24 SHOOTING. 



rates prejudicially on the ingredients which contribute to instanta- 

 neous ignition." 



The percussion gunpowders require a passing notice. The appli- 

 cation of these combustibles have effected great changes in sporting 

 art, and the science of projectiles generally. Detonating substances 

 are but of modern date. 



The discovery Qifidmincitlng mercury, which forms the percussion 

 poAvder now in use, is attributed to Mr. Howard ; the full particu- 

 lars of which are detailed in the PJnlosophical Transactions. Its 

 manufacture is effected in the following maimer: — A hundred 



f rains of mercury are to be dissolved by heat in an ounce and a half, 

 y measure, of nitric acid. This solution being poured cold into 

 tv/o ounces, by measure, of alcohol in a glass vessel, heat is to be 

 applied till effervescence is excited. A white vapour undulates on 

 the surface, and a powder is gradually precipitated, which is to be 

 immediately collected on a filter, well washed, and cautiously dried 

 with a very moderate heat. This powder detonates loudly by 

 gentle heat or shght friction. The fuhninating mercury should be 

 moistened with about thirty per cent, of water, then triturated in 

 a mortar, and afterwards mixed with the sixth part of its weight of 

 gunpowder. Matches, caps, &c., made in this manner resist damp, 

 and do not corrode the instrument wliich contains the powder. It 

 hasbeen often ascei-tained by experiment, that they have frequently 

 ignited after having been immersed in water. This is the method 

 which is adopted in the manufacture of percussion caps. 



THE DIFFERENT KINDS AND SIZES OF SHOT. 



_ Tliere is some little confusion about shot, on account of the 

 sizes and numbers not coinciding in all the manufactories of it. 

 This circumstance tends to mislead sportsmen, and very often to 

 give rise to false theories and ideas about the force and resistance 

 of projectile instruments generally. An ounce of No. 7 shot out 

 of Messrs. Walker and Parker's manufactory contains 341 pellets ; 

 and the same weight from Mr. Beaumont's, 398. Add to this, that 

 in some places the usual numbers are reversed. The following is 

 a list of the shot in Messrs. Walker's firm, with letterings, nu-nber- 

 marks, and the number of pellets in an ounce : — 



Mould, drop, or swan-shot, are of large size, and commonly used 

 for wild-fowl shooting. They are lettered, and the pellets numbered 

 as follows ; — 



