234 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



able to throw shot across the Straits of Dover; and 

 in the fulness of their faith in that mythical piece 

 of ordnance, they refused to believe that the skill of 

 modern artillerists was unequal to the construction 

 of cannon even more effective. 



If there are any who still believe in the powers 

 ascribed to the far-famed * pocket-pistol,' they will find 

 their confidence in modern artillery largely shaken by 

 the announcement that it is considered a great matter 

 that one of Whitworth's cannon should have thrown 

 a shot to a distance of very nearly six miles and a half. 

 Not only is this so, however, but it is well known that 

 no piece of ordnance has ever flung a projectile to so 

 great a distance since first fire-arms were invented ; 

 and it may be safely predicted that men will never be 

 able to construct a cannon which as far as range is 

 concerned will do much better than this one of 

 Mr. Whitworth's. The greatest range which had ever 

 before been attained fell somewhat short of six miles. 

 The 7-inch steel gun contrived by Mr. Lynall Thomas 

 had flung a projectile weighing 175 Ibs. to a distance 

 of 10,075 yards ; and, according to General Lefroy's 

 4 Handbook of Artillery,' that was the greatest range 

 ever recorded. But Mr. Whitworth's cannon has thrown 

 a shot more than 1,000 yards farther. 



Very few have any idea of the difficulties which 

 oppose themselves to the attainment of a great range 

 in artillery practice. It may seem, at first sight, the 

 simplest possible matter to obtain an increase of 

 range. Let the gun be made but strong enough to 



