We give below the different compositions used to prepare these matches: -

Chlorate of Potash •

5 parts

6 parts

5 parts

Oxy-sulphuret of Antimony •

1/2 "

" "

" "

Binoxide of Lead •

3 "

" "

" "

Gum.....

2 "

2 "

2 "

Water . . .

8 "

8 "

8 "

Sulphur ....

" "

1/2 "

" "

Cyanide of Lead •

II II

2 "

" "

Glass • . •

II II

" "

3 "

Bichromate of Potash .

<i II

" "

2 "

The following is very good: -

Chlorate of Potash..... 28 1/2 parts

Glue........5 1/2 "

Bichromate of Potash.....3 "

Nitrate of Lead......2 3/4 "

Powdered Glass...... 10 3/4 "

Sulphur....... 85 "

These compositions applied to different kinds of wooden matches, take fire when they are rubbed on the ordinary rubbers, made with powdered sand, or glass and glue.

There are some other kinds which require a particular rubber: -

Composition For The Match

Chlorate of Potash, 7 1/3 parts. Nitrate of Lead, 2 1/3 parts. Bichrom. of Potash, 2 1/3 parts. Sulphur, 1 1/3 part. Gum, 6 1/3 parts. Water, 18 parts.

Composition For The Rubber

Chlorate of Potash, 6 parts. Slags, 1 part. Emery, 1 part. Minium, 1 part. Glue, q. s.

The glue must lie in sufficient quantity to make a paste which will adhere to wood. etc.

Some new matches without phosphorus, inflammable by rubbing on a small grate, are made now by dividing into two parts the paste prepared in the following proportions: -

Chlorate of Potash.....5 parts

Bichromate of Potash . • . . 2 "

Powdered Glass......5 "

Gum....... 15 "

Water........ 6 "

The first three substances are powdered to-gether, and mixed afterwards with the gam previously dissolved in water. Half of this compound, diluted with a solution sufficiently adhesive, is used to cover the tubbing surface by adding to it 0.2 of its weight of emery.

If to the above mixture 0.8 of red sulphuretted antimony is added, you can make matches which will ignite by rubbing them on any polished or rough surface.