Book XII, chapters 1–6: Artificial fires

THE TWELFTH BOOK OF Natural Magick: Of Artificial Fires.

THE PROEME.

BEfore I leave off to write of Fire, I shall treat of that dangerous Fire that works wonderful things, which the vulgar call Artificial Fire, which the Commanders of Armies and Generals, use lamentably in divers Artifices and monstrous Designs, to break open Walls and Cities, and totally to subvert them; and in Sea-fights, to the infinite ruine of m[…]rtal men; and whereby they oft-times frustrate the malicious enterprizes of their Enemies. The matter is very useful and wonderful, and there is nothing in the world that more frights and terrifies the mindes of men. God is coming to judge the world by Fire. I shall describe the mighty hot Fires of our Ancestors, which they used to besiege places with; and I shall add those that are of later Invention, that far exceed them: and lastly, I shall speak of those of our days. You have here the Compositions of terrible Gun-powder that makes a noise, and then of that which makes no noise: of Pipes that vomit forth deadly Fires, and of Fires that cannot be quenched, and that will rage under Water at the very bottom of it, Whereby the Seas rend asunder; as if they were undermined by the great violence of the flames striving against them, and are lifted up into the Air, that Ships are drawn by the monstrous Gulphs. Of Fire[…]Balls that flie with glittering Fire, and terrifie Troops of Horse-men, and overthrow them. So that we are come almost to eternal Fires.

CHAP. I.

How divers ways to procure Fire may be prepared.

VItruvius saith, That it fell out by accident, that sundry Trees, frequently moved with Windes and Tempests, the Bows of them rubbing one against another, and the parts smiting each other, and so being ratified, caused heat, and took fire, and flamed exceedingly. Wilde people that saw this, ran away. When the Fire was out, and they durst come neerer, and found it to be a great commodity for the Body of man, they preserved the Fire; and so they perceived that it afforded causes of civility, of conversing and talking together. Pliny saith, It was found out by Souldiers and Shepherds. In the Camp, those that keep watch, found this out for necessity; and so did Shepherds, because there is not always a Flint ready. Theophrastus teacheth what kindes of Wood are good for this purpose: and though the Anger and the handle are sometimes both made of one sort of Wood, yet it is so that one part acts and the other suffers; so that he thinks the one part should be of hard Wood, and the other of soft. Example:

Wood that by rubbing together will take Fire.

They are such as are very hot, as the Bay-Tree, the Buck-thorn, the Holm, the Piel-Tree: But M[…]estor adds the Mulberry-Tree; and men conjecture so, because they will presently blunt the Ax. O[…] all these they make the Auger, that by rubbing they may resist the more, and do the business more firmly; but the handle to receive them, is to be made of soft Wood, as the Ivy, the wilde Vine, and the like, being dried, and all moisture taken from them. The Olive is not fit, because it is full of fat matter, and too much moysture. But those are worst of all to make Fires, that grow in shady places. Pliny from him. One Wood is rub'd against another, and by rubbing takes Fire; some dry fuel, as Mushroomes or Leaves, easily receiving the Fire from them. But there is nothing better then the Ivy, that may be rubbed with the Bay-Tree, or this with that. Also the wilde Vine is good, which is another kinde of wilde Vine, and runs upon Trees as the Ivy doth. But I do it more conveniently thus: Rub one Bay-Tree against another, and rub lustily, for it will presently smoak, adding a little Brimstone: put your fuel neerer, or dry matter made of dry Toad-stools, or Leaves that are very fine, found about the Roots of Colts-foot; for they will soon take fire, and retain it. I have done the same with Ivy-wood cleansed from the Bark, and dried; and by rubbing one Reed against another; or, which is better, drawing a cord swiftly upon it. The West-Indians binde two dry sticks together, and they put a stick between them, which they turn about with their hands moved from them, and so they kindle fire. But since the minde of Man seldom rests in the thing once invented, but seeks for new Inventions, by mans industry there is found out

A stone that will raise Fire with any moysture.

The way to make it is thus: Take quick Brimstone, Salt-Peter refined, of each a like weight; Camphire the double weight to quick Lime; and beat them all in a Morter, till they be so fine that they will flie into the Air: binde them all fast together, wrapt in a Linen-clout, and put them into an earthen pot; let it be well stopt: lute it well with clay and straw, and let it dry in the Sun: then put them into a Potters Oven; and when the earthen Vessel is perfectly baked, they will grow together, and be hard as a Stone: take them out, and lay them up in a dry place for use. I went to try this in haste, and my experience failed me. I know certainly, that some of my Friends have done it: but the pot must not have any vent, for it will all burn away. Yet I have seen water cast upon quick Lime, and by putting Brimstone to it, it took Fire, and fired Gun-powder. This I can maintain.

CHAP. II.

Of the Compositions for Fire, that our Ancestors used.

BEfore I come to our Compositions for Fire-works, I shall set down those that our fore-Fathers used in Sea-fights, and in taking or defending of Cities. Thucidides saith, That those that besieged Plataenenses, when Engines would do no good, they fell to Fire-works: for casting about the Walls bundles of stuff, and throwing in Fire, Brimstone and Pitch, they burnt the wall: whence arose such a flame, that until that time no man ever saw the like. Heron teacheth, That in burning of Walls, after you have made a hole thorow, you must put wood of the Pine-Tree under, and anoynt them with dry pitch, and powdered Brimstone together, with Tar or Oyl, and set this on fire. And elsewhere he teacheth to burn with a pot: Take an earthen Pitcher, and binde it about with plates of Iron on the outside, and let it be full of small coal: let there be a hole about the bottom to put in the Bellows: for when the coals take fire, by sprinkling on of vinegar, piss, or any other sharp matter, the Walls are broken. Vegetius teacheth what combustible matter must be used: and he useth burning Oyl, Hards, Brimstone, Bitumen. Burning Arrows are shot in Cross-bows into the Enemies Ships; and these, being smeered over with Wax, Pitch and Rosin, they quickly fire the Decks, with so many things that afford fuell to the Fire. I shall add

The Fire-Darts the Ancients used.

A[…]ianus Marcellinus described Fire-Darts, a kinde of Weapon made after such a fashion: It is an Arrow of Cane, joyned with many Irons between the Shaft and the Head, and they are made hollow after the fashion of a womans Distaff, wherewith Linen-threed is spun; in the midst of it, it hath many small holes, and in the very hollow of it, is put fire with some combustible matter, and so is it easily shot forth of a weak Bow: for a Bow that is strong, puts out the Fire; and there is no means to put it out, but by casting on Dust or Lees of Oyl. Livy. Some came with burning Torches, others carrying Tow, Pitch, and Fire-Darts; and the whole Army shined as if it were all in flames: but in the concave part of this Dart there was Glue and Fuel, for Fire not to be extinguished, of Colophonia, Brimstone, Salt-Peter, all mingled with Oyl of Bays. Others say, with Oyl of Peter, Ducks-grease, the Pith of the Reed of Ferula, Brimstone; and, as others think, with Oyl, Tallow, Colophonia, Camphire, Rosin, Tow. The old Warriors called this an incendiary composition. Lucan speaks of burning of Ships:

This plague to water is not consonant,
For burning Torches, Oyl and Brimstone joyn'd,
Are cast abroad, and fuel was not scant:
The Ships do burn with Pitch or Wax combin'd.

And elsewhere,

He bids them shoot their Shafts into the Sails,
Besmeer'd with Pitch, and so he soon prevails:
The Fire straight doth burn what's made of Flax,
And so their Decks were fir'd by melting Wax;
And tops of Masts were bur[…], and Sea-mens packs.

But in compositions for Arrows and Darts, that they might burn the more vehemently, they put melted Vernish, Printers Oyl, Petroleum, Turpentine, made up with the sharpest Vinegar, pressed close, and dried at the Sun, and wrap'd over with Tow, and with sharp Irons to defend it, wrought together like to a bottom of yarn: all which at last, only passing over one hole, are smeered over with Colophonia and Brimstone, after the manner that follows. But by the subtilty of the Greeks, there was invented

A Fire, called the Greek Fire.

To overcome the Ship presently, they boyl'd Willow-coals, Salt, Spirit of VVine, Brimstone, Pitch, with the yarn of the soft VVooll of Ethiopia, and Camphire; which, it is wonderful to speak, will burn alone in the water, consuming all matter. Callimachus the Architect, flying from Heliopolis, taught the Romans that thing first, and many of their Emperors did use that against their Enemies afterwards. Leo the Emperor, burnt with this kinde of Fire those of the East, that sail'd against Constantinople with 1800 Carvels. The same Emperor, shortly after, burnt with the same Fire 4000 Ships of the Enemy, and 350 in like manner. Prometheus found out, that Fire would keep a yeer in the Cane Ferula: wherefore Martial speaks of them thus:

Canes that the Masters love, but Boys do hate,
Are by Pr[…]metheus gift held at great rate.

CHAP. III.

Of the divers Compositions of Gun-powder.

WE should be ill spoken of, if, that treating of fiery Compositions, we should not first say something of that wonderful Gun-powder, that is the Author of so many wonderful things; for it is an ingredient in all mixtures, and all depends upon it: not that I have any minde to speak of it, because it is so common; but of such things that have some new or hidden secret in them. It is made of four parts of Salt-Peter, Brimstone and VVillow-coals, of each one part. But the Salt-Peter must be refined from common Salt, the fat and earthly parts: for that is the Foundation and Basis of the rest. All of these must be well powdered and finely seirced, and perfectly mingled together. Therefore if you would have

Gun-powder that shall make a great noise, and do much service,

Put in more parts of Salt-Peter; namely, to one part of Brimstone, and one of Willow-coal, put in six or eight parts of Salt-Peter, but excellent well refined and mingled. For four parts of Salt-Peter well refined and mingled, will do more then ten parts of that which is faeculent, and ill mingled. From the Salt-Peter comes the force, the noise of the flame; for Brimstone it takes fire, and the sooner for the coal. But if one would have

Gun-powder that will shoot a Bullet without noise,

he must make weak the Salt-Peter, but with some fat substance; which is done by the Glew and Butter of Gold, by mingling them according to a certain and due proportion; and so it will shoot a Ball with very little or no noise; for you shall scarce hear it: and though the force be not so strong, yet it is but little less. I will not teach the way, lest wicked men should take occasion to do mischief by it.

CHAP. IV.

How Pipes may be made to cast out Fire.

THe same Heron bids the Souldiers when they scale the VValls, that they should set against the faces of their enemies that defend the Cities, such hand-Guns that they can turn, and that will throw fire a great way: for so they shall so terrifie those that defend the VValls, by these monstrous Engines that cast Fire-Balls at such great distance, and with such furious flames, that they will never endure to behold them, nor yet the Souldiers that mount up the VValls; but will quickly run away. Moreover, in fights at Sea, and amongst Horse-men, men of this later age make great use of them: for Horses are terrified with Fire, as Elephants were; and will easily run away, and break the ranks. VVhen Antipater besieged the Megarenses, and the Macedonians did fiercely lie upon them, the Megarenses first anoynted their Hogs with pitch, and set them on Fire, and so sent them out amongst their Enemies. The Hogs were mad at it, and ran furiously among the Troops of Elephants, and cried as they burned with the Fire; and, as so many Furies, they extreamly disordered the Elephants. But I shall describe

Rockets that cast Fire a great way.

Make a stick of three foot long, round on the outside, and with a Turners Instrument make it hollow within: let the hole in the middle be four fingers diameter, and the VVood a finger thick; but within let it be fenced with a thin Iron plate, and without with Iron hoops, at the mouth, in the middle, and on the end; and let the Spaces between be fastned and joyned together with Iron-wires, lest by the violence of the flames, striving within, the Engine should break in pieces, and hurt our Friends. Fill the hollow hole with this composition: Gun-powder three parts, Colophonia, Tutia, Brimstone, half a part: but you must bruise your Brimstone and Colophonia very well, and sprinkle them with Linseed Oyl, and work them in your hands. Then try if your mixture will burn gently or fiercely: fill the space between the joynts in a Reed with powder; put Fire to it: if it burn vehemently, that it break the Cane, add to it Colophonia and Brimstone; but if mildly, then put more Powder into your Rocket, pressing it again with a sharp stick: then stop the mouth of it, being full, with a Linen-clout, wax and pitch, and cover it, that the Powder fall not out: and making a hole in the clout, fasten a Cotton-match to the mixture, that when necessity is, it may take fire. You shall learn shortly after to make the Match. This is called a simple Rocket.

How to make a Rocket armed.

This by a continual sending forth of Fire-balls and Leaden Bullets, and by the shooting off of Iron-guns, will strike thorow the faces of those that stand by. It is made of Turpentine-Rosin, liquid Pitch, Vernish, Frankincense and Camphire, equal parts; quick Brimstone a third part and half; two parts of Salt-Peter refined, three parts of Aqua Fortis, as much of Oyl of Peter and Gun-powder: pown them together, and make Fire-balls: put them into the hollow of the Pipe, that is broad enough to receive them. Put into the hollow part the first mixture, three fingers deep, and press it down: then put in the little Ball of Gun-powder onely, weighing one ounce, ready made: then put in again the first Powder: and do this by course one after another, till it be full; and stop the mouth, as I said. Some do not thrust down a Ball, but Hards wrap'd up in square pieces of Iron; and that is so pliable, that the first mixture can kindle the Gun-powder. Some put in with the Tow, Glass grosly powdered. Others, Salt and powder of Lead: for if the Lumps stick to Armour or Garments, you cannot put them out with water or any thing else till they be consumed. Some there are also that compass in the Rocket with Brass or Iron-Guns, and at the open passage of the Rocket, they put in Gun-powder; when fire comes at it, with terrible and frequent noises, they cast Leaden Bullets forth upon the standers by. I saw a Rocket of extraordinary largeness; it was ten foot long, and as wide as a mans head might go in: it was full of Fire-balls, Stones, and other matters, and put into a Gun, and bound to the lower part of the Cross-yard of a Ship, which was transported every way with cords, as the Souldiers would have it; and in Sea-fights was levelled against the Enemies Gallies, and destroyed them all almost. Yet I will not omit to relate how

A Brass-Gun once fired, may discharge ten times.

It is a new Invention, that a great Brass-Gun, or a hand-Gun, may discharge ten or more Bullets one after another without intermission. Make a dark Powder, such as I used in the precedent part, and fill it thus: First, put in a certain measure of Gun-powder, that being put in, may discharge the Ball: then put in the Ball, but a small one, that it may go in loosely, and that the powder put in upon it, may come to touch the Gun-powder: then pour in this dark powder two or three fingers depth: then put in your Gun-powder, and your Bullet: and thus in order, one after the other, until the Gun seems to be full to the very mouth. Lastly, pour in some of your dark clammy powder: and when you have levelled your Gun to the place appointed, put Fire to the mouth of it; for it will cast out the Bullets, and then Fire for so long time as a man may discharge a hand-Gun at divers shoots. And thus with one Brass-Gun you may discharge many times.

CHAP. V.

How Fire-Balls are made that are shot off in Brass-Guns.

NOw I will shew how to make some Pot-compositions of Fire-balls that are shot out of Brass-Guns; for divers uses: either to burn ships, or to give light to some men in the night, or at Solemnities to cast up into the Air, that they may seem to stream along like falling Stars.

Fire-balls flying in the Air,

that are made at Festival times. Grind one pound of Gun-powder, one third part of Salt-Peter, two ounces of Brimstone, and as much Colophonia: mingle all these, sow them up in Coffins made of thick Cloth in fashion of Balls, and put them into hollow half circles made in Wood, and strike them with a wooden Hammer that they may be hard as stones; then binde them about with cords, and dip them in Tar three or four times, they that may be well fenced about, lest being discharged by the violence of a Brass-Gun; they should break in pieces. Lastly, pierce them thrice thorow with a sharp stick in the centre, and fill them with Gun-powder, and dry them to be sent aloft. When you would use them, raise your Brass-Guns, or more conveniently the but end of your Guns, and take the Ball in a pair of Iron Pinchers, and give Fire to the holes, that it may take: when your are certain that it is lighted, with your right hand cast it into the hollow of the Gun; and with your left, give fire to the lowest touch-hole of the Gun: when it is fired, it rebounds; and being carried up by force of the Fire, it seems to run up and down in the Air, as I often saw it at Rome, and prepared it. They are made also

Another way.

Take Sea-pitch three parts, Turpentine-Rosin two parts, as much Brimstone, one part Goats suet: powder what must be powdered; and melt in a Brass Vessel what will melt: put them together, and stir them with a wooden stick. Then cast in Hards of Hemp or Flax, so much as will drink up all the mixture: then take the Brass Kettle from the fire, and with your hands make Balls as big as you will, that they may be shot forth of Brass-guns; and before they grow hard, thrust them through with wooden sticks, making small holes: then put in Gun-powder broken with Brimstone, and rowl them about upon a Table strewed with Gun-powder, and through the holes fasten cotton Matches rolled in the Powder, as I shall shew: let these dry and grow hard in the Sun. The way to discharge them from a Brass Gun is this: Chuse such as are commonly called Petrils, that are fittest for this use. The weight of the Gun-powder to be put into the Vessel, must be one fifth part of the Ball, or a little more or less: for if you put in much, they are either cast down by the too great violence of the Fire, or else they are put out as they flie, and do not answer our expectation. The Powder being put into the Vessel, lay neither Hards nor Hemp upon it; but fit the Ball upon the Powder, that as that fires, it may fire the Ball, and send it forth. Here is a more noble Composition

Another way.

Take five parts of Gun-powder, three of Salt-Peter refined, Brimstone two, Colophonia one half part, beaten Glass, common Salt, of Oyl of Peter, and of Linseed Oyl, and refined Aqua Vitae as much: powder what must be powdered, and pass it through a fine Cieve: then melt it in a new earthen pot with burning coals, without flame: let them not sparkle; for so the Composition may take fire. Then cast in the Powders, that they may incorporate well together: then make round Coffins of Linen cloth as I said, and fill them with the Gun-powder alone, and binde them with cords about: then wrap your Tow in the Composition, and make a Ball of the bigness you would have it; and if you will shoot it out of a Brass Gun, binde it the thicker with little cords: then pierce your Ball through in many places with wooden pricks, that they may come at the powder that lieth in the middle: then put cotton Match through, that when it flies in the Air so violently, they may preserve the fire. In another earthen Pot, melt Pine-Tree-Gum, Gun-powder and Brimstone, and dip in your Ball into that liquor, that it may be all over-cast with it. When you take it out, lift up your cotton Matches with a stick, and strew them with Gun-powder. This Ball will sorely punish the Enemies with a great noise, cracking and breaking asunder: the Fire cannot be put out: it will burn all kinde of Furniture, Garments and what else, till it be all consumed; for it will burn Armour so mightily, that unless they be taken off, they will burn the man.

CHAP. VI.

Of Compositions with burning Waters.

PHilosophers seeking the Reason of Waters that lie hid above and under the earth, and are always hot, they say, Bitumen is the cause thereof, which being once on fire, hath this property, that it will not only not be put out, but if you cast on water it will burn the more. The Mountain Chimaera burns always in Phaselis, both night and day. Gnidius Ctesias saith, The fire of it is kindled by water, and is put out with Earth or Hay. In the same Lycia, Vulcan's Mountains, touched with a burning Torch, will so burn, that the very stones and sand in Rivers are consumed by them, and will burn in the midst of the waters; and that fire is maintained by water. The hollow Cave in Nymphaeum foreshews terrible things to the men Apollonia: as Theopompus writes; it encreaseth by showres, and it casts forth Bitumen, that must be tempered with that Fountain that cannot be tasted, otherwise it is more weak then any Bitumen is. Now I shall search out the kindes of Bitumen. The first kinde is liquid, called Naphtha, we call it Oyl of Peter, which remains in stones and Ki[…]ram. This hath great affinity with Fire, and the fire will take hold of it every way at a great distance. So some say, That Medea burnt a whore, who, when she came to sacrifice at the Altar, the fire laid hold on her Garland. Another kinde is, that men call Maltha; for in the City of Comagenes Samosata, there is a Lake sends forth burning mud: when any solid thing toucheth it, it will stick to it; and being touch'd, it will follow him that runs from it. So they defended the Walls, when Lucullus besieged them, and the Soldier burned in his Armor. Waters do kindle it, and only Earth can quench it, as experience shews. Camphire is a kinde of it: as Bitumen, it draws fire to it and burns. Pissaphaltum is harder then Bitumen: both Amber and Jet are of this sort; but these burn more gently, and not so much in the waters. Moreover, in regard it burns in the Water, it is Brimstone; for no fatter thing is dug forth of the Earth. To maintain this fire, it self is sufficient: it neither burns in the waters, nor is it put out with water, nor doth it last long; but, joyn'd with Bitumen, the fire will last always, as we see in the Phlegrean Mountains at Puteoli: and as fire, if Oyl be cast in, burns the more; so when Bitumen is kindled, water cast on, makes the flame the greater. Wherefore I shall make use of those fires that burn in and above the waters. But I shall bring some examples how is made

A Ball that will burn under Water.

First prepare your Gun-Powder; for this must be one Ingredient in all Compositions, and gives force to the rest to burn vehemently. If it be in great corns, pown it well, and seirce it fine: to seven parts of this, add two parts of Colophonia, three of Salt-Peter, one of Brimstone: pown them all together, and mingle them; sprinkling on of Naphtha, or of liquid pitch Kitram; moystning them so long, until the powder pressed in your hand will stay together. When these are well mingled, make trial by them: if it burn too vehemently, add more Colophonia, Salt-Peter and Brimstone; but if but weakly, more Gun-powder. This mixture must be wrapt in straw or linen-rags, or put into coffins made of the same things; and binde it as close as you can with straw, or little cords round about: then dip it into scalding pitch, and so let it dry: then wrap it again with straw, and smeer it over with pitch, to keep it safe from water, and that it may not break asunder by the violence of the fire. When it is well dried, and a little hole made in it, put in Gun-powder, and put fire to it: and when it begins to burn, stay but very little, and cast it into the water. It will by its weight fall to the bottom, and the flames will strive with the water, and drive them far from it: so it will appear to burn above, and is obscured with a black smoak, that you will think you see the sulphureous waters at Puteoli burning there. Being then made lighter by many turnings and windings, it will seem to ascend to the superficies of the water; which is a most pleasant sight: for you will think that the water burns; and you shall see two contrary Element fighting together, yet to unite friendly until the matter be spent. Others wrap in cloth nothing but Gun-powder a whole handful; and this they binde in with cords: then they dip it in melted scalding pitch, and bound very fast, and wrapt in many linen rags; they make a small hole through it, and they place this in the Centre of the Ball we even now spake of, that when it comes to the superficies of the water, the fire taking hold on the Powder within, breaks the Ball in pieces; and with a mighty noise, wounds all those that stand neer it. Some make it

Otherwise.

They make a Composition of Brimstone, Colophonia, Salt-Peter, Vernish; and to this they add a fourth part of Gun-powder; and they add Venice-Turpentine-Rofin, Oyl of liquid Vernish, Petroleum, Linseed Oyl, and the best refined Aqua Vitae: with these they wet and sprinkle the dry Powders. I have seen this take fire more vehemently, and to cast the flames farther. To do

The same,

Take Mastick one part, Frankincense two, Grains of Vernish, Brimstone, Camphire, Gun-powder, of each three parts; of Colophonia six, Salt-Peter refined nine: pown them all together, and fift them; onely pown the Camphire mingled with the Salt; for that onely will not be powdered: strew them all about upon an earthen dish with a large mouth, and sprinkle them with Naphtha, or Vernish, or Linseed Oyl, and mingle them with your hands. Take out part of the Powder, and put it into a hollow Cane, and try it, whether it will burn to your minde; and if it burn too weak, put in more Gun-powder; if too vehemently, more Colophonia: always trying if it be as it should be. For to these Compositions, we add the same things to blunt the vehement burning of the Salt-Peter and the Gun-powder. Then make Coffins of Canvas, like Balls, and fill them with your Composition, and stuff it in well, and binde them well with cords round about. Then melt Brimstone, and let there be in it one fourth part of Gun-powder: stir them together with a wooden stick, and lute the Ball over with that liquor, that it may be well fenced and crusted. Then with a wooden prick make a hole in it in the middle to the Centre, and fill that with powder; and so put in fire, and it will burn under water: it may also be shot forth of brass Engines. I will shew you how to make

Balls and Pots to be cast forth of Ships.

The Ancients write, That Alexander the Great found out this Composition of Fires, to burn Bridges, Gates, Ships, and the like: but it will work now more vehemently, by reason of the Gun-powder added. Take Gun-powder, Salt-Peter, Brimstone, Pitch, Pine-Tree-Gum, Vernish in Grains, Frankincense, of each alike; Camphire one half: beat all these, and mingle them. Then take Oyl of Peter, liquid Vernish, Rosinous Turpentine, equal parts; and with these, being liquid, mingle all together, and fill Pots with them, to be cast among Ships and enemies: or, if you make a Ball of these, binde it hard about the head of a hammer, whose sharp-tooth'd end must be a foot long, and the handle three foot. If at a Sea-fight, any one with a light Boat strike this into a Ship of the enemies with one blow, he shall raise a mighty fire, that neither water nor any other thing will put out.