4th. With a glass rod put a couple of leaves of Dutch metal (copper imitating gold leaf) into a phial of chlorine gas, when they will flare up with a red light.
Gold leaf will make a red light. Two or three grains of phosphorus thus served will also take fire. A strip of cloth or soft paper, soaked in oil of turpentine, will be similarly ignited.
THE MINIATURE MOUNT VESUVIUS.
Fig. 116.
5th. Having some finely pulverised loaf-sugar and some chlorate of potash, also in powder, the same quantity in weight of each, they are well mixed together and placed in a crockery vessel, which will prevent injury to the table or stand. Having a glass rod for a wand, you have but to dip one end in sulphuric acid, and touch the compound with it, to produce a vivid flame.
6th. In a small retort put an ounce of a strong liquor of potash in water, and one drachm of phosphorus. Dip the mouth of the retort half an inch under water in a saucer. Gradually heat the liquid in the retort with a spirit-lamp until it boils. In a few minutes the retort will be filled with a white cloud, then the gas generated will begin to bubble at the end of the saucer; a minute more, each bubble, as it issues from the boiling fluid, will spontaneously take fire as it comes into the air, forming at the mouth a ring.
7th. Into the jar of chlorine gas pour finely powdered charcoal, when a display of great beauty will be made.
8th. A grain of potassium mixed with the same quantity of sodium is to have a drop of quicksilver added to it, when agitation of the three will cause them to ignite and burn brightly.
9th. Potassium and sulphur, heated together, will show a brilliant light. Or, holding some nitre on a metal plate, flowers of sulphur sprinkled on it will ignite. Be careful not to breathe the fumes of sulphur at any time. Iron filings thrown upon red-hot nitre will burn and explode.