308 



THE SPORTING RIFLE. 



piece,' and that this fact accounts for the greater force at the 

 longer ranges, ' up even to a range of 250 yards, as some have 



RESULTS OP SHOOTING AT VARIOUS DISTANCES. 



surmised.' Yes, I have been coolly told that an absurdity, 

 which is contrary to all the laws of motion, is an incontro- 

 vertible fact, because, forsooth, some have surmised it. But, 

 sir, I appeal to you if such a monstrous theory can possibly 

 be true. Look at a and c?, which penetrated the shortest 

 distance; they are flattened out, and turned over almost like 

 a mushroom. Is there any indication of want of velocity in 

 them 1 No : on the contrary, the velocity or action must 

 have been immense, and the reaction of the sand sudden and 

 equal, or the bullet could not have possibly been so wonder- 

 fully altered during the short time which it took to penetrate 

 only one foot. Look at b and e, they show that they 

 were actuated by less velocity, and, consequently, were less 

 altered in shape by the reaction, and therefore penetrated 

 somewhat further. But look, again, at c and /; they 

 penetrated to the greatest depth, but where are the signs of 

 great velocity in them 1 Their appearance is nearly as per- 

 fect as when they left the muzzle of the piece, and, having 



