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having served for this purpose, were reservedfor constructing rafts and bridges. In GeneralMiinnich’s campaign in 1736, and in severalsubsequent operations, this simple expedientwas adopted. Each company took with it alarge barrel of water for its own use; and, inorder to make the empty vessels available to theother purpose, 8 or 10 planks were likewise car-ried by the men, in turns. In this way theRussians have frequently, and very readily,crossed large rivers by means which had beenprovided for another essential use; and fromthese facts I have been led to suggest thatcasks which may have become void, may thusbe turned to great profit, and often provea very valuable resource. Casks being lighter,displace less water than any sort of timber-raftcarrying the same weight;—they are thereforemore buoyant and manageable than rafts formedof timber, and may either wholly, or in combi-nation with timber, be extremely serviceable.

Rafts of Air-tight Cases—Inflated Bags, andVessels formed of Animal Skins.

Air-tight cases, made of light wood and othermaterials, are likewise useful expedients forconstructing rafts; and may also be used eitherexclusively, or to give additional buoyancy to