20 
H'VLD BEASTS AND THEIR WA VS 
CHAP. 
The difference in the striking energy of a hollow 
bullet from that of a solid projectile is enormous, 
owing to the inequality in weight. The hollow 
bullet wounds mortally, but it does not always kill 
neatly. I have seen very many instances where 
the *500 hollow Express with 5 drams of powder 
has struck an animal well behind the shoulder, 
or sometimes through the shoulder, and notwith¬ 
standing the fatal wound, the beast has galloped 
off as though untouched, for at least a hundred 
yards, before it fell suddenly, and died. 
This is clumsy shooting. The solid bullet of pure 
lead would have killed upon the spot, as the bullet 
would have retained its substance although it altered 
its form, and the shock would have been more severe. 
The hollow bullet exhibits a peculiar result in 2i post¬ 
mortem examination : the lungs may be hopelessly 
torn and ragged, the liver and the heart may be also 
damaged, all by the same projectile, because it has 
been converted into small shot immediately upon 
impact. Frequently a minute hole will be observed 
upon the entrance, and within an inch beneath the 
skin a large aperture will be seen where an explosion 
appears to have taken place by the breaking-up of 
the lead, all of which has splashed into fragments 
scattering in every direction. 
Common sense will suggest that although such a 
bullet will kill, it is not the sort of weapon to stop a 
dangerous animal when in full charge. Weak men 
generally prefer the hollow Express because the rifle 
is lighter and handier than the more formidable 
