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.

The world's longest moustache (belonging to one Ram Singh Chauhan of Rajasthan, India) measures a staggering 11.5 feet, or nearly 4 metres.

A fruit importer's lorry at Covent Garden, London, with its driver's cabin in the shape of an apple. (Photo by Harold Clements/London Express/Getty Images). October 1928

Monaco's Princess Charlotte Casiraghi arrives to attend a mass at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral during the celebrations marking Monaco's National Day, on November 19, 2016 in Monaco. (Photo by Valery Hache/Reuters)

Abbey Clancy attends Lifetime's launch of Britain's Next Top Model airing tonight at 9pm on Lifetime on March 16, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by PA Wire)

A helicopter from the Venezuela's Army takes part in a military parade to celebrate the 207th anniversary of Venezuela's independence in Caracas, Venezuela July 5, 2018. (Photo by Marco Bello/Reuters)

Family and celebrities arrive at Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday celebration at Craig's in West Hollywood, CA on August 9, 2018. Pictured: Kim Kardashian. (Photo by Splash News and Pictures)

Norway's Karsten Warholm celebrates winning the men's 400m hurdles at the Diamond League in London, July 21, 2018. (Photo by Andrew Boyers/Action Images via Reuters)