38 INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION, 1876. up and varying the range are advantages that cannot be over-estimated, and render a projectile of this nature especially valuable for use in the excitement and heat of action. The chief disadvantage in the employment of percussion-shells arises from the uncertainty due to the nature and formation of the ground on which the shell may graze, and the possibility of its proper action being seriously interfered with or altogether nullified. 2., Bodies of troops cannot with impunity remain stationary, or even move deliberately, in front of rifled guns at any distance under four thousand yards, if the ground be all open, provided the artillery be so posted that they can see for that distance and the atmosphere be clear. Villages or depots of stores would be unsafe at longer ranges. 3. Under favorable circumstances of weather and of open ground, such as it may fairly be assumed an attacking force would have to traverse, it would be impossible without great loss to maintain column formation under the fire of rifled artillery at any distance under four thousand yards. Under these circumstances of weather and ground a well-sustained and concentrated fire of rifled field-artillery would prove most formidable to the advance of troops in any formation. Even against skirmishers well-served time Shrapnel could be used with considerable effect at ranges under two thousand yards. 4. A strong battery of rifled field-artillery can take care of itself, provided its flanks are protected and the ground in its front is moderately open. 5. It is most important that every field-artillery battery should possess the means of ascertaining distances. The instruments used for this purpose should be accurate, simple, and portable. It should, however, be borne in mind that no amount of simplicity or portability will compensate for inaccuracy. An instrument that will not find the range correctly is only in the way. But the possession of a trust worthy means of ascertaining distances should never be allowed to interfere with the practice of judging distance by eye. There will be many occasions where range-finders cannot practically be used at all, and the true method of teaching gunners to lay guns is to constantly and carefully practice them in the art so as to fix it indelibly upon their minds. There can be little doubt that field-artillery has a great future before it, and that when skillfully handled it will produce sur prising results. To all appearance it has now arrived at perfection so far as regards power and mobility; but it is possible that within a few years steam may play a part in field-artillery, and that we shall live to see far heavier and more powerful guns than the present pieces brought into the field by traction-engines.