Dr, Cutbush on the Chinese Fire^ 4rc. 131 



Another /or the Same. 



Meal powder, - - - - 12 oz. 



Salt-petre, - - - - 16 do. 



Sulphur, - - - - - 10 do. 



Crude Antimony, - - - l do. 



We have thus introduced a variety of formulse for the pre- 

 paration of the so called^reje/5, in orde r to show that artificial 

 fire as it is termed, may be varied in its appearance not only 

 by changing the proportions of the same ingredients, but 

 by adding others, or abstracting one or more, according to 

 the rules of pyrotechny. 



In compound fire works, the forms which may be given 

 to the flame of gun powder, or to the substances which 

 compose it, either by increasing or retarding its combus- 

 tion, or by changing the appearance of the flame, (giving it 

 the form of jets, stars, rain &:c.) are so numerous, that a 

 knowledge of these changes and variations is considered 

 highly important to the practical pyrotechnist. Thus we 

 find in the composition of fire rain, that charcoal of the 

 oak and pit coal will give the appearance of rain. The 

 following is one of the formulas : 



Salt-petre, - - - . 8 oz. 



Sulphur, _ ... - 4 do. 



Meal powder, - - - 16 do. 



Charcoal of Oak, - - - 2i do. 



Pit coal, - - - - 21 do. 



These substances are mixed, and put into cases, which 

 are primed in the usual manner. The inflamed matter 

 will resemble rain in its fall. Another composition intend- 

 ed for the same purpose, is similar to the Chinese fire, and 

 contains a large proportion of the pulverised cast-iron. In 

 the spur fire, so called from its sparks resembling the round 

 of a spur, (used principally in theatres,) the particular ap- 

 pearance which characterizes it from other fires, is im- 

 parted to it simply by lamp black. The composition is 



Salt-petre, ... - 4| lbs. 



Sulphur, 2 do. 



T^amp black, - - - - l^ do. 



