GERMANY. 



99 



forming the base of the target, which may be from 4 to 10 

 meters long. The figure or figures composing the target, 

 stiffened by light strips of wood at the back, are fastened to 

 the base piece, regard being had to equalizing the weight on 

 each side of the central pivot. It may be operated from a 

 shelter by means of ropes attached to the ends of the base 

 and led into the shelter. When in position for firing, the tar- 

 get faces the range and it is made to disappear by being 

 revolved on the vertical axis so that the edge of the target is 

 presented to the firing point. Stakes driven into the ground 

 limit the motion to the proper extent. Several targets may 

 be operated simultaneously from one cover (see fig. 18). 



Fig. 18. 



The system has the objection that the figures are on one 

 line. To show guns, caissons, and men in proper perspective 

 a rectangular frame ("2 by If meters) is used. Crosspieces 

 are pivoted to the sides of the frame ; the crossjDieces serve as 

 bases to which the proper figures are fastened. The frame 

 lies on the ground, the crosspieces at right angles to the line 

 of fire, so that the targets face the range. By means of a 

 cord attached to the targets and led back to the shelter over 

 a pulley suitably placed, the figures are made to drop back- 

 ward out of view, or are raised and held up as may be desired 

 (see fig. 19). 



MOVING TARGETS. 



Targets are attached to sleds and moved in the required 

 direction over the surface of the ground by means of wire 

 ropes to which the sleds are fastened. On the larger perma- 

 nent firing grounds machinery operated by steam or other 



