CANVASS-BACK. 273 



would ride most unpleasantly to the Shooter during the slight- 

 est puff of old Boreas. 



To explain this the more fully, we have caused two points or 

 dots — L, L — to be placed on the model at the head of the Box, 

 to show the position of the ends of the rope to which the 

 anchor is attached, and have defined above the manner in 

 Avhich the cable of the anchor is to be secured to the higlit of 

 this rope. 



The advantages of this arrangement should at once be ob- 

 vious to the greenest landsman ; for the head of the platform, 

 being in a measure free from restraint, is permitted to rise and 

 fall with the swell of the sea, with an easy motion, thus pro- 

 tecting the Shooter from the disagreeable consequences of the 

 waves breaking in over the deck, which would be the inevitable 

 result if the anchor was attached to the extreme end of the 

 platform ; as the head of the Battery, during a heavy blow, 

 would be pulled entirely under water; and the whole machine, 

 even during a comparative calm, would be subjected to a jerk- 

 ins;, disagreeable motion. 



The position of the foot-anchor we have designated by the 

 point M, and requires no further explanation. 



At the bottom of the Box there is a false bottom, or drainage- 

 board, which takes up an inch and a half of the original depth. 

 Notwithstanding this additional loss of space, there is still suf- 

 ficient room remaining of the thirteen and a half inches not 

 only to accommodate, but absolutely to hide below the surface 

 of the platform the Shooter himself, as vv^ell as his sheepskin or 

 buffalo-robe upon which he reposes. 



As to the amount of ballast necessary for a Battery such as 

 we have described, that must be regulated by the state of the 

 wind and waves, and other circumstances; it will vary, how- 

 ever, from fifty to one hundred and fifty pounds, increasing 

 from the lesser to the greater amount in proportion to the vio- 

 lence of the elements. Portions of iron pigs are most con- 

 venient for ballast. 



AVhen these Batteries are intended to be occasionally towed 

 out to their position on the flats, they should be made sharj^ at 

 the stern or bow by the addition of a false cut-water, otherwise 

 18 



