Lately new matches have been prepared by Messrs, Vaudaux and Poignon, which are free from white phosphorus, are without danger of poisoning, and diminish the chances of fire. The following is the composition of the chemical mastic: -

Chlorate of Potash ..... 90 parts

Bichromate of Potash..... 45 "

Binoxide of Lead...... 25 "

Minium........ 20 "

Oxy-sulphuret of Antimony . . . . 20 "

Sulphuret of Antimony • . • . • • 15 "

Glass...... . . . 15 "

Prussiate of Potash..... 5 "

All these substances, reduced to fine powder, are mixed together by adding to them 15 parts of gum previously dissolved in 55 of water.

It is sufficient to saturate the end of the match, and dry it as usual.

These matches take fire with more difficulty than the matches with white phosphorus, and are not so dangerous, particularly in the bands of children.

The following composition is better, for it will not ignite without the use of a special rubber: -

Chlorate of Potash...... 26 parts

Binoxide of Lead or Manganese • • . 25 "

Bichromate of Potash..... 20 "

Cyanide of Lead...... 20 "

Oxy-sulphuret of Antimony • • • . 20 "

Glass........ 4 "

These substances are mixed together with a solution of 5 of gum in 20 of water. A paste is made, into which the sulphuretted end of the match is dipped.

The special rubber is prepared with powdered sulphuret of antimony, mixed with a hot solution of glue, and spread on a piece of paste-board.

Mr. Bombes has invented a new match which he calls androgyne, prepared in the fol-lowing manner: -

The wood is cut into little cubic blocks, containing 300 or 400 matches not separated; they are sulphuretted as usual, and the sulphuretted ends are dipped into a paste composed of:-

Chlorate of Potash......2 parts

Charcoal........1 part

Terra Umbra.......1 "

These three substances are pulverized separately, and then mixed with a viscous solution of glue kept warm, during the dipping, with a water-bath. When they are dried, or rather before the dipping, saturate the face of the block, which reunite the matches with a paste of amorphous phosphorus diluted in a solution of warm glue; and it is not until after this operation that the matches are separated.

To ignite one of these matches, break it into two unequal pieces, having in one hand the shorter piece; bear up the end covered with the chlorate paste on the end, saturated with the phosphoretted plastering; rub. A little deflagration takes place, the sulphuretted end takes fire immediately, and communicates it to the wood.

Below we give the report of Mr. Chevreul on that kind of match. This report was read before the Academy of Science of Paris.

Examination Of The Androgyne Safety Matches

The matches of the Brothers Coignet are essentially formed: 1st, of a paste of chlorate of potash, sulphuret of antimony, and a glutinous substance applied to the sulphuretted end of the match; 2d, a rubber or grate covered with a thin coating of glutinous matter and amorphous phosphorus rendercd rough by powdered glass.

A light friction of the priming of the match against the rubber is sufficient to ignite the match.

The androgyne match differs only from the hygienic match in this, that the amorphous phosphorus has been applied to the end of the match, which is not sulphuretted, instead of on a special rubber. It has then this advantage, that the match carries with it all that is requisite in producing the fire. Indeed, it is sufficient to rub one part of the match against the other.

The androgyne match, for hygiene, presents the same advantage in its use as the match of Coignet; and, it seems preferable to it as it is, in not necessitating the use of a separate rub-ber, which is important, as it has been remarked that a box of Coignet's contains more matches than can be ignited on the rubber annexed to the box, because the phosphorus of this rubber is much injured before all the matches are used.

For hygienic reasons, they both have a real advantage over the matches of white phosphorus, the use of which is not desirable in any matches intended for domestic purposes.

Examination oF Mr. Canouil's Matches without Phosphorus and Poison.

The matches prepared by Mr. Canouil are not deleterious, and have the advantage of those of Coignet of containing neither white nor amorphous phosphorus.

The substances employed by Mr. Canouil are principally the chlorate of potash, the sulphuret of antimony, minium or another metallic oxide, gum, dextrine, or gelatine. This composition is similar to that of Coignet, but the substance applied on the rubber of Mr. Canouil's contains no red phosphorus nor deliquescent matter, and keeps as long as it adheres to the rubber.

The matches of Mr. Canouil require a rubber, but the rubbing must be stronger than is necessary with those of Mr. Coignet with amorphous phosphorus, and it is an unquestion-able fact that children cannot light the matches of Mr. Canouil, while they can do so easily those of Mr. Coignet and the Androgyne. The amorphous phosphorus is prepared with-out danger to the health of the workmen, and the rubber, as prepared now, can be used to light a quantity of matches double that contained in the box.

Conclusions

1st For hygiene the androgyne matches have over ordinary matches the advantage of the matches of Mr. Coignet, of which the active and chemical principle of the rubber is the amorphous phosphorus.

2d. The matches without phosphorus or poison are without danger to the workmen employed in making them, and are good in use. We recommend their use.