LAB

LAB

sent his power does not extend beyondthe Kurtchis.

KUSII-BASCH, Ind. persons whoenjoy lands rent-free, upon condition ofserving government in a military capa-city. when called upon. The term alsosignifies people of middling circum-

stances, who do not cultivate their landsthemselves, but hire servants to do itwhile they hold other employments.

KUT'I’Y, hid. Closets.

KUVVAUS, hid. servants attendingon the King’s person.

KUZANA, Ind. a treasury.

L

T AAK, Ind. One hundred thousand.

LABARUM, a celebrated standardwhich was used among the Homan em-perors, and frequently means any im-perial or royal standard. The originalone, so called, consisted of a long lance,at the top of which was fixed a stickthat crossed it at right angles, and fromwhich hung a piece of rich scarlet cloth,that was sometimes ornamented withprecious stones. Until the days of Con­ stantine the Great , the figure of an eaglewas placed upon the top of the labarum;but that prince substituted in its rooma cross, with a cypher expressing thename of Jesus.

_ LABORATORY, (laboratoire, Fr.)signifies that place where all sorts offireworks are prepared, both for actualservice, and for pleasure, viz. quick-matches, fuses, portfires, grape-shot,case-shot, carcasses, hand-grenades, car-tridges, shells filled, and fuses fixed,wads, &c. &c.

Aigrettes. See Mortars.

Bails are of various sorts, shapes andforms; as

Chain-shot , are two shot linked toge-ther by a strong chain of 8 or 10 incheslong: they are more used on board menof war, than in the land service. Thefamous M. de Witt was the first inven-tor, about the year 1665.

Light-halls, of which there are seve-ral sorts: the best composition is mealedpowder 2, sulphur 1, rosin 1, turpentine2\, and saltpetre lj. Then take tow,and mix and dip it m this composition,till of a proper size, letting the lastcoat he of mealed powder. Or takethick strong paper, and make a shell the.size of the mortar you intend to throwit out of, and fill it with a compositionof an equal quantity of sulphur, pitch,

rosin and mealed powder; which beia"well mixed, and put in warm, will give aclear fire, and burn a considerable time.

Ihe composition for tilling balls tintare intended to set fire to magazines is,mealed powder 10, saltpetre % sulpbsr1, and rosin 1; or mealed powder 4,pounded glass 1, antimony |, camphire»» sal-ammoniac 1, common salt ormealed powder 48, saltpetre %% sulphur16, rosin 4, steel or iron filings % fatree saw-dust boiled in saltpetre ley %and birchvvood charcoal 1. With anyof these compositions fill the sack, andram it, if possible, as hard as a stone,putting in the opening a fuse, and about,the same an iron ring l-5th of the ball'sdiameter wide; and on the opposite end,another ring l-(ith of the ball’s diame-ter; then with a strong cord of l-4th ofan inch diameter, lace round the hoops,or rings, from one end of the ball to 1 theother, as often as is requisite; this iscalled the ribbed coat: then lace it againthe contrary way, which is called thecheck coat.

Between each square cord, iron bar-rels are driven in, !-3d of which arefilled with powder, and a bullet; at theend of each a small vent is made, thatthe composition may inflame the pon-der, and drive the balls out on evenside, which not only kill numbers opeople, hut prevent any one from e*tinguishing the fire-ball. When nni* 1 'ed, they must be dipped in melted pitchrosin, and turpentine oil; which composition fastens the whole togethei.Smoke-halls, are made and cojitrn e----- -... Winke, and there-

to <rive an uncommon

i seeing

what

by prevent the enemy from CJyou are about. They are prepared nsabove, only the composition must be 5

to'l of pitch, rosin, and saw-dust; the; mgr*