RECOIL. 1 9 1 



distance and dimensions of the mark, and the number 

 of grains thrown into it at each discharge. From 

 the experiment it appears, to use the words of M. Le 

 Clerc, that, " with regard to the recoil, the distance of 

 the touchhole from the breech is of little importance." 

 The table accompanying the remarks quoted, giving 

 the result of the various discharges, throughout the 

 trial, shows that the mere point of ignition was imma- 

 terial. 



If it were possible, when discharging the gun, to 

 jerk it back with sufficient force, and at the right in- 

 stant, the shot would drop harmless from the muzzle. 

 Consequently, the sportsman who holds the gun most 

 firmly to his shoulder will be able to kill at the great- 

 est distance, other things being equal. Base-ball 

 catchers have learned this secret, or they would have 

 more broken fingers than they can now boast of. By 

 dropping the hand, and gradually checking, so far as 

 possible, the force of the heavily loaded ball, they 

 avoid much of the punishment that would otherwise 

 follow. 



