Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington
Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington
Plants with toxic alkaloids - University of Washington
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Greek Fire<br />
Fire darts shot from bows (Marcellinus 4 th century AD): hollow cane<br />
shafts reinforced <strong>with</strong> iron and punctured <strong>with</strong> holes for oxygen access were<br />
filled <strong>with</strong> bitumen (petroleum product like asphalt, tar, naphta, & natural oil).<br />
The effect was enormous against cavalry and war elephants. Fire lances <strong>of</strong><br />
China (900 AD)were bamboo tubes filled <strong>with</strong> charcoal sulphur, saltpeter fitted<br />
to a lance and thrown towards the enemy acitng like a 2 min flame thrower.<br />
Lucan (1 st century AD) torches dipped in oil & sulphur were thrown onto<br />
ships<br />
Siege <strong>of</strong> Syracuse: Greek Scientist Archimedes had soldiers polish their<br />
bronzen shields and focus the sun rays upon Roman ships blockading the<br />
harbor. 1975 experiment was repeated by I Sakkas. 60 sailors <strong>with</strong> shield-like<br />
mirrors ignited a wooden ship at 50 m distance.<br />
Noxious smokes from burning feathers (Asia) , pepper seeds ( Am),<br />
sulphur (SO 2 , lime dust (CaCO 3 ) were used during tunneling warfare<br />
(attacker tried to tunnel under the walls and have them collapse).
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