Pyrotechny

(piro-tek-ne,) or PYROTECH'NICS. [From Gr. pyr, fire, and technē, an art; pyr, fire, and technilos, artistic. ] The art of constructing fireworks intended to be let off on the ground, in the air, or under water. The materials principally employed consist of nitre, sulphur, and charcoal; with the addition of substances to produce color, . Iron filings give bright red and white sparks. Copper filings impart a greenish tint to the flame; zinc, a fine blue; sulphur et of antimony, a le greenish blue, and much smoke; amber, colo phony, or common salt, a yellow. Lamp-black with gunpowder gives a red, but with nitre in exce , a pink color; and is used also to produce golden showers. Yellow sand, or glistening mica, communicate to fireworks a golden radiation; verdigris, sulphate of copper, and sal ammoniac, each a shade of green. Camphor gives a very white flame, and an aromatic odor. Some other substances are used to mask a bad smell. Lycopodium seed gives a rose-color and splendid flame; it is used in theatres to represent lightning, . [s. 744]