The oxygenated, or _chlorate matches_, are first dipped in melted
sulphur, and then tipped with a paste made of chlorate of potass,
sulphur, and sugar, mixed with gum-water, and coloured with vermilion:
frankincense and camphor are sometimes mixed with the composition, and
the wood of the match is pencil-cedar, so that a fragrant odour is
diffused from the matches in burning. To obtain light, a match is very
lightly dipped in a bottle containing a little asbestos soaked in oil
of vitriol.
_Lucifers_ consist of chips of wood tipped with a paste of chlorate of
potass mixed with sulphuret of antimony, starch, and gum-water: when a
match is pinched between the folds of glass-paper, and suddenly drawn
out, a light is instantly obtained.
_Prometheans_ consist of small rolls of waxed paper, in one end of
which is a minute quantity of vitriol, in a glass bulb, sealed up,
and surrounded with chlorate of potass: when the end thus prepared is
pressed so as to break the bulb, the vitriol comes in contact with the
composition, and produces light instantly.
For cigar-smokers, Prometheans are made with touch-paper; this ignites
from the composition, and glows without flame, like a slow match; and
as the wind will not extinguish it, a dry cigar may be readily lighted
at it.
Lucifers and Prometheans must be used with caution, and should never be
carelessly left about: by letting them fall upon a sanded floor, and
being accidentally trod upon, they may take fire, and thus do great
mischief.