Release the Kraken!

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What happens when you combine NH4Cr2O7 and HgSCN and expose it to fire? A portal to hell opens up and the most dreaded denizen of the deepest slime is awakened. Whatever these chemicals are, they are dangerous, and the reaction is even more dangerous, so don't ever do this. But it is a guaranteed way to make a class of children yell "Kraken! Kraken!" no matter what their language. -via Geeks Are Sexy

(NH4)2Cr2O7 is Ammonium dichromate which is sometimes called "Vesuvian Fire" as it was commonly used to simulate a volcanic eruption. I remember building ing a plaster of paris volcano model and making it erupt in my 6th grade class (circa 1967--yeah, I'm old)
The other compound is Mercury(II) thiocyanate (Hg(SCN)2) AKA "Pharoah's Serpent" It used to be used in fireworks because of its black-snake effect. However, it isn't readily available anymore because it is toxic.

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So thát's how "Kraken" is properly pronounced ;)

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