It is credible, that fixed Nitre will preserve Iron from Rust, seeing that it is equally contrary to Corrosives, with a simple Aqua-Calcis which performeth the same.
Point XXXI.
Bird-catchers, may by the help of this prepare such a Birdlime, as will not be altered by Cold or Heat.
If a Spirit be distill’d from Nitre, and Lapis Calaminaris dissolved in it, and the Spirit again drawn off, there will remain a thick and heavy Oyl, with which the Glue for Wood being throughly humected and dissolved, it becometh tenacious and viscous, which will not be dried by the heat of the Sun, but keepeth its unctuosity in all Seasons. N.B. That Spirit of Salt, or Vitriol, also performeth the same thing, if any Glue be dissolved therein.
Point XXXII.
Souldiers may by help of this prepare a fulminating powder from Gold, of which the magnitude of a Pea, put upon a red hot Iron Plate, will give a greater Clap, than half a pound, yea a whole pound of Gun-powder; the same may also be prepared without Gold, by the addition of Salt of Tartar and Sulphur, as it is described in the second part of Furnaces.
As for this point, it needeth no proof; for it is sufficiently known, that of ☉ dissolved in Spirit of Nitre (in which also was dissolved Sal Armoniack) and precipitated with Salt of Tartar (or Spirit of Urine, which is better) then edulcorated and dryed, such a powder will be made, which being put upon an Iron, Copper, or Silver Plate, and enkindled by a light heat, fulminateth more strongly than half a pound of common Gun-powder, concerning which, I have treated at large in other of my Writings.
Point XXXIII.
Engineers, and makers of Fire-works, may perform many wonderful things, by the help of this Subject.
That common Nitre is used in the making of Gun-powder, and other Fire-works, wants no Testimony, being a thing every where known.