1871.] British Service Ordnance. 367 



one of the most terribly destructive batteries in the world. 

 After the 13-inch mortars we have two 10-inch and one 

 8-inch mortar. Such, according to the authority we have 

 quoted, is the "story of the guns" at present, and we venture 

 to hope that no other military state could show a list 

 to surpass our actual supply of guns. The battle of Dorking 

 will not be fought this year anyhow. 



To conclude our notice of the sheet in question, we may 

 mention another innovation in the right direction ; this is a 

 short table giving the muzzle velocities calculated from the 

 latest experiments with our rifled breech and muzzle-loading 

 ordnance, from which we may quote one illustrative 

 example. For instance, we learn that the 600-pounder 

 Palliser large capacity shell leaves the muzzle of the 12-inch 

 25-ton gun with a velocity of 1168 feet per second, when the 

 full battering charge of 67 lbs. of the " bnital" R.L.G. 

 powder is fired ; on the other hand, when the milder 

 pebble powder is used, a charge of 85 lbs. can be fired, 

 giving the same projectile a muzzle velocity of 1300 feet per 

 second. The greatest muzzle velocity given is that of the 

 7-inch gun of 6J- tons, the 115 lbs. shell of which is pro- 

 jected by 30 lbs. of pebble powder, with the tremendous 

 velocity of 1525 feet per second. 



It may also be remarked that this year's list contains 

 besides the " Marks on cast-iron ordnance referring to their 

 vents," &c, some additional useful memoranda as to the 

 " Chief points to be remembered in considering whether 

 a given fuze will suit any shell." In these days, when 

 varieties of shell and fuzes are multiplied daily, and when 

 many varied descriptions of each are found in a single bat- 

 tery, these last instructions should be conspicuously placed 

 in every shell-room. 



