=The Accles Feed= (Fig. 91) consists of a brass drum the distance between whose heads slightly exceeds the length of the cartridge to be used. The inside of the head is grooved in a spiral form ending at the mouth of the drum. The central part of the spiral is removed and replaced by the axis of a set of radial arms which rotate about this axis. The cartridges are inserted through the mouth of the drum into the spirals _with the heads to the rear_. When in use, the drum, _a_, is placed in position, with its mouth, _c_, down and over the grooves in the carrier-block, _d_. Projections, _e_, on the outer edges of the grooves in the block engage in the outer extremities, _f_, of the radial arms, _b_, of the drum so as to cause the latter to rotate when the crank is turned; and the arms, bearing against the cartridges, force them along the spirals towards the opening in the drum, whence they are delivered to the grooves in the carrier-block. [Illustration: FIG. 91.] =The Latest Improved Feed= (Fig. 93) has but a small surface exposed to fire, is cheap, light, and independent of gravity, so that it may be used at any angle. Long strips (Fig. 92) of tin or any cheap flexible metal have tongues, _a_, punched in them, one end of the tongue being left attached to the strip and the other separated. These tongues surround the cartridge and hold it in place on the strip. The small rectangular slots, _b_, are punched completely through, and in these slots fit the rims of the cartridge-cases. [Illustration: FIG. 92.] [Illustration: FIG. 93.] A hopper (_a_, Fig. 93) is hinged to the frame which supports the gun just over the carrier-block, and has in it an opening, _b_, through which the strips, with the cartridges down, are fed. This opening is narrow in front and wide in rear to prevent the cartridge being introduced wrong end to the front. Below the opening, _b_, is a shelf, _c_, so shaped as to guide the cartridges and strips into the opening. Above the shelf is a flat spring, _d_, which presses the cartridges down as they pass through the opening. A wedge, _e_, projects from the opposite side of the hopper, and, acting on each cartridge in turn, forces it out of the strip, the tongues, _a_, bending downward into the recess provided for them. The carrier-block, _f_, is provided with projections which act like the teeth of a wheel upon the cartridges, forcing the strip to the right. When in use, a strip containing cartridges is pushed into the opening, _b_, of the hopper. The crank is rotated and the strip is forced to the right through the hopper. This action brings each cartridge in succession against the point of the wedge, _e_, which forces the cartridge out of its hold on the strip by bending downward the tongues, _a_, and the cartridge is deposited in the groove of the carrier-block, the empty strip passing to the right. =Before Firing the Gun.=--The following points should be attended to: