Greek Fire of the Middle Ages. 29 
ledge of explosive compounds in the east. Even gunpowder 
is mentioned in the code of Hindoo laws; and that code is, by 
oriental antiquaries, supposed to reach back to the time of 
Moses. It may alsoxbe added, that there is a passage in 
Quintus Curtius, where a compound possessed of these qualities 
is mentioned, strongly confirming these testimonies. 
If this is thus far right, the claims of the early orientals to the 
Greek fire is established. The Greeks might have received it 
from the Arabians, or from a more direct source; but it seems 
likely that Western Europe, at least, is indebted to this people 
for its knowledge of pyrotechny. It will be useful to shew 
that this art is of more ancient date among us than is commonly 
imagined. 
I quote through Hallam. An Arabian writer in the Escurial 
Collection, about the year 1249, as translated by Casiri, has the 
following passage : “‘ Serpunt susurrantque scorpiones circum- 
ligati ac pulvere nitrato incensi, unde explosi fulgurant atque in- 
cendunt. Jam videre erat manganum excussum veluti nubem per 
aéra extendi, ac tonitrus instar horrendum edere fragorem, ignem- 
que undequaque vomens, omnia dirumpere, incendere, in cineres 
redigere.” This appears to be the description of a rocket, and 
does not much disagree with Joinville’s account of the Greek 
fire at Acre. 
We may puzzle ourselves, indeed, somewhat between a rocket 
and ashell, or carcass; yet this would make no difference as 
far as relates to the question of the Greek fire. The “ serpunt,” 
the “ susurrant,’’ and the “ circumligati,” apply best to the 
description of the former. But the use of the ‘“ manganum,” 
from which our early engine, the mangonel, derives its name, 
bespeaks a mechanical force which could not have been required 
for a rocket, and which is moreover not very easy of application. 
We might almost also conclude that this was a shell, from the 
effects: “omnia dirumpere, incendere, in cineres redigere,” 
applies rather to this machine than to a rocket, unless indeed 
these were contrived, like the Congreve rockets, to carry a shell 
with them. ‘There is exactly the same difficulty in Joinville’s 
account of his Greek fire, as will appear hereafter. 
