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put under each frame, as may be necessary togive the requisite buoyancy.

In mountainous, and other difficult countries,rafts formed of casks, or other small, close ves-sels, may be highly useful. These, togetherwith the necessary planks and beams, may becarried on horses, mules, or other beasts ofburthen, or even by hand, where carriages canneither be procured, nor used. For such cases,this is, perhaps, one of the most valuable ex-pedients that can be resorted to, for the pas-sage of rivers in desultory operations.—Witharmies in general, empty casks sufficient tomake a considerable raft, may always be sup-plied by the Commissariat, and other depart-ments.

The Russians , in their wars against the Turksand Tartars , have always been obliged to carryacross the deserts, supplies of water sufficientfor several days consumption. The casks, after

carriage is provided for each, and a pair of its wheels putupon an axle attached to the frame, to run it into the water.The frames are fastened to each other without interval, informing a raft. Nine casks of the above dimensions, sup-posing them to be nearly the same weight as ours, will floatabout 3,900 lbs.—which, deducting the weight of the frames,floor and wheels, is sufficient to bear infantry marching indouble files, cavalry in single files, and artillery unlimbered.