the Force of Fired Gitnpowder. 105 



The shortest of these tubes, which projected 1.3 inch 

 beyond the external surface of the barrel, was closed at 

 its projecting end, or rather it was not bored quite 

 through its whole length, T 3 of an inch of solid metal 

 being left at its end, which was rounded off in the form 

 of a blunt point. The longer tube, which projected 2.7 

 inches beyond the surface of the barrel, on the other 

 side, and which served for introducing the powder into 

 the chamber, was open ; but it could occasionally be 

 closed by a strong screw, furnished with a collar of oiled 

 leather, which was provided for that purpose. The 

 method of making use of this instrument was as fol- 

 lows. The barrel being laid down, or held, in an hori- 

 zontal position, with the long tube upwards, the charge, 

 which was of the very best fine-grained glazed powder, 

 was poured through this tube into the chamber. 



In doing this, care must be taken that the cavity of 

 the short tube be completely filled with powder, and this 

 can best be done by pouring in only a small quantity of 

 powder at first, and then, by striking the barrel with a 

 hammer, cause the powder to desce'nd into the short 

 tube. When, by introducing a priming wire, through 

 the long tube, it is found that the short tube is full, it 

 ought to be gently pressed together, or rammed down, 

 by means of the priming wire, in order to prevent its 

 falling back into the chamber upon moving the barrel 

 out of the horizontal position. The short tube being 

 properly filled, the rest of the charge may be introduced 

 into the chamber, and the end of the long tube closed 

 up by its screw. 



More effectually to prevent the elastic fluid generated 

 in the combustion of the charge from finding a passage 

 to escape by this opening, after the charge was intro- 



