If we were to burn NH4Cr2O7 with HgSCN in the Dark Ages in Europe and show it to anyone, it is us who would be burning next on a fiery cross of Inquisition. And it’s no wonder, since this experiment produces a truly marvelous result. At first, as you ignite the mixture of NH4Cr2O7 and HgSCN, all you can see is that it is slowly burning with a reddish flame. After a while, however, a crater is formed in the middle of the burning pile, and then, suddenly, tentacle-like appendages start sprouting from the burning mixture. And you can almost hear the scream of the mad occultist – “Come forth, Kraken! Come forth!” But of course, this is simply a chemical reaction that is called the "Pharoah's Serpent". It was also often sold in firework stores until people realized that it was toxic.

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Magdalena Neuner poses in front of mammoth figures during a photocall of the German Biathlon Woman Team at the Archeopark on March 10, 2011 in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia. On the territory of Archeopark are mammoth sculptural compositions, made of bronze. Mammoths lived in Ugra 70-10 thousand years ago and were members of the Pleistocene, or also called 'the mammoth fauna’. The growth figures exceed the natural factor 2-3 times.

“The Only Way Is Essex” star Yazmin Oukhellou, 27, showed off her toned figure in the minidress, which featured sеxy side cut-outs, as she headed out in Hertfordshire in southern Englandon on Saturday, August 14, 2021. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)

A drone photo shows fall folaige wih tones of yellow, red and brown colors of Uludag Mountain, one of the most significant winter tourism destination of Turkey, on November 29, 2020 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Sergen Sezgin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Members of the Colombian Navy stand guard on top of a seized submarine built by drug smugglers in a makeshift shipyard in Timbiqui, department of Cauca February 14, 2011. Colombian authorities said the submersible craft was to be used to transport 8 tons of cocaine illegally into Mexico. (Photo by Jaime Saldarriaga/Reuters)

American actress and singer Selena Gomes ditched her top as she got cosy with American record producer and songwriter Benny Blanco in Interview March 2025 issue. The couple have a joint album in the works. (Photo by Interview Magazine)

A person takes a photo of the skyline with the Shard building in the center, at sunset, from Greenwich Park in London, Tuesday, November 24, 2020. (Photo by Yui Mok/PA Wire via AP Photo)