AN EXPLORATION IN THE FAR EAST 363 



pounds, and the larger eight and a quarter as a minimum ; 

 though the addition of haK a pound to the weight of each 

 gives more steadiness and regular shooting. 



The very great improvement thus effected in the shooting 

 of any one who uses an Express rijle, goes a long way to- 

 wards compensating for any loss of smashing power in 

 comparison with the old wide-bored rifles. I unhesita- 

 tingly therefore recommend the adoption of the '450 or 

 •500 Express for all ordinary purposes. If its greater 

 weight be not objected to, the larger is certainly preferable 

 in every other respect ; but very good work can be done 

 with the smaller bore, and the saving of weight is a great 

 advantage for work in the hills. 



For dangerous game, such as tigers, there is nothing 

 better yet available for sportsmen than the large rifle 

 firing the spherical ball, or the explosive shell. This should 

 be at least twelve-gauge, and eleven pounds in weight. 

 The appKcation of breech-loading to these rifles renders 

 it possible also to use a spherical or short conical ball with 

 the same rifle, either of which gives flatter trajectory than 

 the shell, and which are preferred to it by some sportsmen. 

 If the shooting is to be from an elephant I thiak the spherical 

 twelve-bore is amply sufficient. This ball, or the short 

 conical, hardened with one-twelfth part of mercury or tin, 

 with four and a half or five drachms of powder, wiU also 

 form an excellent charge for buffalo or bison shooting. 



All rifles should, by preference, be double-barrelled. 

 To use a single rifle is to sacrifice many chances, while it 

 possesses no advantage whatever over a well-made double. 



The rifles should be fitted in small, handy, sohd leather 

 cases, unencumbered by much apparatus, or by space for 

 cartridges. The latter should be soldered up in tin cases, 

 to hold two hundred and fifty each, and should be carried 

 iinloaded until about to take the field. 



I have added in Appendices some information which 

 may be useful to travellers in the region I have thus 

 attempted to describe. 



