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.