Dr. Gutbush on the Chinese Fire, fyc 127 



of the case, causes a reaction, that produces the recoil, and 

 consequent motion of the wheel. The ascension of a 

 rocket may be regarded as nothing more than its recoil, the 

 direction of which is given by the rocket stiufc, which serves 

 also as a balance. 



With regard to the approved formulae for the preparation 

 of Chinese fire, which are said to surpass even those of the 

 Chinese, the following are the most perfect: 



Composition of Chinese Fire for calibers under ten twelfths 

 of an inch* 



fMeal powder - - - 16 oz. 



Nitrate of potash - - - 16 do. 



Sulphur - , - - 4 do. 



Charcoal _ _ , . 4 do. 



Pulv. Cast iron - - - 14 do. 



Another of the same. 



Meal powder . _ _ 16 oz. 



Sulphur ----- 3 do. 



Charcoal ----- 3 do. 



Pulv. cast iron - ^ - 7 do. 



Another, for Palm trees and Cascades. 

 Nitrate of potash - - - 12 oz. 

 Meal powder - - - - 16 do. 

 Sulphur _ - - - 8 do. 



Charcoal ----- 4 do. 

 Pulv. Cast iron - - - 10 do. 



Another, white, for calibres of i\ and |f of an inch. 

 Nitrate of potash - - - 16 oz. 

 Sulphur - - -- - - 8 do. 



Meal powder - - - - 16 do. 



Pulv. Cast iron - - - - 12 do. 



'" The term calibre is here applied to the diameter ol the case, or tube, in 

 in which the composition is put. 



t By meal powder is understood the granulated gun powder pulverised. 

 The mealing of powder is sometimes done on a table with a roller, and thu 

 powder passed through a fine sieve ; or it is pot into a leather sack, and 

 beat with«ial]et«. 



