OF PROJECTILES. 2ly

On comparing these penetrations with those of the 8 id.shot (183) the number of men in file that the (hell can passthrough from the different distances will be found in roundnumbers.

Number of men

Fired close to them

Yards.

destroyed by

5

At the distance of

340

— 3

At the distance of

680

— 2

219. To derive from the howitzer shell the fullest effects,it should burst in the midst of a body of troops, and its powerof movement be quite exhausted in passing through the ob-stacles it meets with before it burst.

To determine the effects of the splinters, let some how-itzer shells burst in the midst of a number of dead animalsand their effects be carefully observed. The result in generalwill prove that the splinters of a shell will not pass throughthe thickest parts of a man’s body; and if it burst in themidst of a number of men, not more than four of thosenearest to it will be wounded: by adding to the possibleeffects of the shock (218) those of the splinters, we shall as-certain how many men can be killed or wounded by a how-itzer shell.

Number of men killed or wounded.

By the shock

By the shock

alone.

Yards;

and splinters.

Fired close to them

5

— 9

At the distance of

340 3

“ 7

At the distance of

680 2

— 6

The number of men wounded and disabled will be greater,if the least resisting parts of the body be struck; as was re-marked in the cafe of cannon shot.

220. On comparing the effects of a (hell and shot (197),it is apparent that in respect to the shocks alone, not only.common 8 prs. but even short guns fired with the leastcharge are more destructive than the howitzer; and that theonly advantage the latter has over them is when the shellbursts at 680 yards. A howitzer shell fired against the frontof an army will seldom range 680 yards; and even thenit is mere chance, if it burst in the midst of a body of men :should not this happen, or should it by accident break against

a stone