Dr. Cutbush on the Greek Fire. 313 



tered into its composition; 6th. That as it regards sulphur, 

 that substance might have been employed, as oils will read- 

 ily unite with it, a fact well known in the proportion of the 

 balsam of sulphur of the old pharmacopeias; and 7th, and 

 lastly, that when gun powder became known, it superceded 

 the Greek fire, the true preparation of which was lost. It 

 is evident, nevertheless, that as we possess a more perfect 

 knowledge of the properties and effects of bodies than the 

 ancients, a composition might be made, or the present in- 

 cendiary fire works improved, so that water itself would 

 not extinguish flame, but on the contrary facilitate combus- 

 tion. For this purpose I submit the following hasty interog- 

 atories : 



What would be the effect of nitrate of potash, camphor, 

 and naptha, if mixed and inflamed, and then brought into 

 contact with water ? 



What would be the effect if a given quantity of gun pow- 

 der were added, the naptha being previously thickened 

 by the addition of turpentine, or in its place with tar, or 

 some rosin dissolved in the naptha ? 



If in lieu of nitre, chlorate or hyperoxymuriate of potash 

 be used, would not the effect be more powerful, and deto- 

 nation probably follow ? 



Suppose the ingredients of which gun powder is compo- 

 sed, viz. nitrate of potash, eharcoal, and sulphur be added 

 separately, in due proportions, to a compound of naptha 

 and camphor, with or without the addition of spirits of tur- 

 pentine ; would not such a mixture resist very powerfully 

 the action of water ? 



If to the above be added quicklime in- powder, would not 

 the quicklime when brought in contact with water increase 

 the combustion by becoming slacked, and consequently 

 evolve caloric, provided that no combination was previous- 

 ly formed with the oil and lime, forming a soap of lime ? 



What would be the effect, if with the substances before 

 mentioned (the composition being sufiiciently thick,) the 

 filings of iron, or in preference zinc were added, especially 

 if the matter in the state of combustion be brought in con- 

 tact with water ? 



Vol. VI.— No. 2. 40 



