Howitzers resemble guns in form, but are much shorter and lighter in proportion to their calibre, and are, consequently, fired with less charges of powder; shells and case are fired from them, but not solid shot. ~Use of Howitzers.~ ~Superseded by shell guns.~ These pieces were originally introduced for the purpose of firing shells at low angles, and have constantly been found most useful both in the field and in siege operations during the wars of the last and present centuries. Since, however, the introduction of shell guns their utility has greatly decreased, for the shell gun possesses greater accuracy and range than the howitzer, those being in the present day of greater importance than small weight. ~Artillery from the East.~ The Germans claim the invention of cannon for their countryman, Bartholdus Schwartz, who is said to have discovered it in 1336, but seeing that fire-arms first became prevalent in Europe in those countries which mixed with the Saracens, we are constrained to lean to the opinion that fire-arms were not re-invented in Europe, but introduced from the East. This part of our subject might be much enlarged, but we have merely attempted to give heads of information, which can be pursued by those who desire to do so. We must now leave it, in order to treat upon that more immediately interesting to officers of infantry, viz., the history of portable fire-arms. * * * * * The following extract from an account of the furniture of the ship, called the “Harry Grace de Dieu,” will give a good idea of the state of the ordnance at the time of Henry VIII.:-- _Gonnes of Brasse._ Cannons, Di. cannons, Culveryns, D. culveryns, Sakers, Cannon perers, Fawcons, _Gonnes of Yron._ Port pecys, Slyngs, Di. slyngs, Fowlers, Baessys, Toppe peces, Hayle shotte pecys, Hand gonnes complete. Another account of ancient English ordnance in Queen Elizabeth’s time, mentions the following:-- Bombards, Bombardilles, Cannon royal, Cannon, Cannon serpentine, Bastard cannon, Demi cannon, Cannon petre, Culverin, Basilisk, Demi culverin, Bastard culverin, Sacar, Minion, Faulcon, Falconet, Serpentine, Rabinet. ETYMOLOGIES. CANNON.--From the Latin word _canna_, signifying a tube or cane. HOWITZER.--From the German word _haubitz_, (derived from _haube_, top of a furnace), in French, _obus_, or _obusier_. CARRONADE.--From _Carron Ironworks_, near Stirling, where it was invented in the year 1774. BOMBARD.--From the Greek word _bombos_, or noise. BOMBARDILLE.--A smaller kind of bombards. BASILISK.--The name of a snake. CULVERIN.--From the French _couleuvrine_, from _couleuvre_, a snake. SAKER.--From _Saker_, or _Sacre_, a bird of the falcon species. FALCON.--From the _bird_ of that name. CANNON PERERS.--_Stone-throwers_, from the French word _pierre_, a stone.