190 Natural Magic k. ‘BooJ^ iZ.

will presently blunt the Ax. all these they make the'Xuger, that by rubbingthey may resist the more , and do the busintss more firmly ; but the handle to re-ceive them, is to be made of soft Wood, as the Ivy, the wilde Vine, and the like, be-ing dried, and all moisture taken from them. The Olive is not fit, because it is fullof fat matter,and too much moysture. But those are worst of all to make Fires, thatgrow in shady places. Flint from him. One Wood is rub’d against another, and byrubbing takes Fire. some dry fuel, as Mufhroomes or Leaves,easily receiving the Firefrom them. But there is nothing better then the Ivy, that may be rubbed withthe Bay-Tree , or this with that. Also the wilde Vine is good , which is anotherkinde of wilde Vine, and runs upon Trees as the Ivy doth. But I do it more con-veniently thus:Rub one Bay-Tree against another,and rub lustily,for it will presentlyfmoak, adding a little Brimstone : put your fuel neerer, or dry matter made of dryToad-stools, or Leaves that are very fine, found about the Roots of Colts-foot; forthey will soon take fire, and retain it. I have done the fame with Ivy-wood cleansedfrom the Bark, and dried; and by rubbing one Reed against another; or, which isbetter, drawing a cord swiftly upon it. The West-Indians binde two dry sticks toge-ther , and they put a stick between them, which they turn about with their handsmoved from them, and so they kindle fire. But since the minde of Man seldom rests inthe thing once invented , but seeks for new Inventions, by mans industry there isfound out

A ft one that wiU raise Fire with any moyfture.

The way to make it is thus: Take quick Brimstone, Salt-Peter refined, of each a likeweight; Camphire the double weight to quick Lime ; and beat them all in a Mor-ter, till they be so fine that they will flie into the Air : binde them all fast together,wrapt in a Linen clou., and put them into an earthen pot; let it be well stopt : luteit well with clay and straw, and let it dry in the Sun : then put them into a PottersOven; and when the earthen Vessel is perfectly baked , they will grow together,and be bard as a Stone: take them out, and lay them up in a dry place for use. Iwent to try this ia haste, and my experience failed me. I know certainly, that someof my Friends have done it: but the pot must not have any vent, for it will all burnaway. Yec I have seen water cast upon quick Lime, and by putting Brimstone to it,it took Fire, and fired Gun-powder. This I can maintain.

Chap. II.

Of the C empofttionsfor Ftre y that our Ancestors used,

B Efore I come to out Compositions for Fire-works,I shall set down those that ourfore-Fathers used in Sea-fights, and in taking or defending of Cities. Ikucididesfaith, That those that besieged Platænenses, when Engines would do no good, theyfell to Fire-works: for casting about the Walls bundles of fluff, and throwing inFire, Brimstone and Pitch, they burnt the wall: whence arose such a flame,that untilthat time no man ever saw the like. Heron teacheth, That in burning of Walls,after you have made a holethorow, you must put wood of the Pine-Tree under, andanoynt them with dry pitch, and powdered Brimstone together, with Tar er Oyl,and set this on fire. And elsewhere he teacheth to burn with a pot: Tike an earthenPitcher, and binde it about with plates of Iron on the outside, and let it be full ofsmall coal: let there be a hole about the bottom to put in the Bellows: for when thecoals take fire,soy sprinkling on of vinegar, piss, or any other sharp matter, the Wallsare broken. Fegetiustettbttb what combustible matrer must be used : andheufethburning Oyl, Hards, Brimstone, Bitumen. Burning Arrows are shot in Cross-bow*into the Enemies Ships; and thtde, being fmeered over with Wax, Pitch and Rosin,they quickly fire the Decks, wiih so many things that afford fnell to the Fire, I(hall add

The Fire-Varts the Ancients used.

Ammianus Marcellinm described Fire-Darts,a kinde of Weapon made after such a fa-shion!