imitive meaning
being "hail." The whiteness and crystalline form of saltpetre presented
a sufficient analogy to attach to it a similar name, neology being in
those days not quite so common or so easy as at present.

Various salts were also included under the same name, their specific
differences not being then known. This fact had probably much influence
in retarding the pyrotechnic art, as accurate means of testing the
purity and chemical character of the salt were not distinctly
understood. A receipt successful in one case, because a proper salt was
used, failed in another, because the salt was totally unfit for
supporting combustion, though passing under the same name.

In these MSS. occur a vast number of receipts for pyrotechnic
compositions, of which we may here give one or two as specimens, and as
instances of the close approach made at that time to the composition of
gunpowder as manufactured at the present day:--

_Proportions of the Sun's Rays._

1st Composition.
Saltpetre, 10--Sulphur, 1-1/8--Charcoal, 2-1/4.

2nd Composition.
Saltpetre, 10--Sulphur, 1-7/8--Charcoal, 2.

_Proportions of the Garland of Golden Flowers._

Saltpetre, 10--Sulphur, 1--Steel filings, 1/2--Bronze filings, 1/2.

_Flashing Rocket._

Saltpetre, 10--Sulphur, 1-3/8--Charcoal, 2-1/8.

Each substance to be separately pounded; the charcoal and saltpetre are
then mixed, and gently pounded; moisten with spittle, and then add the
sulphur.

_White Rocket without sparks._

Saltpetre, 10--Sulphur, 1-1/4--Charcoal, 2-1/4.
To be mixed as before directed.

_Egyptian Moonshine._

Saltpetre, 10--Sulphur, 2-1/4--Charcoal, 1/4.
Add 4 parts of Lead or Black Ointment.

These instances will be sufficient to show the general character of the
Arabic receipts. Saltpetre is used in all of them--in most of them
sulphur or charcoal; while arsenic, incense, camphor, iron and bronze
filings, are occasionally used to vary the colour and character of the
light produced. The Arabs were also in possession at this period of a
vast number of instruments of war in which similar combustible matters
were employed, such as lances and clubs, with fires at the extremity,
girdles for the waist with fires attached. We translate the description
of one of them:--

_War Club._

"Get the glass-maker to make a club, which shall be pierced at its
extremity like an iron club. Get the turner to turn a stick, whic