The phenomena exhibiting colored flames may be distinguished into non-illuminating and illuminating fires. The former expression is certainly not to be taken in the strict sense of the word, since a flame without any light is clearly impossible; but the line of distinction between the two is so marked, that the meaning is readily understood. Non-illuminating fires owing to that very peculiarity, are of but limited application compared with the colored or illuminating fires proper, which are those principally called into service by pyrotechnists. The medium of combustion in the former is almost exclusively alcohol, while that of the latter is either charcoal, or sulphur, or both together.

* In this section we are indebted for many recipes to the "American Druggists' Circular."

Before proceeding with a description of the various lights and their components, it will be necessary to give practical methods for the preparation of the ingredients, and it will be found advisable to adhere strictly to the rules laid down in the following chapter.