CHAPTER X.

Compositions similar to gunpowder — Mines worked by it under Herod ; by the Christian priests under the Emperor Julian at Jerusalem ; and in Syria under the Caliph Motassem ; and by the priests of Delphi in order to repulse the Persians and Gauls — Antiquity of the invention of Gunpowder ; its probable origin in Hindustan ; it has been known from time immemorial in China — Tartar army repelled by artillery — Priests of India employed the same means to hurl thunder upon their enemies —The thunder of Jupiter compared to our fire-arms — Many assumed miracles explained by the use of these arms — Gun- powder was known in the latter empire, probably until the twelfth century. . . . 226—242