Portfire composition. Saltpetre, 60 parts; sulphur, 40 parts; mealed powder, 20 parts. Length of each, 16¹⁄₂ inches.
One will burn from 12 to 15 minutes.
Weight of one dozen, 3 lbs. 12 oz.
Portfires were made at Gibraltar in the following manner; two ounces of nitre was dissolved in a gallon of water, and sheets of soft brown paper dipped in the solution: these when dry were rolled up to about the size of common portfires. See English New Annual Register, 1807, for an article on wooden portfires.
PORT-FOLIO, in a general acceptation of the term amongst us, is a species of large leathern case, made like a pocket book, and calculated to carry papers of any size. Among the French it not only signifies the same thing, but likewise a box, made of pasteboard, in which are contained the several papers that relate to any particular department. The adjutants, quarter-masters, &c. belonging to the staff, should be provided with port folios for the purpose of keeping their reports, &c. in regular order.
PORT-GLAIVE, from the French porteur and glaive. One who carries the sword before a prince or magistrate.
PORT-HOLES, in a ship, are the embrasures or holes in the sides of a ship, through which the muzzels of cannon are run.
PORTIERES, Fr. Two pieces or folds of wood which are placed in the embrasure of a battery, and which close the instant the piece has been fired. They serve to cover the cannoneers from the aim of the enemy, and to resist the discharge of musquetry. They are, however, seldom or ever used except when the batteries stand close to the counterscarp.
PORTICO, (portique, Fr.) in architecture, a kind of ground gallery, or piazza, encompassed with arches supported by columns, without any immediate relation to doors or gates, where people walk under cover. The roof is commonly vaulted, sometimes flat. The ancients called it Lacunar.
PORTMANTEAU, (Valise, Fr.) a cloak bag to carry necessaries in a journey. It is sometimes made of leather.