Potash and Phosphorus 



highly inflammable. If it is heated ever so 

 little, or rubbed against anything hard, it 

 takes fire. Hence its use in the manufacture 

 of matches. 



Phosphorus is a horribly poisonous sub- 

 stance. By dissolving a small quantity of 

 phosphorus in grease, a poison is obtained, 

 which is used for killing rats and mice. 

 Some crusts of bread are spread with this 

 composition and put down in the places 

 frequented by these animals. Any of them 

 who taste it die at once. You will under- 

 stand that we have to be very careful with 

 matches on account of their poisonous pro- 

 perty, as their contact with food might entail 

 the most serious consequences. 



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