98 



BRITISH FOREST TREES. 



side, having nothing exposed outside of tliis arch, 

 and only a few small holes for ventilators and eyes ; 

 there is no shot in present naval use that v>-ould 

 have much impression upon it. Had such a vessel 

 a great impelling power, and a very strong iron cut- 

 water, or short beak wedge-shaped (in manner of the 

 old Grecian galleys), projecting before the vessel un- 

 der water, well supported ^\ithin by beams radiating 

 back in all du'ections, she might be wrought to spHt 

 and sink a fleet of men-of-war lying becalmed, in a 

 few hoiu-s. This could be done by running successively 

 against each, midships, and on percussion immediate- 

 ly backing the engine, at same time spouting forth 

 missiles, hot water, or sulphmic acid from the bow 

 to obstruct boarding ; but even though the external 

 arch were covered with assailants like a swami of 

 bees, they would be hamiless, or could be easily dis- 

 placed. To prevent combustion by red hot shot, 

 the larch blocks, after drying, might have their pores 

 filled by pressm'e with, alkali. However, the em- 

 ployment of bomb-cannon about to be introduced in 

 naval warfare, thromng explosive shot, regulated 

 with just sufficient force to penetrate without passing 

 through the side of the opposed vessel, mil render any 

 other than metallic defensive cover ineffectual ; but 



