Saltpetre,2 lbs.
Sulphur,1
Meal-powder,½
Antimony,3/16

This is the general composition, however, for stars.

Sec. VIII. Of Rolled Stars.

It will be sufficient to remark, that rolled stars are formed of the same composition as the simple stars. The composition is mixed with gum and brandy, formed into a paste, spread upon a table, and cut, by a circular instrument, into pieces of the size of the Roman candle, of which we shall speak hereafter. They are primed with the best pistol powder, and dried in the shade. See [Roman Candle.]

Sec. IX. Of Cracking Stars.

Cracking stars are nothing more than small marrons. They are primed, and covered afterwards with star-paste, in the same manner as meteors. They are employed as furniture for serpents and stars. They are rolled in meal-powder, before they are used. They are the étoiles à pet of the French.

Sec. X. Of Sundry Compositions for Stars designed for Various Purposes.

We purpose, in this section, to present a connected view of the different star-compositions, by merely introducing the formulæ for their preparation. Their application will claim our attention hereafter, when we treat of rockets and other works.

Rocket Stars.

White.Meal-powder,4oz.
Saltpetre,12
Sulphur vivum,6
Oil of spike,2
Camphor,5
Blue stars.Meal-powder,8oz.
Saltpetre,4
Sulphur,2
Spirit of wine,2
Oil of spike,2
Variegated.Meal-powder,8drachms.
Saltpetre,4oz.
Sulphur vivum,2
Camphor,2
Brilliant.Saltpetre,
Sulphur,
Meal powder,¾
Worked up with spirit of wine only.
Common.Saltpetre,1lb.
Sulphur,¼
Antimony,oz.
Isinglass,½
Camphor,½
Spirit of wine,¾
Tailed.Meal-powder,3oz
Sulphur,2
Saltpetre,1
Charcoal, coarsely ground,¾
Drove. 1.Saltpetre,3lbs.
Sulphur,1
Brass filings, fine,¾
Antimony,3oz.
Or 2.Saltpetre,1lb.
Antimony,¼
Sulphur,½
Fixed pointed.Saltpetre,oz.
Sulphur,2
Antimony,1oz. 10 dr.
Fine colour.Sulphur,1oz.
Meal-powder,1
Saltpetre,1
Camphor,½
Spirits of Turpentine,½

Composition of stars of different colours.

1.Meal-powder,4oz.
Saltpetre,2
Sulphur,2
Steel-filings,
Camphor,½oz.
White amber,½
Corrosive sublimate,½
Antimony,½
2.Roche-petre,10oz.
Sulphur,¾
Charcoal,¾
Antimony,¾
Meal-powder,¾
Camphor,¾
Oil of Turpentine, sufficient to moisten them.

These compositions are made into stars, by being firstworked into a paste with brandy, in which has been dissolvedsome gum, usually gum arabic, or gum tragacanth. Afterbeing rolled in powder, a hole is made through the middle ofeach, and they are then strung on quick-match, leavingabout two inches between each.

3.Saltpetre,8oz.
Sulphur,2
Amber,1
Antimony,1
Meal-powder,3
4.Sulphur,oz.
Saltpetre,6
Frankincense,4
Mastich,4
Corrosive sublimate,4
Meal-powder,5
White and yellow amber, of each,1
Camphor,1
Antimony and orpiment, each,½
5.Saltpetre,1lb.
Sulphur,½
Meal-powder,½
Oil of petroleum, sufficient to moisten them.
6.Meal-powder,½lb.
Sulphur,4oz.
Saltpetre,4
7.Saltpetre,4oz.
Sulphur,2
Meal-powder,1

The composition of stars, which carry tails of sparks, isthe following:

1.Sulphur,6
Antimony,2oz.
Saltpetre,4oz
Rosin,4
2.Saltpetre, rosin, and charcoal, of each,2oz
Sulphur,1
Pitch,1

These compositions are sometimes melted in a pan, and,before they are made into stars, mixed with chopped cottonmatch. They may be worked in the usual manner.

The composition for stars, which yield some sparks, is thefollowing. To be made into stars, it must be wetted in gum-water,and spirits of wine, that the whole may have the consistenceof a thick fluid. One ounce of lint is put into thecomposition; where it remains, until it has taken up enoughto be rolled into stars.

1.Camphor,2oz.
Saltpetre,1
Meal-powder,1
2.Saltpetre,1oz.
Sal prunelle,½
Camphor,2

The composition for stars of a yellowish colour is to beincorporated, and made into stars after the common method.

Composition for Yellow Stars.

Gum arabic, finely pulverized,4oz.
Camphor, dissolved in brandy,2
Saltpetre,1lb.
Sulphur,½
Glass, in coarse powder,4oz.
White amber,
Orpiment,2

The composition for another kind of star, is the following:The ingredients to be well mixed, and then rolled into stars,proportionable to the rockets they are intended for.

Camphor, dissolved in spirit of wine by heat,1lb.
Gum arabic, dissolved in water,1
Saltpetre,1
Sulphur,6oz.
Meal-powder,5