Emily Dickinson Lexicon

PORT-FIRE, n.

A composition for setting fire to powder, &c. frequently used in preference to a match. It is wet or dry. The wet is composed of saltpeter four parts, of sulphur one, and of mealed powder four; mixed and sifted, moistened with a little lintseed oil and well-rubbed. The dry is composed of saltpeter four parts, sulphur one, mealed powder two, and antimony one. These compositions are driven into small papers for use. – Encyc.