122 Dr. Cutbush on the Chinese Fire, &e. 
et, both iron sand and iron filings are used in different 
paeportians: paste. 
fore we introduce the preparations for forming the dif- 
ferent kinds of fire, according to the present improved for- 
mulz, we purpose to notice the effect which such composi- 
tions possess, and at the same time the general rationale of 
their action. 
It is apparent by the substances that enter into the rocket 
compositions already given, that when the mixture is in-, 
med, carbonic acid, sulphurous, acid, and probably sul- 
phuric acid, &c. are generated, and the iron in the state of 
combustion is thrown out. That the brilliancy of the combus- 
tion, is owing to the presence of iron, which is in its crude state, 
and therefore not converted into soft or malleable iron, is evi- 
dent from the effect ; and this effect is obviously more per- 
fect than that which is imparted by malleable iron, or even 
by steel. The process of forming malleable iron, it must 
liant; hence it is used in some of the so called brilliant 
wrought iron, and hence also it is used for the same pur- 
pore. But fire workers give the preference to crude iron. 
be beauty and brilliancy of Chinese fire is, therefore, at- 
tributed to the peculiar state of the carbon and oxygen in 
the cast iron ; for wrought iron, having an inferior effect for 
that use, is deprived in a great measure of these substances, 
or, in other words, the iron is rendered more pure. Steel, 
however, being superior to malleable iron, must owe that 
superiority to another state of combination of the iron 
and carbon, and _in which the proportion of carbon is con- 
siderably less. We may thus account for the difference in 
appearance of the flame in Chinese fire, and the ordi- 
nary brilliant fire. 
e will not attempt to explain, or precisely account for 
the obvious. difference in the combustion, and consequently 
appearance of the flame, of crude iron, wrought iron, 
and steel in the respective compositions of Chinese fire, and 
illiant fire. Some facts, however, may lead us to a more 
perfect knowledge of the subject, by considering the na- 
