_Ancient and present names of_ CANNON. Formerly they were distinguished by uncommon names; for in 1503, Louis XII. had 12 brass cannon cast, of an uncommon size, called after the names of the 12 peers of France. The Spanish and Portuguese called them after their saints. The emperor Charles V. when he marched before Tunis, founded the 12 Apostles. At Milan there is a 70 pounder, called the Pimontelle; and one at Bois-le-duc, called the devil. A 60-pounder at Dover castle, called Queen Elizabeth’s Pocket-pistol. An 80-pounder in the tower of London (formerly in Sterling castle) called Mounts-meg. An 80-pounder in the royal arsenal at Berlin, called the Thunderer. An 80-pounder at Malaga, called the Terrible. Two curious 60-pounders in the arsenal at Bremen, called the Messengers of bad news. And lastly an uncommon 70-pounder in the castle of St. Angelo at Rome, made of the nails that fastened the copper plates which covered the ancient Pantheon, with this inscription upon it: _Ex clavis trabalibus porticus Agrippæ._ In the beginning of the 15th century these uncommon names were generally abolished, and the following more universal ones took place, viz. Pounders Cwt. Cannon royal, or carthoun = 48 about 90 Bastard cannon, or ³⁄₄ carthoun = 36 79 ¹⁄₂ carthoun = 24 60 Whole culverins = 18 50 Demy culverins = 9 30 Falcon = 6 25 {lowest sort = 6 13 Saker{ordinary = 5 15 {largest size = 8 18 Basilisk = 48 85 Serpentine = 4 8 Aspik = 2 7 Dragon = 6 12 Syren = 60 81 Falconet = 3, 2, & 1 15, 10, 5. Moyens, which carried a ball of 10 or 12 ounces, &c. Rabinet, which carried a ball of 16 ounces. These curious names of beasts and birds of prey were adopted, on account of their swiftness in motion, or of their cruelty; as the _falconet_, _falcon_, _saker_, and _culverin_, &c. for their swiftness in flying; the _basilisk_, _serpentine_, _aspik_, _dragon_, _syren_, &c. for their cruelty. See the Latin poet Forcastarius. At present _cannon_ or pieces of ordnance take their names from the weight of the ball they discharge: thus a piece that discharges a ball of 24 pounds, is called a 24-pounder; one that carries a ball of 12 pounds, is called a 12-pounder; and so of the rest, divided into the following sorts, viz. Ship-guns, consisting of 42, 32, 24, 18, 12, 9, 6, and 3 pounders. Garrison-guns, of 42, 32, 24, 18, 12, 9, and 6 pounders. Battering-guns, of 24, 18, and 12 pounders. Field-pieces, of 18, 12, 9, 6, 3, 2, 1¹⁄₂, 1, and ¹⁄₂ pounders.