SCIENTIFIC MATTERS. 193 



had more to do with the " burning of the breeches " 

 than the powder ever had. 



The next point to be considered in connection with 

 the patent chamber is the addition to the force of the 

 powder when discharged, and the partial diminution 

 of the recoil. The additional force given to the dis- 

 charge by powder, when burned in a conical breech, 

 arises from the concentration and reaction of the gases 

 in the cone at the extremity of the chamber. The ex- 

 tent of the reactionary force is considerable, acting as 

 it does upon the outward pressure of the gases. Sup- 

 pose a jet of water to enter a glass tumbler or tube, 

 having a round or conical-shaped bottom, instead of 

 a square or straight one, as is usually the case. The 

 reaction of the water would be greatly increased by 

 the conical shape of the base. So it is with the gases 

 in the patent-chambered gun. The same principle 

 may be noticed in the lanterns used on the front of 

 railroad engines in the night. The reflectors having 

 conical shapes, they throw the reflected light forward 

 with great intensity. In fact, the reflection is stronger 

 than the light itself. The recoil of the gun, moreover, 

 is lessened by the lateral pressure of the gases along 

 the sides of the chamber, while the reaction of the 

 gases at the extreme point counteracts, to a certain ex- 

 tent, the force of the recoil. In fact, it is now gen- 

 erally admitted that in the patent-chambered guns 

 the recoil is less than in the old-fashioned ones with 

 a straight breech-pin, and that the force of the charge 

 is increased. 



In this connection I will add the results of some 

 9 M 



