105 



happy years. I anticipate great additional interest to the walks, or rides, 

 or drives which I may happen to take, by having it in my power to 

 learn more of those objects of antique association, or of historic record, 

 by which the capital and its delightful environs are so copiously studded. 

 I only feel warranted in saying, further, that the pleasure with which I 

 find myself amongst the members of this dignified Society is greatly 

 enhanced on this occasion by our being met under the presidency of the 

 Very Rev. Dean, in whom, besides his special adaptation for the imme- 

 diate studies and pursuits which belong to this Institution, I have found, 

 by competent experience, as complete a proficiency in all the branches 

 of polished learning, in all the amenities of social intercourse, in true 

 kindness and liberality of judgment, and in the benevolence and con- 

 sistency of the whole Christian character. I beg to conclude by moving 

 that the Addresses to which we have listened to-night maybe printed. 



The Eev. Samuel Haughton, M. A., F. R. S., Fellow of Trinity Col- 

 lege, Dublin, read the following paper : — 



accottnt of experiments to deteemine the velocities of elfle 

 Bullets commonly used. 



The following experiments were made for the purpose of ascertaining 

 the reason of the alleged inferiority of the belted spherical bullet, used 

 with the two-grooved rifle, as compared with elongated bullets of dif- 

 ferent kinds. The guns compared are the following : — 



1. A two-grooved rifle, — length, 31*50 inches ; diameter, 0-66 inch ; 

 one tarn in 4 feet. 



2. The regulation Minie rifle, — ^length, 39 inches ; diameter, 0-69 

 inch. 



3. Police carbine, — ^length, 28*75 inches; diameter, 0*66 inch. 



"With these guns were used the following bullets : — 



Two- grooved Rifle. — 1. A Minie bullet, provided with two projec- 

 tions corresponding to the grooves of the rifle, without ' culots,' weight 

 697 grs. ; 2. A sugarloaf bullet, fired point foremost, weight 669*75 grs. ; 

 3. A belted spherical bullet, weight 482 grs. 



Minie Rifle. — The Regulation Minie bullet, with ' culot,' weight 744 



grs. 



Carbine. — Spherical bullet, weight 391 grs. 



The method employed to determine the velocity of the bullets was 

 Robins' ballistic pendulum; and the same quantity of the best gun- 

 powder (40 grs.) was employed with each gun and bullet. 



For the erection of the pendulum, and most efficient assistance af- 

 forded in the conduct of the experiments,.! am indebted to Mr. Joseph 

 Harris, of the firm of Trulock and Son, Dawson-street, Dublin, with- 

 out whose aid I should have been unable to bring these experiments to 

 a successful issue. 



R. I. A. PEOC. VOL. VII. 



p 



