THE ROYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
435 
The following seem to be the principal desiderata, viz.:—■ 
1. Rapidity of fire (which should reach the rate of 300 or 400 
rounds per minute) .* 
2. The mechanism should not be easily put out of order, even if 
the rapidity of fire exceed occasionally the normal standard.* 
3. The mitrailleur, with a considerable number of rounds (say 4000) 
should be capable of draught by two horses.* 
4. The piece should be readily separated, if necessary, from its 
carriage; and be capable of conveyance by hand, should the place be 
inaccessible to horses.* No special tools should be required for this, 
save a powerful screwdriver or hammer. 
5. It should be furnished with automatic apparatus for giving and 
regulating horizontal spread of bullets, at various angles, and be capable 
of easy elevation, throughout a sufficient height.* 
6. The ammunition used should, if possible, be interchangeable 
with that of infantry. 
7. Two men should be capable of performing all the duties of the 
piece when under fire. 
N.B. —It should he particularly noted that with this weapon some sort of range¬ 
finder should be employed, as most strongly recommended by the Committee of 
1870-1, who proposed the adoption of that invented by Captain Nolan, R.A. 
Though it seems advisable that every field gun should be furnished with range¬ 
finders, it is possible to find out by trial shots, from a gun, an approximation to 
the correct range, but not so with mitrailleurs. 
The following table partially shows how far the service machine guns 
of different nations fulfil the above requirements :— 
* These are laid down by the Swedo-Norwegian Committee. 
53 
