302 THE SCIENTIFIC PAPERS OF 



indicated, by making, instead of one opening in the centre, several 

 openings in a circle around it. In order to maintain atmospheric 

 pressure inside the projectile, its sides were perforated by a number 

 of small holes. The weight of the moving mechanism need not 

 exceed 6 ounces, and considering its strength and simplicity of 

 arrangement, he did not apprehend any force, less than that which 

 would destroy the shell itself, would interfere with its proper 

 action. The advantages that would be obtained by such a com- 

 plete record of the forces acting upon projectiles, under different 

 circumstances of charge, form and speed, would, he thought, be 

 very great, not only with regard to the construction of ordnance, 

 and to balistic laws, but to science generally, in affording useful 

 information regarding the nature of fluid resistance. The experi- 

 ment could be tried with any gun, and at a small expense ; and if 

 the proper authorities should think his proposal worth the trial, he 

 should most readily give his services in the matter. 



In the discussion of Papers 



"ON EAILWAY ACCIDENTS THEIR CAUSES AND 

 MEANS OF PREVENTION," by JAMES BRUNLEES, 

 M. Inst. C.E. ; and 



ON RAILWAY ACCIDENTS SHOWING THE BEARING 

 WHICH EXISTING LEGISLATION HAS UPON 

 THEM," by Captain DOUGLAS GALTON, R.E., F.R.S., 

 Assoc. Inst. C.E., 



ME. SIEMENS * said, the comparative safety of the German and 

 other continental railways was principally owing to the smaller 

 number of trains which were run, and the lower speed at which 

 they travelled. The interference with the personal liberty of the 



* Excerpts Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. Vol. 

 XXI. Session 1861-1862, pp. 383-385. 



