the Force ofjired Gunpowder. 229 
jected 1.3 inch beyond the external surface of the barrel, 
was closed at its projecting end, or rather it was not bored 
quite through its whole length, ^ of an inch of solid metal 
being left at its end, which was rounded off in the form of a 
blunt point. The longer tube, which projected 2.7 inches 
beyond the surface of the barrel on the other side, and which 
served for introducing the powder into the chamber, was 
open ; but it could occasionally be closed by a strong screw, 
furnished with a collar of oiled leather, which was provided 
for that purpose. The method of making use of this instru- 
ment was as follows. The barrel being laid down, or held, 
in a horizontal position, with the long tube upwards, the 
charge, which was of the very best fine-grained glazed powder, 
was poured through this tube into the chamber. In doing 
this, care must be taken that the cavity of the short tube be 
completely filled with powder, and this can best be done by 
pouring in only a small quantity of powder at first, and then, 
by striking the barrel with a hammer, cause the powder to de- 
scend into the short tube. When, by introducing a priming- 
wire through the long tube, it is found that the short tube is 
full, it ought to be gently pressed together, or rammed down, 
by means of the priming-wire, in order to prevent its falling 
back into the chamber upon moving the barrel out of the 
horizontal position. The short tube being properly filled, the 
rest of the charge may be introduced into the chamber, and 
the end of the long tube closed up by its screw. 
More effectually to prevent the elastic fluid generated in the 
combustion of the charge from finding a passage to escape 
by this opening, after the charge was introduced into the 
Hh 2 
