IB ACT 37 .

OP GUNNERY.

261

the consequence of this is, that the ball, in passing throughthe bore, is kicked about from side to side, which renders ita matter altogether of chance what course the shot may takewhen out of the piece, as it depends entirely on the part ofthe bore the shot last strikes, before it issue out of it, whetherit may take a course to the right or the left of the plane ofdirection, or whether it shall rise above the line of direction,or sink below it; as the ball usually takes a course oppositeto the last point that it strikes and rebounds from. To goregular and straight along the bore therefore, it is desirableand necessary, that the shot be as large as it can be, conve-niently to enter the bore of the piece. This circumstancewill also be attended with other considerable advantages, thfesparing of gunpowder, as much less of it will suffice, andthe shot will have much more velocity, with far less expenseof powder.

103. Another disadvantage in the use of artillery, is theshape of the shot, being globular. In consequence of thisshape it is, that it is knocked about in the bore, from side toside, and it acquires mostly a rotatory motion round an axis,the effect of which is, after leaving the piece, to cause theball to deviate and turn aside, more and more in its flight,from the line of direction. Whereas if, instead of the roundball, the shot were made in the shape of a cylinder, more orless long, but of equal diameter with the bore very nearly,the shot would go straight forward along the bore, and outof the piece, at the direction this is pointed in, and arrive atthe object with far less cause of deviation. Not only so, butthe guns would be much less injured, and the expense ofpowder also less. Other advantages would also attend thischange in the shot; as, from its superior weight, it wouldrange much farther; and, in the sea service, would have notonly the common advantage of a heavier shot, but also, fromits irregular shape, making a perforation in the side of a shipwhich could not easily be closed or repaired. By thesemeans the practice could be rendered both more efficaciousand more certain; and consequently, instead of merely guess-