SPORTSMEN, FARMERS, &C. 133 



fore, we may safely say, that so long as the 

 ball has progressive, it cannot fail to have 

 lateral motion also ; and that the latter will 

 ever be dependent on the former, because 

 the ratios are of necessity equal. We then 

 consider the spiral grooves of the barrel as of no 

 further utility, xvith rrspect to the generating of 

 the rotatory 7notion, than as an easy and expe- 

 ditious way of giving the ball the requisite inden- 

 tationSf in order that the impulse of the powder, 

 and the re-action of the elastic medium, air, 

 Tnay together produce and continue, through 

 the means of those grooves, the zvhirling motion." 

 Now let us see whether the author's 

 theoretical proposition^ will stand the test of a 

 practical proof This any gentleman m^ay ^^p^^^^^^^^ 

 be convinced of, by trying the following 

 experiment with his rifle : load the rifle, as 

 customary, with powder first; then put a 

 ball on the mouth of the rifle with a greased 

 patch, so that the ball may go down tole- 

 rably tight, and fit well in the grooves, as a 

 ball should do in a rifle~gun. Do not push 

 the ball in above one inch ; and, instead of 

 holding the gun fast, either with one hand 

 and ramming down the ball with the other, 



K 



