
|__________________________|_____________|_____________|_____________|

~Bellite~ is the patent of Mr Carl Lamm, Managing Director of the Rötebro
Explosive Company, of Stockholm, and is licensed for manufacture in
England. It consists of a mixture of nitrate of ammonia with di- or
tri-nitro-benzol, it has a specific gravity of 1.2 to 1.4 in its granulated
state, and 1 litre weighs 800 to 875 grms. Heated in an open vessel,
bellite loses its consistency at 90° C., but does not commence to separate
before a temperature of 200° C. is reached, when it evaporates without
exploding. If heated suddenly, it burns with a sooty flame, somewhat like
tar, but if the source of heat is removed, it will cease burning, and
assume a caramel-like structure. It absorbs very little moisture from the
air after it has been pressed, and if the operation has been performed
while the explosive is hot, the subsequent increase of weight is only 2
per cent. When subjected to the most powerful blow with a steel hammer
upon an iron plate, it neither explodes nor ignites. A rifle bullet fired
into it at 50 yards' distance will not explode it. Granulated bellite
explodes fully by the aid of fulminating mercury. Fifteen grms. of bellite
fired by means of fulminate, projected a shot from an ordinary mortar,
weighing 90 lbs., a distance of 75 yards, 15 grms. of gunpowder, under the
same conditions, throwing it only 12 yards. A weight of 7-1/2 lbs. falling