576 [Assembly 



the middle of his body, the musket must be aimed at his chest; 

 if at a further distance, at the shoulder ; if still further, at the 

 head; and if further still, at the top of his plume, making allow- 

 ances in all these cases for the gravitating tendency of the ball 

 after it has left the musket. But with the rifle ii is different ; 

 the point of aim must be nearer the point to be hit, because the 

 range is greater and the course straighter, but with the balle-a- 

 tige, or minie ball, the angle of sight must be chosen precisely. 



Mr. Perry has invented a breech-loading fire arm which con- 

 sists in the combination of a vibratory charge-holder, working on 

 an arbor in a socket, and moving in a circle ; a magazine or tube 

 in tile breech for fifty percussion caps, a piercing cone in connec- 

 tion with the exploding nipple, which introduces the fire to the 

 centre of the cartridge, producing instant explosion; also a tube 

 forming an adjustable gas joint with the barrel, and so arranged 

 as to be self-cleaning in the joint, which prevents any obstruction 

 by rapid firing, all combined so as to introduce each charge sepa- 

 rately and without breaking the cartridge, a single cap being at 

 the same time placed upon the nipple. The charge- chamber is a 

 little larger than the bore of the barrel, so as to prevent windage, 

 and gives the same advantage as the minie ball does to muzze- 

 loaders. It can also be charged with powder and patch, and no 

 cartridge used or desired, as the breech-chamber is loaded like a 

 common shot-gun. It is said to possess one-third greater pene- 

 trating power, with one- sixth less powder, than any muzzle-load- 

 ing gun. A ball fired from this rifle has penetrated through a 

 target composed of eighteen pine boards, each one inch thick and 

 an inch apart, at a distance of eighty yards. 



Mr. William Palmer has invented a ball, suitable both for 

 small guns and cannon, which he describes as far more deadly 

 and destructive in its effects than any yet in use. He says : " It 

 cuts, wounds, and lacerates in such a manner that it is scarcely 

 possible that any animal or man should live after being struck 

 by it. A ball that would fit a common gun — say five-eighths 

 of an inch in diameter — expands on leaving the barrel to four 

 inches, and the instant it touches anything, cuts in all directions. 

 A cannon ball, on the same principle, would cut a space of at 



