shots, clean through." This is a fair test for 40 yards 

 horizontal. Now let us see what theory has to say to 

 it. The appropriate equation is 



v^ = V^-2gh, 

 when V = the diminished velocity due to counteradtion 

 by gravity, V = the average velocity, say 850 ft. per 

 second, g = 32, and h = I 20 ft. (40 yards). Anyone 

 who cares to work out this equation will find that the 

 redudion of velocity is only about 5 ft. per second, or less 

 than '6 per cent., and, consequently, that the striking 

 energy is reduced by less than 1 \ per cent. — a quite in- 

 appreciable amount. So that B's conclusion that the 

 killing powers of the shot are not appreciably interfered 

 with is entirely borne out by theory. 



The Editor, also, dealing with somewhat higher mcirks, 

 still considers that "there is plenty of penetration in the 

 shot to kill at this height," and he has reason. The simple 

 fact is, that the (negative) velocity due to the action of 

 gravity during the extremely short time that it takes the 

 shot to reach its mark, say, one sixth of a second. Is 

 inappreciable compared with the velocity due to the 

 explosion. In other words, there is no appreciable differ- 

 ence in striking force at 40 yards vertical and 40 yards 

 horizontal. 



D makes an Interesting remark. He says — "A high 

 cock pheasant .... looks higher than he is." This 

 also is in accordance with more general experience. The 

 effect is due to a simple and well known, if not so well 

 understood, optical illusion. If at equal distances we view 

 equal discs, one being a black disc on a white ground, and 

 the other a white disc on a black ground, it is extremely 



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