FOR THE HIMALAYAS. 55 



course this hollow may be filled with red or other sealing wax if the 

 sportsman wants a bright sight ; but the plain one described has 

 been found excellent against everything, from a black bear to a 

 piece of white paper. How it came to the writer's knowledge was 

 by the silver bead-end falling out from the fore- sight of a rifle he 

 had, and the sight so altered becoming much more distinct under 

 all circumstances. 



Fruits. Jogging along the road a look-out should be kept for 

 wild fruits. The following may be found in many places : Red and 

 white raspberries ; black and red currants ; strawberries ; goose- 

 berries ; rhubarb black cherries, growing in clusters like the flower 

 of the horse-chestnut. From the gooseberries excellent "fool" 

 may be made, but with rhubarb one should be moderate at first, as 

 it acts rather as a purgative on some people. 



Hollows of express bullets generally have a copper tube pressed 

 in tight; it is a fact that nothing is required there. The air 

 becomes compressed by the velocity of the passage of the projec- 

 tile, and blows up the bullet more effectually than the tube on 

 entering an animal. The air inside the tube is of the ordinary 

 atmospheric pressure, or a very little more if the tube fitted tight 

 in the lead during the latter part of its passage into the bullet ; 

 that in the hollow left open must have the pressure of several 

 atmospheres when its velocity is about 1500 to 2000ft. a second. 

 The accuracy of the rifle has been improved, so far as the writer's 

 experience has gone, with both a '450 and '500 Express, by leaving 

 the hollow open. 



Ice has often to be crossed when after ibex, crossing passes, <fec., 

 and is not so formidable as it looks. Small steps are carefully cut 

 by a man in advance, and step by step one can follow him. This 

 is where an axe is so useful, for with an alpenstock the holes are 

 not so well or quickly cut. 



Noises frighten game, but vary in their power. Some will make 

 them start and be on the alert, while others will make them rush 

 headlong down (or up) almost perpendicular rocks. Among the 

 first the report of a gun or rifle comes ; game get puzzled by the 

 echoes, and, until they see the smoke or sportsman, start about 

 restlessly, but do not know from what direction to expect danger. 

 A whistle will make them spring up and listen, but the sound of 

 the human voice, or any movement they can identify with man, 

 will send them off at a gallop. At night round the camp fire the 



