PREFACE TO THE NEW AND ENLARGED 

 EDITION. 



The very favorable and gratifying reception accord- 

 ed the former edition of this work, has induced me 

 to lay before the public a new and enlarged edition, 

 embracing, in addition to all the original matter, seve- 

 ral new chapters on choke-bores, targeting, etc. The 

 theoretical portions I have endeavored to make clear 

 and practical to all. To attempt any thing like 

 completeness in the discussion of such subjects would 

 occupy more than an entire volume of the present 

 size. I have, therefore, while bringing into view the 

 most essential points, endeavored to incite the reader 

 to further experiments and investigations for himself. 



In the chapter on the history of choke-bores, cer- 

 tain portions will no doubt be recognized by very 

 many of my readers as matters of fact coming under 

 their own personal observation and experience ; and 

 now that I have traced the connections for them that 



