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Of the Substances used in the Formation of Fire-works, 48 Sec. i. Of Nitrate of Potassa, or Saltpetre, ib. ii. Of Nitrate of Soda, 73 iii. Of Chlorate of Potassa, 74 iv. Of Sulphur, 78 v. Of Phosphorus, 84 vi. Of Charcoal, 87 vii. Of Gunpowder, 97 viii. Of Lampblack, 144 ix. Of Soot, 145 x. Of Turpentine, Rosin, and Pitch, 146 xi. Of Common Coal, or Pitcoal, 149 xii. Of Naphtha, Petroleum, and Asphaltum, 153 xiii. Of Oil of Spike, 156 xiv. Of Amber, ib. xv. Of Camphor, 157 xvi. Of Gum Benzoin, and Benzoic Acid, 161 xvii. Of Storax Calamite, 162 xviii. Of Essential Oils, 163 xix. Of Mastich, ib. xx. Of Copal, 164 xxi. Of Myrrh, ib. xxii. Of Sugar, 165 xxiii. Of Sal Prunelle, 167 xxiv. Of Alcohol, 168 xxv. Of Fulminating Mercury, 171 xxvi. Of Fulminating Silver, 173 xxvii. Of Fulminating Gold, 175 xxviii. Of Fulminating Platinum, 176 xxix. Of Detonating Powder from Indigo, 177 xxx. Of the Fulminating Compound, called Iodide of Azote, ib. xxxi. Of Detonating Oil, or Chloride of Azote, 179 xxxii. Of Pyrophorus, 180 xxxiii. Of Sal Ammoniac, 184 xxxiv. Of Corrosive Sublimate, 186 xxxv. Of Orpiment, 187 xxxvi. Of Antimony, 188 xxxvii. Of Carbonate of Potassa, 189 xxxviii. Of Wood Ashes, 192 xxxix. Of Clay, 193 xl. Of Quicklime, 194 xli. Of Lapis Calaminaris, 195 xlii. Of Zinc, 196 xliii. Of Brass, 197 xliv. Of Bronze, 198 xlv. Of Mosaic Gold, 200 xlvi. Of Iron and Steel, 201 xlvii. Of Glass, 210 xlviii. Of Glue and Isinglass, 214 xlix. Of Wood, 216 l. Of Linseed Oil, 218 li. Of Gum Arabic and Gum Tragacanth, 219 lii. Of Cotton, ib. liii. Of Bone and Ivory, 220 liv. Of Galbanum, 221 lv. Of Tow and Hemp, 222 lvi. Of Blue Vitriol, ib. lvii. Of Nitrate of Copper, 223 lviii. Of Strontia, 224 lix. Of Boracic Acid, 226

Instruments, Tools, and Utensils, 228

Of the Laboratory, 228 Sec. i. Of Laboratory Tools and Utensils, ib. ii. Of Mandrils and Cylinders for forming Cartridges and Cases, 230 iii. Of Rammers, Charges, and Mallets, 231 iv. Of Utensils necessary for constructing Signal Rockets, 232 v. Of the rolling or plane Board, 233 vi. Of the Driver for Charging large Rockets, 233 vii. Of Mortars and Pestles, ib. viii. Of the Choaker or Strangler, ib. ix. Of the Table and Sack for mealing Gunpowder, 234 x. Of Sieves, ib. xi. Of the Paper Press, ib.

Preliminary operations in the preparation of fire-works, and observations on the preservation of Gunpowder, and sundry manipulations, 235 Sec. i. Of the Workshop, ib. ii. Of the Magazine, ib. iii. Of the Driving or Ramming of Sky-rockets, 236 iv. Of the Boring of Rockets, 238 v. Of the Preservation of Steel or Iron filings, 239 vi. Of the Making of Wheels and other Works incombustible, 240 vii. Of the Formation of Rocket and other Cases, 243 viii. Of Tourbillon cases, 245 ix. Of Balloon Cases, or Paper Shells, ib. x. Of Cases for Illumination Port-Fires, 246 xi. Of Cases and Moulds for Common Port-Fires, 247 xii. Of Pasteboard, and its Uses, 249 xiii. Of the Pulverization of Substances, 253 xiv. Of Mixtures, ib.

Fire-Works in General, 255

Observations on Fire-works, 255

Fire-works for Theatrical Purposes, 262 Sec. i. Of Puffs, or Bouff?es, ib. ii. Of Eruptions, 263 iii. Of the Flames, 264 iv. Of the Fire-rain, ib. v. Of other Compositions for Fire-rain in Chinese Fire, 265 vi. Of Thunderbolts, , ib. vii. Of Dragons and other Monsters, 266 viii. Of Lightning, 267 ix. Of the Artifice of Destruction, ib. x. Of the Spur-Fire, ib. xi. Of the Coloured Flame of Alcohol, 269 xii. Of Red Fire, 270

Of Portable Fire-works, 271 Sec. i. Of Exhibitions on Tables, ib. ii. Of Table Rockets, 272 iii. Of the Transparent Illuminated Table Star, 273 iv. Of Detonating Works, ib.

Of Scented Fire-works, 283 Sec. i. Of Pastilles, 286 ii. Of Vases of Scent, 288 iii. Remarks on Spontaneous Accension, ib. iv. Of Torches, and Odoriferous Flambeaux, 289 v. Remarks concerning Odoriferous and Fetid Fire, 290

Of Matches, Leaders, and Touch Paper, 292

Of the Furniture, or Decorations for Fire-works, 298 Sec. i. Of Serpents, ib. ii. Of Crackers, 300 iii. Of Single Reports, 301 iv. Of Serpent Stars, ib. v. Of Whirling Serpents, 302 vi. Of Chinese Flyers, 303 vii. Of Simple Stars, ib. viii. Of Rolled Stars, 304 ix. Of Cracking Stars, ib. x. Of Sundry Compositions for Stars, designed for Various Purposes, ib. xi. Of the Fire-rain, , 309 xii. Of Sparks, ib. xiii. Of Gold-rain, 310 xiv. Of Rains in General, for Sky-Rockets, &c. 311 xv. Of Rain-Falls and Stars, double and single, ib. xvi. Of substances which show in Sparks, 312 xvii. Of Italian Roses, or Fixed Stars, 313 xviii. Of Lances of Illumination, white, blue and yellow, 314 xix. Of Slow White-flame Lances, 315 xx. Of Lights, ib. xxi. Of Lances for Petards, 318 xxii. Of Lances for Service, ib. xxiii. Of Marrons, ib. xxiv. Of Shining Marrons, 320 xxv. Of Saucissons, 321 xxvi. Of Fire-Pumps, 322 xxvii. Of the Volcano of Lemery, 323 xxviii. Of the Blue and Green Match for Cyphers, Devices and Decorations, 324 xxix. Of the Purple or Violet Match, 325 xxx. Of Meteors, ib.

Of Rockets and their Appendages, 326 Sec. i. Of the Caliber and Proportion of Rockets, ib. ii. Of the Composition of Sky-Rockets, and Observations on its Preparation, and on other Subjects respecting rockets, 329 iii. Of the Heading of Rockets, 334 iv. Of the Decorations for Rockets, and the Manner of filling their Heads, 335 v. Of the Dimensions, and Poise of Rocket-Sticks, 336 vi. Of the Mode of Discharging Rockets, 337 vii. Of the Appendages, and Combinations of Rockets, 340 viii. Of Swarmers or Small Rockets, 343 ix. Of Scrolls for Sky-Rockets, and of Strung, Tailed, Drove, and Rolling Stars, 344 x. Of Line-Rockets and their Decorations, 345 xi. Of Signal Sky-Rockets, 347

Of Sundry Fire-works, denominated Air-works, 347 Sec. i. Of the Composition, and Mode of Forming large and small Gerbes, 348 ii. Of Paper Mortars, 349 iii. Of Mortars to throw Aigrettes, &c. 350 iv. Of Making Balloon Fuses, 357 v. Of the Mosaic and Common Tourbillon, 358 vi. Of Mortars for throwing Aigrettes, and the Manner of Loading and Firing them, 363 vii. Of Making, Loading, and Firing Pots des Brins, 364 viii. Remarks respecting Fire Pots, 365

Of Particular Compositions, 367 Sec. i. Of Fire-Jets, or Fire-Spouts, ib. ii. Of Priming and Whitening Cases, and Remarks concerning Spunk and Touch Paper, 370 iii. Of Chinese Fire, 371 iv. Of Bengal Lights, 377 v. Of Roman Candles, 380 vi. Of Mosaic Simples, 381 vii. Of Mosaic Tourbillons, 382 viii. Of Hydrogen Gas in Fire-works, 383

Of the Manner of fixing and arranging Fire-works in General for Exhibition, 387 Sec. i. Of the Composition of Wheel-Cases, Standing and Fixed, 388 ii. Of Single, Vertical, Horizontal, Spiral, and other Wheels, 391 iii. Of Revolving Suns, 395 iv. Of Fixed Suns, 397 v. Of Fixed Suns with Transparent Faces, 398 vi. Of the Rose-Piece and Sun, 399 vii. Of the Manner of changing a Horizontal to a Vertical Wheel, and representing a Sun in front, ib. viii. Of Caprices and Fire-Wands, 400 ix. Of Palm and other Trees, 401 x. Of the Pyramid of Flower Pots, 402 xi. Of the Dodecaedron, 403 xii. Of Cascades of Fire, 404 xiii. Of Chinese Fountains, and Parasols, 405 xiv. Of Wings, or Cross Fire, 406 xv. Of Galleries of Fire, and Batteries of Roman and Mosaic Candles, ib. xvi. Of Girandoles, and their Modifications, 407 xvii. Of Cracking Caprices, ib. xviii. Of the Projected Regulated Piece of Nine Mutations, 408 xix. Of the Pyric or Fire-Piece, 412 xx. Of Sundry Illuminated Figures, 413 xxi. Of the Spiral or Endless Screw, and Waved Fire, 418 xxii. Of the Decoration of Wheels, ib. xxiii. Of Globes, with their Various Decorations, 419 xxiv. Of the Representation of the Moon and Stars, 421 xxv. Of the Representation of Sundry Figures in Fire, 423 xxvi. Of the Representation of Flat Stars with a large Body of Fire, 424 xxvii. Of the Single, Double, and Triple Table Wheel, 425 xxviii. Of Decorations, Transparencies, and Illuminations, ib. xxix. Of Imitative Fire-works, 440

Of Aquatic Fire-works, 442 Sec. i. Of Water Rockets, 443 ii. Of Pipes of Communication, ib. iii. Of Horizontal Wheels for Water, 444 iv. Of Water Mines, ib. v. Of Fire Globes for the Water, 445 vi. Of Odoriferous Water Balloons, 446 vii. Of Water Balloons, 447 viii. Of Water Squibs, 448 ix. Of the Water Fire-Fountain, ib. x. Of Swans and Ducks, to discharge Rockets in Water, ib. xi. Of Discharging Rockets under Water, 449 xii. Of the Representation of Neptune in his Chariot, 450 xiii. Of the Representation of a Sea-Fight with small Ships, and the Preparation of a Fire-Ship, 451

Of the Arrangement of Fire-works for Exhibition, 452

Military Pyrotechny, 456

Observations in General, 456 Sec. i. Of Cartridges, 462 ii. Of Cannon Cartridges, 467

Of Matches, 471 Sec. i. Of Slow Match, ib. ii. Of Priming Tubes, 475 iii. Of Quick Matches, 477

Of Port-Fires, 479

Of Fuses for Shells, Howitzes, and Grenades, 481 Sec. i. Of the Method of Charging the Fuses of Bombs or Shells, 482 ii. Of Loading Shells, Howitzes, and Grenades, 484 iii. Of Fuses with Dead Light, 485 iv. Of the Dimensions of Fuses, and the Dimensions and Charge of Bombs, Howitzes, and Grenades, 487

Of Incendiary Fire-works, 490 Sec. i. Of Fire Stone, 491 ii. Of Incendiary Matches, 492 iii. Of Carcasses and Fire Balls, ib. iv. Of Incendiary Balls, or Fire Balls, to be thrown from Cannon or by Hand, 497 v. Of Smoke Balls, 499 vi. Of Stink Balls, ib. vii. Of Poisoned Balls, ib. viii. Of Red-hot Balls, 499 ix. Of Pitched Tourteaux and Fascines, 500 x. Of Torches, or Flambeaux, 501 xi. Of Powder Bags, 503 xii. Of the Powder Barrel, ib. xiii. Of the Burning, or Illuminating Barrel, ib. xiv. Of the Thundering Barrel, 504 xv. Of the Petard, 505 xvi. Of the Stink-Fire Lance, 506 xvii. Of the Combustible Substances used in, and the Manner of preparing, a Fire-Ship, 507 xviii. Of Infernal Machines, 512 xix. Of the Catamarin, 514 xx. Of the American Turtle, 515 xxi. Of the Torpedo, 521 xxii. Of the Marine Incendiary Kegs, 523 xxiii. Of Sea Lights, 525 xxiv. Of Signal and War-rockets, 526 xxv. Of Sky-Rockets, 538 xxvi. Of the Rocket Light-Ball, 539 xxvii. Of the Floating Rocket Carcass, ib. xxviii. Observations on Rockets, 540 xxix. Of the Succouring Rocket, 544 xxx. Of the Greek Fire, ib. xxxi. Of Mines and Mining, 550 xxxii. Of the Means of Increasing the Strength of Gunpowder for Mining, 554 xxxiii. Of Incendiary Bombs, 556 xxxiv. Of Murdering Marrons, 557 xxxv. Of Incendiary Rope, 558 xxxvi. Of Balloons of Grenades, of Bombs, and of Flints or Stone, 559 xxxvii. Of Spherical Case Shot, ib. xxxviii. Of the Fire-Rain, according to Casimir Siemienowicz, 560 xxxix. Of the Effect of Mirrors in inflaming Bodies at a Distance, 562 xl. Of Incendiary and Poisoned Arrows, 566 xli. Of Pyrotechnical Sponge, 570 xlii. Of Extinguishing Flame with Fired Gunpowder, 572 xliii. Of the Inflammable Dart, 574 xliv. Of the Firebrand, ib. xlv. Of the Fire Flask, 575 xlvi. Of the Trompe-Route, ib. xlvii. Of Fire-Pots for Ramparts, ib. xlviii. Of Inflammable Balls, 577 xlix. Of Pauly's Inflammable Powder, ib. l. Of Extemporaneous Fire, 578 li. Of the Indian White Fire, 580 lii. Of the Pyrophore of Defence, 581

INTRODUCTION.

In presenting this work to the public as a system of Pyrotechny, which, we have reason to believe, is the only full and connected system that has appeared, we may be permitted to remark, that, in our arrangement of the subject, we have appropriated separate heads for each article.

In this part we also comprehend the General Theory of Fire-works, which it may be proper to remark, we have drawn from the known effects of chemical action; so far, at least, as the laws, of affinity, which govern such action, are applicable to the subject. The importance of this inquiry, although having no relation to the mere manipulations of the artificer, can not be doubted; since a knowledge of chemistry has already improved the preparation of gunpowder, and its effects are now known to be owing to the formation of sundry elastic aeriform fluids. On this head, that of the application of chemistry to Pyrotechny, we claim so much originality, as, so far as we know, to have been the first, who applied the principles of chemistry.

It is not to be expected in every instance, that a rationale of the decomposition as it occurs, or the order in which it takes place, can be given with certainty; because, where a variety of substances enter into the same preparation, which is frequently the case, the affinities become complicated, and the laws of action for that reason indeterminate, and frequently anomalous. But, on the contrary, in a variety of primary operating causes, by which effects analogous in their nature result, decomposition of course being the same, the causes are well understood, and the effects are thereby known, and duly appreciated.

This, for instance, is the case with a mixture of nitrate of potassa, charcoal, and sulphur, in the proportion necessary to form gunpowder; for, it is known, that the explosive effects of powder are owing to the sudden production of a number of gases, which suffer dilatation by the immense quantity of caloric liberated at the moment of combustion. Although the production of caloric by the inflammation of gunpowder is a case, which cannot be explained by the present received theory of combustion, as we have noticed in that article; yet we know that it is a fact, and that caloric is generated by the decomposition of the powder.

We have then a primary cause of the decomposition, and most of the effective force of gunpowder is owing to the carbonic acid; and it is found, that gunpowder made without sulphur is equally powerful as that with, since it adds nothing to its power.

Causes, therefore, chemically speaking, operate alike under similar circumstances. The materials made use of being equally pure, and used in the same proportion, the effect must necessarily be the same.

As this subject, however interesting to the theoretical pyrotechnist, cannot be understood without a knowledge of chemistry, it is obvious, that that science is a powerful aid to pyrotechny. It is unnecessary to dwell on this head. We may add, nevertheless that, in order to understand the effect of all mixtures, or compositions made use of, it is necessary to consider the nature of the substances employed, and the manner in which chemical action takes place, and consequently the products, which determine in fact the characteristic property of each species of fire-work, and the phenomena on which it is predicated. All products of combustion depend on the substances thus decomposed, and by knowing the effects, we may readily refer them to their proper causes.

As the effect of caloric, according to their view, depends on motion, the agencies by which this is effected are of the first importance. That it exists in all bodies in a state of rest, and in a greater or smaller quantity, and consequently in a relative proportion, is well known, and on this, the capacities of bodies for caloric is founded. The capacities of bodies for heat are changed by various means, and caloric is put in motion; and, according to its quantity, the bodies may be either cold or hot. When the surrounding bodies become heated, they receive this caloric thus set free, and, in this view, the absolute quantity of their heat is increased. This state of rest, to which caloric is subject, may be destroyed either by an increase or a diminution of the capacity of a body. If caloric be put in motion by causes of any kind, which influence the capacities of different bodies, a theory maintained by Davy, then as the capacity for heat is changed so is free heat produced. Diminish the capacity of a body, its excess will of course be given out, and distribute itself among the surrounding bodies, which become heated; but increase the capacity, and a different effect ensues. The body absorbs caloric, by which its capacity is increased, and cold is produced. Caloric, whether considered a substance, or an attribute, possesses, nevertheless, this property, that when it is given out, as in the mixture of sulphuric acid and water, which occupies a less space than both in a separate state, the sensation of heat follows; and when it is absorbed, as in the various freezing mixtures, or in a mixture of snow and common salt, the sensation of cold is excited. The causes, however, which set caloric in motion, or that produce heat, are such as combustion, condensation, friction, chemical mixture, and the like. It is remarkable, that these effects are invariably the same, and are affected by corresponding affinities. When a piece of iron is struck with a hammer, the percussion produces a condensation of the iron, its specific gravity is increased, and the iron finally becomes ignited. The condensation of air, in the condensing syringe, will set fire to tinder. The flint and steel produce a condensation; for the metal, although small, is sent off in scintillations in the state of ignition. That caloric is contained in bodies in the state of absolute rest, and is evolved by condensation, there is no doubt. Gunpowder, by percussion, in contact with pulverized glass, is inflamed; and it appears very probable, that it also contains caloric in a state of rest. The experiments of Lavoisier and Laplace, on the quantity of caloric actually absorbed in nitric acid, and in a latent state, , are satisfactory. If caloric is not in that state in nitre, how are we to explain the sudden transmission or evolution of caloric in fired gunpowder, where no external agent in any manner can influence the formation, or disengagement of caloric? Friction or attrition produces heat; and the distributable excess of caloric, as it is called, although not satisfactorily accounted for, may arise from a condensation; which, however, is denied.

Friction is, therefore, one means of producing distributable heat, which is also exemplified very frequently in the axis of a carriage wheel; of mill work; in the rubbing of wood, when turned on its axis in a lathe, by which turners ornament their work with black rings; rubbing a cord very swiftly backwards and forwards against a post or tree, or letting it run over a boat, &c. as in the whale fishery; the motion of two iron plates against each other, pressing them at the same time, &c. The great object in the construction of machines is to avoid, or lessen the degree of friction. See Hatchette, Vince, and Gregory. Count Rumford , and professor Pictet have made some valuable experiments on heat evolved by friction.

The sun is one great source of caloric. In whatever mode it produces it, whether by giving it out from its own substance, by the action of light on the air that surrounds the globe; by the concentration of calorific rays by means of the atmosphere, acting as a lens; or by putting caloric in the distributable state, always pre-existing in some other, as in a state of rest, are questions, which, in our present state of knowledge, we are unable to solve. We know the fact, and that the caloric is of the same nature as that obtained by combustion.

Combustion is a process by which caloric is put in a distributable state. The opinion of Stahl and others, that all combustible bodies contained a certain principle called phlogiston, to which they owed their combustibility, and that combustion was nothing more than a separation of this principle, gave rise to the phlogistic or Stahlian theory, which was afterwards modified by Dr. Priestley. But his theory is equally untenable. Kirwan's opinion was no less vague, although he substituted hydrogen for phlogiston.

The Lavoiserian, or antiphlogistic theory overturned the Stahlian. According to this theory, a combustible in burning unites with oxygen, and heat and light are given out by the gas, and not from the combustible. According to a modified theory of the above, by Dr. Thomson, caloric is evolved by the gas, and light from the burning body. Without noticing the instances, in which this theory, as a general one, is insufficient to explain the cause of combustion, or of the production of heat and light, we will merely remark, that bodies which support combustion are called supporters, as oxygen gas, chlorine gas, &c. and those, that undergo this change, are named combustible bodies.

Whether we regard heat as latent, in the acceptation of the term, as applied or used by Dr. Black, or quiescent, or in a state of rest, it is certainly evident, that combustion is a chemical change, and by it caloric passes from a combined to an uncombined state, and is thus made sensible, free, or thermometrical heat. Combustion may, as it certainly does, put quiescent heat in a distributable state; but this quiescent heat is the same in the present case, of which there can be no doubt, as latent caloric. The thermometer will only indicate as much caloric in the air as is in a distributable, or free state; but, if the same air be employed to supply, or support combustion, the heat, rendered appreciable by the senses and the thermometer, will be in the ratio of the decomposition of the oxygen gas of the atmosphere, and, of course, to the development of free caloric.

Since heat is put in motion as a consequence of the increased capacity of a body, and, by combining with a substance whose capacity has been increased, becomes by degrees quiescent, according to the respective capacities of bodies; cold is an effect, which is occasioned by this change from a free to a combined or quiescent state. The absorption of heat, necessary for the generation of cold, if so we may consider it, takes place in every instance, where that effect is observed. The heat of surrounding bodies, in a distributable state, is now no longer characterised as such; and the consequence is, therefore, that that particular sensation, or effect follows.

The next subject with regard to heat, is the different modes in which it tends to a state of rest. There are some facts in relation to this subject worthy of notice; and particularly, that, in the tendency of caloric to become quiescent, after having been put in motion, bodies often increase in temperature. This tendency to a state of rest is effected either by the conducting power of bodies, or radiation. Heat radiates in all directions, and in quantities, according to the experiments of Leslie, more or less variable, which depend on the nature of the radiating surface. Hence that power, which bodies possess, called the radiating power, varies in different substances. Thus, the radiating power of lampblack is 100, while gold, silver, copper, and tin plate are 12, from which it appears that the metals distribute less heat by radiation. That caloric obeys the same laws as light, is obvious from Pictet's experiments with concave mirrors, where the calorific rays move in the same order, the angle of incidence being equal to the angle of reflection. It is also refracted; hence the concentration of the solar rays in a focus by the burning glass. Various experiments have been made with mirrors, and concave reflectors. The effect of the former in destroying the fleet before Syracuse, an experiment made by Archimedes, is a fact well authenticated in history. Concave reflectors have inflamed gunpowder. This subject, however, is noticed at large, when speaking of mirrors as an incendiary in war.

The most obvious effect of caloric on bodies, is the change, which they undergo when exposed to its action.

That it acts constantly in opposition to the attraction of cohesion or of aggregation, by which bodies pass from a solid to a fluid, and from a fluid to an aeriform state, and produces also different changes in bodies,--are facts that come under our daily observation.

It occasions changes in the bulk of bodies; hence solids, liquids, and gases are expanded. The expansion, and subsequent contraction of atmospheric air, give rise to various winds, which are currents of air rushing from one point of the compass to another to maintain an equilibrium. The theory of the winds is predicated on this fact, although some have asserted, that they depend greatly on the diurnal motion of the earth. The air thermometer of Sanctorius, and the differential thermometer of Leslie, are founded on this principle, of the expansion of air. Fluids expand until they arrive at the boiling point, as is the case with water, alcohol, &c. The expansion of mercury, in a glass tube, furnished with a graduated scale, forms the mercurial thermometer, by the rise and fall of which, the different variations of temperature are marked.

Notwithstanding caloric has the property of expanding bodies, there are some exceptions to this law, which may be proper to notice. Water, for instance, at the temperature below 40? contracts at every increment of temperature until it reaches 40?, which is its maximum of density. Above 40? it expands, until it arrives at the boiling point. Alumina, or pure argillaceous earth, also contracts by heat; hence it is used in the pyrometer of Wedgwood, to measure by its contraction intense degrees of heat. Various saline substances, in the act of crystallization, also expand. Several of the metals, when previously melted, on cooling exhibit the same character; and water, in the act of freezing, exerts a powerful force by its expansion, competent to the bursting of shells, and the splitting of rocks.

That chemical changes are produced by the agency of caloric, is a fact well known. It is supposed to occasion decompositions, according to the laws of affinity, by changing previous affinities, and causing new affinities to take place. Hence the operations by fire, whether the substances themselves are exposed in a dry state to the action of heat, or otherwise, produce new results, or compounds, which could not be made without it. This truth has long been obvious. In consequence of a knowledge of this fact, Dr. Black defined "chemistry to be the study of the effects of heat and mixture, with the view of discovering their general and subordinate laws, and of improving the useful arts."

Caloric as a powerful auxiliary, performing as it does an innumerable multitude of changes and effects, an agent by which the operations of the universe are maintained in order and harmony for universal good, exerts the same effect in the furnace of the chemist, as in the great laboratory of nature; and regulates, and determines all the consequences, which follow a succession of fixed, and appointed changes.

We have thus, in this brief and hasty outline of the nature, principal effects, and properties of caloric, detailed the leading facts on this subject; from which it will be seen, that caloric, so far as respects its generation by the combustion of different pyro-mixtures, and effects, generally, should form a part of Pyrotechny, and claim the attention of those, who are connected with the preparation of Fire-Works.

Respiration is also a process which puts quiescent heat in motion.

In the second part of the work, we embrace the furniture of a laboratory, for the use of fire-workers, consisting of various tools and utensils.

Under this head, we also embrace sundry manipulations, such as the preparation of substances for use, the manner of forming mixtures, and various anterior operations. The formation of pasteboard for cases, the mode of forming as well as charging cases, different modes of charging rockets, the dimensions of rammers, mallets &c. This preliminary ought to be well understood; as the successful practice of the art depends greatly on these operations. We may observe, however, that we have had occasion to repeat some of these manipulations in certain instances, to make them more intelligible; or rather to present, more in connection with the subject, a detail of minutiae.

In the different compositions, the reader will bear in mind, that the copious collection of formulae, both old and new, embraces all the facts, with which we are acquainted, concerning pyrotechnical preparations.

This is more particularly the case as it respects the fourth and last part, which appertains exclusively to Military Fire-Works. On this subject, permit me to remark, that fire-works, intended for the purposes of war, should be depended on; and for that reason, in order to produce a certain effect, the materials of which they are composed should be pure, weighed with accuracy in the proportions required, and carefully mixed according to the rules laid down. It is true, however, that while this nicety is required in particular cases, it is unnecessary in the formation of all fire-works. The composition for carcass and light-ball, for tourteaux, links, and fascines, and some others, do not require that precision; whereas the composition for fuses for bombs, howitzes, and grenades should be in every respect accurately made; for on the accuracy of the composition, must depend the time a fuse will burn, which is afterwards regulated by using more or less of the fuse, according to the time it will take for the shell to reach its destination, on which depends the skill of the bombardier. Accuracy, however, in making of preparations should be a general rule.

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