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penetration of earth and masonry. 
fences for artillery to deal with, for it is most difficult to tell either 
where they are or what damage is being done to them. 
2m*earth* The general term “earth” includes an almost infinite variety of soils 
implies. and conglomerates, some of which are not nearly as effective as others 
in their resistance to artillery, and the question is further complicated 
by the disposition, slope, &c. of each of these having a different bear¬ 
ing on the effect of projectiles; all this will have to be considered 
in siege warfare. 
Masonry. Masonry does not present so troublesome a problem. It varies of 
course in material, form, &c., but, whatever destroys the harder natures 
is almost sure to be effective against the softer. 
b^thJarth I 11 P as ^ times mere batteriug effect was chiefly sought, and this 
andmasom-y mainly because the fashion in fortification lay in the line of heaping 
up earth on the top of masonry or supporting earth by walls, instead of 
making it take a gentle slope; so that, to make a breach, all that was 
necessary was to break down the masonry, leaving the earth to tumble 
in. This was generally effected, up to quite a recent date, by cutting 
lines with projectiles on the face of the opposing escarp until, losing 
proper support, large blocks fell, followed by the earth they supported. 
Probably such a method needed a far greater aggregate weight of am¬ 
munition to effect a given task, though comparatively light projectiles 
were used, than would be needed to make a similar breach under far more 
difficult conditions now, though the modern projectiles each weigh six 
times as much as of old, and are fired from ten times the range. 
Against mere earth unsupported by masonry shot and shell of small 
size are useless. 
Modem Whether earth or masonry is in question, the latest development 
lSk. f of attack by artillery consists in so placing an aerial mine (for a shell 
is nothing else), that it shall act to the fullest advantage of which it is 
capable ; and in using as large a mine as possible consistent with the 
mobility necessary for attack. 
increase of Simple as this sounds the difficulties which stand in the way are very 
tiveiy to the numerous, and in practice, at present, in performing any given task of 
SfeHfired. destruction, a very large proportion of shell power is wasted. In the 
case of attack, owing to the labour and difficulty of bringing to the 
front large weights of ammunition, it is of the utmost importance to 
diminish the proportion of waste to effective shell. The great aim of 
the artilleryman should be to obtain increased effect relatively to the 
weight of shell fired. For defence, where means of observation are not 
so good, plenty of ammunition is available, and small effect spread over 
a larger area may annoy an attacker and delay him, this maxim may 
not be of such paramount importance. 
Waste in Of course at the commencement of any given task some few rounds 
rangmg. mus t p e wa sted in ranging but, that once effected, a large proportion 
of the shell fired should, with good guns, good ammunition, good appli¬ 
ances, and good officers and men, be effective. 
Wasted Many shell are of course wholly wasted by not striking where re- 
i tl1 quired; these for the purposes of this lecture are left out of the question, 
which must deal chiefly with projectiles which strike the object aimed 
at; but in addition to the shell which fail to strike many which do 
