Powdor.
There are two sorts of Powder, the one serpentine Pow∣der, which powder is dust (as it were) without Corning, and this we never use at sea in Ordnance, not small short, both because it is of small force, and also, for that it will, with the aire of the Sea, quickly drie, and loose its force: The other is Corne Powder, whereof there are two sorts, Common powder (which is a great Corne, and not very strong) the other Musket-Powder (which is the finest, strongest, and best we can get:) The Ingredients, which make the powder, are, first, Salt-peeter (wherein the force of the Powder consists) next Brim∣stone, which is apt to flame, and once flamed, causeth the Salt-peeter to flame; (last, Cole, which is apt with any sparkle to kindle, but not to flame, yet doth maintaine the flame of the other two.) The best Salt-peeter is that which hath no fat, the best brimstone without drosse: and the best Cole, that which is made of the lightest wood: I only touch some chiefe things of this, because there are divers bookes concerning maine Conclusions touching the effect of powders in all kindes.