104 TIMEHRI. 
—_—— 
which several applications are found in the MSS. of the 
13th and 14th centuries. It is sufficient to replace each 
letter of these words by that which precedes it in the % 
alphabet. We thus find xknk is vini, qbsuf is parte be) 
tbmkt is salis, and the passage can be translated (some 
grammatical errors of the copyist being curreéted) thus :— 
‘‘ By mixing a pure and very strong wine with three parts 
‘* of salt and heating it in vessels provided for this pur- 
“‘ pose an inflammable water is obtained, which is con- — 
“sumed without burning the -substance (on — it is’ >a 
“ placed).” . 
It then treats of alcohol. This property of burning on 
the surface of a substance without burning it had greatly 
struck the first observers, 
Another more explicit indication is contained in the 
book “ On Fires” by MARCUS GRACUS, a latin work of 
Arabic and Greek origin, but of which the MSS. do not 
go back further than the 13th century. It is a compila- 
tion of technical receipts, for the most part relating to the 
Art of War. 
The receipt relating to “ Fire Water” must have been 
added as an after thought to the original text, for it 
forms no part of another MS. which exists at Munich, 
and is transcribed from the treatise on Fires. We re- 
produce this receipt on account of the new and char- 
acteristic indications contained in it. 
“ Preparation of Fire Water. Take a black thick 
“old wine. To every quarter of a pound add two 
“ scruples of sulphur in fine powder, one or two of tartar 
“ extraéted from good white wine, and two samples of 
“common salt in large pieces. Place the whole in a 
“ leaden alembic—put the cap on top, and you will distil 
