The Scientific American for July 9,1864, contains the following: -

"On the 4th of June, 1864, Baron Von Lenk procured a patent, through the Scientific American Patent Agency, for the manufacture of gun cotton by his process in the United States. The assignees of the patent in this country arc Messrs. Rawson & Richmond, of Detroit, Mich., who announce their purpose to proceed at once to erect a large manufactory, and to embark in the production of the article. Their establishment will be under the charge of a practical and competent person sent over from Austria by General Von Lenk.

"Our readers will remember that the commission of Austrian chemists came to the conclusion that 'gun cotton is far superior to gunpowder for all explosive power; that its use is less dangerous; that for artillery and small-arms one pound of gun cotton will give greater result than three pounds of gunpowder, and for blasting and mining purposes one pound of the former is equal to six pounds of the latter; that damp does not affect it; that it is not liable to decomposition; that it will not explode short of 277° Fahr.; that there is no smoke; that there is no fouling or refuse matter that the recoil of the gun is but two-thirds of that from gunpowder; that lighter and shorter guns can be used; that the velocity of the projectile is greater and, more accurate; that the heating of the gun is much less; and that there is no dangcr in its manufacture.'

"The statement that the velocity imparted to the shot is greater, while the recoil of the gun is less, we should hardly believe except on further evidence than the report of one commission, however eminent

"In consequence of the general interest in this improvement, we publish the patent in full. It contains a complete description of the process in as few words as possible.