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MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS OF 
thus we find that the base is made of about the same thickness as the walls, 
instead of being made thicker, as in common shell. The shot now, in all 
essential points, resembles the shell; it is, in fact, a small-capacity shell, and 
may be used as one—indeed it is plain that the difference is trifling, as the 
11-in. shell was sealed as a shot, and then converted into a shell by the 
stroke of a pen. The shot now only differ in having a smaller cavity, the 
part towards the head being more solid. This entails a corresponding reduc¬ 
tion in length. 
The heads of all Palliser projectiles are ogival, and are now struck with a 
radius of 1^ calibres; the radius of 1|—which was formerly used with the 
7-in., 8-in., and 9-in.—having been abandoned. 
The change of form of shot from the small-cored shot of early construction 
was determined on after an experiment which showed that the large-cored 
shot penetrated as well at oblique angles as the older form. They were fired 
against plates at an angle of 60°, in comparison with the older form. The 
result was satisfactory; and as not only were there manufacturing advantages, 
but also as the shot thus made could be used as shell, the change has been 
carried out. With the old form fissures were frequently formed in the shot, 
and caused much loss in manufacture. 
In addition to the projectile being made solid towards the head, it is 
necessary to adopt the form which is found most suitable for penetration. 
This has been found to be the same as that which answers best for over¬ 
coming the resistance of the air— i.e., the ogival. 
Yarious shapes were tried—flat-headed, hemispherical, and other forms. 
Yaluable information on this subject will be found in Capt. W. H. Noble's 
report on the penetration of armour plates. The flat or punch-headed form 
was found inferior, especially for penetrating plates with wood backing; as it 
carried the piece of armour punched out in front of it, and this caused extra 
resistance in getting through the wood backing. The hemispherical-headed 
shot shared this defect. The blunt-headed shot were apt to set up; this also, 
perhaps, hindering the penetration. On the other hand, the ogival-headed 
shot did not set up, and in passing through the plate did not punch out a 
piece of metal, but bent it back. Hence the greater power of this form of 
head. Even after passing through many inches of iron there is no alteration of 
form; the point is found to be as sharp as it was before firing. A table in 
Captain Noble's book (p. 17), shows the superiority of the ogival head over 
the hemispherical. A Belgian conical head also gave good results. 
The success of the Palliser projectiles mainly depends on the metal 
employed and the care taken in casting. Many experiments were carried 
out under Colonel Boxer and Mr. Davidson, Manager Boyal Laboratory, 
before the proper metal was arrived at. A great reduction in cost has been 
effected by the employment of cheaper iron, by Colonel Milward, C.B. The 
metal must be hard, and of a peculiar nature of iron, otherwise it would not 
chill properly. It is selected of such a nature that when cast in sand, as in 
the body of the projectile, it is mottled. It would not do to employ white 
iron, though it is intensely hard, and so far suitable, as the shot made from 
it would be far too brittle. 
To understand the importance of using a hard, rigid material, and not a 
soft, yielding one, it must be remembered that, independent of the fact that 
a change of form might, perhaps, cause more mechanical resistance to the 
