MISCELLANEOUS HINTS, 355 



therefore are hurtful to every portion of the gun thej come in 

 contact with. The filling of the caps with this kind of powder 

 is the principal reason why they can be sold so cheap. The 

 best English caps, and even those of a far inferior make, are 

 filled with fulminating powder made from the action of nitric 

 acid upon mercury. This composition is far more expensive 

 than the other, but is also far superior in many points. In the 

 first place, it does not corrode the fowling-pieces; in the next 

 place, it does not attract moisture like the other, and will explode 

 even after being in the water for several hours. It explodes 

 with more ease but greater force than the other, and is not 

 affected by a damp atmosphere. 



Gold and silver, when exposed to the action of strong acids, 

 will also produce a powerful fulminating powder, but of course 

 would be too expensive for general use, even if that obtained 

 from mercury did not answer. Caps, no matter how good they 

 may be, should be kept free from moisture, for if once wet, or 

 even damp, if not of very superior make, they of course are 

 rendered more or less uncertain in their action. They should 

 fit the nipple exactly, for if they be too small, they will be apt 

 to fly off when the first barrel is discharged, or drop off while 

 carrying the piece; neither will they always explode on the 

 first blow of the hammer if they are not well down upon the 

 pivot. 



Walker's caps are considered the best article imported for 

 general use. They are put up in small round tin boxes, and 

 numbered in accordance with their size. An English author 

 very justly remarks of these particular caps: "I have used 

 several thousands of them, and never found one fail." Such has 

 been our experience, and we recommend them above all others. 



Percussion caps entirely water-proof can also be had. They 

 were introduced several years since ; and, for som.e kinds of 

 shooting, are very necessary and serviceable. These caps are 

 simply protected from the effects of moisture and even water 

 itself by a species of impermeable varnish ; those of superior 

 make can remain in water for many hours without being in 

 the least injured. For Wild Fowl shooting they possess incal- 

 culable advantages over the ordinary cap, and a stock of them 



