This kind of matches, invented by Messrs. Savaresse and Merckel in 1836, and improved in 1849, is prepared with a machine similar to a weaving loom, carrying a chain disposed for the weaving. Every wick of the match is composed of pieces of cotton, not twisted, and represents one thread of the chain, and 100 or 200 of these wicks rolled on a cylinder, and separated by a comb; pass through a bath of melted wax; they are drawn in a drawing frame which renders the wax smooth, cylindrical, and adhering around the wicks. A mechanical knife cuts, at one time, all the wicks according to the determined length, from 1 to 1 1/4 inch. The end of each match has the wax taken off, and the paste applied to it, 80 at a time. They are dried and put into boxes.

These candle matches are ignited by friction. They give immediately a fine light, which lasts one or two minutes, that is, four or eight times as long as the wooden matches.

The phosphoric mastic ought to be easily inflammable; for the cotton and the wax not having the solidity of the wooden matches, cannot resist powerful friction as well.

The paste is thus formed: -

We shall say but a few words of the tinder and paper match. A large sheet of tinder is cut into small squares, and at the end of each square is applied a little of the phosphoric mastic. To light them they are inflamed on a rubber prepared of paste-board, on which is applied a coating of glue and powdered glass, or emery.

The paper match consists of filtering paper, which has been macerated two or three hours in a solution of nitre, and when perfectly dried, it is cut into small bands, which are doubled, and at the end of each is applied some phosphoric mastic