_Proof of Iron Shells._—After the shells are guaged and examined as to their dimensions and weight, they must be well scraped out, and the iron pin at the bottom of the inside must be driven down or broken off. They are then to be hammered all over, to knock off the scales, and discover flaws, and no hole, in the large shells is allowed, of more than ¾ of an inch deep. An empty fuze is then driven into the fuze hole, and the shell is suspended in a tub of water, in such manner that the shell be covered by the water, but that it does not run into the fuze: in this situation the nose of a pair of bellows is put in at the fuze hole, and several strong puffs given with the bellows; and if no bubbles rise in the water, the shell is concluded to be serviceable. Ordnance condemned as unserviceable for any of the foregoing reasons, are marked as follows: =X D=, or =X S=, or =X W=. The first signifies that they are found to be faulty in their dimensions, by Desagulier’s instrument; the second, by the searcher; and the third, by the water proof. _RATION._—For an officer or soldier. _Complete Ration of the Small Species._ Flour, or bread 1½ lbs. Beef 1 Or Pork ½ Peas ¼ pint. Butter, or cheese 1 oz. Rice 1 oz. When the small species are not issued, 1½ lbs. of flour or bread, with 1½ lbs. of beef, or 10 oz. of pork, forms a complete ration: or 3 lbs. of beef; or 2 lbs. of cheese; or half a pound of rice, forms a complete ration. At sea the ration is different. The following table contains the allowance for six soldiers, or four seamen on board of ship, for each day in the week. Women are provisioned at ½, and children at ¼ of a soldier’s allowance, but receive no rum.