Girandole chests of Serpents.
1. Girandole[15] Chests of Serpents.
The first combination which would naturally suggest itself to the uninformed is that of a number of Serpents so arranged as to take fire all at the same time, and in the end to burst and make a loud report.
This combination is a nest of Serpents; the case or box containing them must be made of strong paste-board, in dimensions equal to the number to be inserted. The piece which forms the top must be perforated in as many places, answering to the number of Serpents intended to be fired; they need not be far from each other. At the bottom of the box must be put a little mealed-powder for the mouths of the Serpents to rest upon, which latter must be rubbed with a little wet mealed-powder, in order that they may take fire immediately. To communicate fire to the powder at the bottom of the box, one of the Serpent cases must be filled with a slow composition, left open at the top, and inserted about the middle of the box: this case being lighted, it will burn for a short time, or till it reaches the bottom, when a sudden noise will be heard, and all the Serpents thrown in various directions into the air.
This mode of firing Serpents, though puerile in its contrivance, and simple in its production, generally affords much amusement to the spectators, which proceeds principally from the variety of directions given to the Serpents; which latter is a consequence of their being placed somewhat carelessly in the box, and being trajected at different angles from the same plane.