content_output-069_8 (Q6499)

hair, hemp, hide, or other suitable substance. The charge was composed of, first, a bed of fine gunpowder, four fingers in thickness, then a bullet made of hempen stuff mixed with powder, wax, etc., then a layer of coarse powder, composed of powdered glass, Grecian wax, steel filings and saltpetro, then two fingers of fine powder and bullet alternately, until loaded to the muzzle; it will thus be seen that the weapon greatly resembled a Roman candle or pump, throwing successively burning wax and inflammable balls. The weapon was, of course, fired from the muzzle, and the whole tube bound upon a stick, to handle it during the discharge.