GUNS. 31 



alone is the almost invariable cause of instant 

 death in such cases. Assuming this to be 

 the fact (and I think but few of my thinking 

 readers will hesitate to do so, being supported 

 in the opinion by the testimony of our most 

 skilful surgeons), it follows that our object should 

 be to create a shock sufficiently severe to always 

 insure death if possible. It is well known that 

 a comparatively slight blow in a vital point, as 

 certain parts of the head, neck, or the immedi- 

 ate region of the heart, will produce a shock 

 sufficient to cause death. A very heavy blow, or 

 the united shock of a number of lighter blows, 

 taking effect in less vulnerable parts, may be suf- 

 ficient to accomplish our purpose. So long 

 as we insure striking a vital place, it is obvi- 

 ous the larger the shot we can use the better, 

 as, their momentum being greater, and their in- 

 dividual striking surfaces larger, they must con- 

 sequently' have greater bone-smashing and nerve- 

 destroying effects, and produce greater shocks. 

 Once in a while, though once too often, a stick- 

 ler for small shot will assert as an argument in 

 their favor that small shot will penetrate deeper 

 than large ones, as their surface to be resisted 

 is so much smaller. 



