286 SHIKAR SKETCHED 



in the pursuit of large and dangerous game, the 

 great object is to inflict a wound that will break 

 bones, and to a certain extent cripple the animal, 

 and so avoid accidents. Now an Express bullet 

 has not this power, nor has it penetration enough 

 to reach a vital part, and, when it is considered 

 what a mass of bone, muscle, and sinew a tiger 

 possesses, it will, I think, readily be conceded that 

 what is wanted is a projectile that will penetrate 

 all this. The penetrating power of an Express 

 bullet can, however, be considerably increased by 

 omitting the hollow in the point ; but then, of 

 course, all advantages obtained by the bullet 

 being hollow, and which causes it to expand in 

 an animal, is lost. 



Many sportsmen will doubtless disagree with 

 these remarks, and may bring forward numerous 

 instances of tigers, bears, etc., and even the ele- 

 phant, being killed by a single Express bullet. 

 No doubt such instances have occurred ; but do 

 they prove that it is the best weapon ? I myself 

 know of an instance where a full-grown panther 

 was killed by a charge of shot fired at random 

 into a bush in which it lay concealed. One 

 pellet alone entered the ear, and penetrating the 

 brain, caused death ; but I think if I were on 

 this account to advocate the using of shot to shoot 



