This modification, or change in the appearance of flame, is apparent in certain compounds, of which antimony constitutes a part. Thus, antimony is used in the preparation of the common rocket stars, in drove stars, in the fixed pointed stars, in some of the gold and silver rains, in the slow and dead fire for wheels, in tourbillons for crowns or globes, in the composition of serpents, lances for illumination, Bengal lights, and many other kinds of fire-works. According to Adye, (Pocket Gunner,) it enters into the composition of carcasses, Chinese lights, &c. When it is as one to sixteen of nitre, the gunpowder being as four, and the sulphur, eight, the composition will produce a white flame; but when it is in the proportion of eight to sixteen of nitre, without any addition, the flame will be blue. By substituting, in its place, eight of amber to sixteen of nitre, with sixteen of sulphur, and eight of meal powder, this change will produce a yellow flame. It is obvious, however, that these and similar changes are owing to the proportions, as well as to the substances used. Antimony, in the state of a sulphuret, when mixed with chlorate of potassa, &c. will form detonating compounds. Antimony is a grayish-white metal, more or less brilliant and laminated. It is brittle, and may be easily reduced to powder. It melts at a red heat, and evaporates at a higher temperature: on cooling, it crystallizes. It undergoes no change by exposure to the air, except the loss of its lustre. When steam is made to pass over ignited antimony, the decomposition of the water is so rapid, as to produce a violent detonation. At a white heat, it burns, and forms a white coloured oxide, called the _argentine flowers of antimony_. Its oxides are various, some of which, possessing acid properties, are called acids. The protoxide is gray, the antimonious acid, white, and antimonic acid, of a straw colour. The crocus of antimony, and the glass of antimony are oxides of this metal, but in particular states of combination. It unites with several of the acids. Its oxide, with tartaric acid, and tartrate of potassa, forms _tartar emetic_. With chlorine, it constitutes the butter of antimony. The artificial sulphuret may be formed, by melting sulphur and antimony together. The native sulphuret is almost the only ore of antimony, and is the mineral from which the regulus is obtained. It unites with the metals, forming alloys of different kinds. _Sect. XXXVII. Of Carbonate of Potassa._