in clock-work, is that conical part drawn by the spring, and about which the chain or string is wound; for the use of which, see Clock and Watch.

Fusle, or Firelock. See Musquet.

Fusee, Fuze, or Fuse, of a bomb or grenade, is that which makes the whole powder or composition in the shell take fire, to do the designed execution.

Fuzes are chiefly made of very dry beech wood, and sometimes of hawthorn, taken near the root. They are turned rough, and bored at first, and then kept for several years in a dry place; the diameter of the hole is about one-fourth of an inch; the hole does not come quite through, leaving about one-fourth of an inch at the bottom; and the head is made hollow, in the form of a bowl.

The composition for fuzes is saltpetre 3, sulphur 1, and mealed powder 3, 4, and sometimes 5. This composition is driven in with an iron driver (whose ends are capped with copper to prevent the composition from taking fire), and equally hard as possible; the last abovefull being all mealed powder, and two stands of quickmatch laid across each other being driven in with it, the ends of which are folded up into the hollow top, and a cap of parchment tied over it till used.

When these fuzes are driven into the loaded shell, the lower end is cut off in a slope, so that the composition may inflame the powder in the shell; the fuze must have such a length as to continue burning all the time the shell is in its range, and to set fire to the powder as soon as it touches the ground, which instantly bursts into many pieces. When the distance of the battery from the object is known, the time of the shell's flight may be computed to a second or two; which being known, the fuze may be cut accordingly, by burning two or three, and making use of a watch or a string by way of a pendulum to vibrate seconds.