_Hot Shot._—The powder for firing with hot shot must be in strong flannel cartridges, without any holes, lest some grains should remain in the bore, in putting the cartridge home. Over the powder must be rammed a good dry wad, then a damp one, and then the hot shot; and if the gun lays at a depression, there must be a wad over the shot, which may be rammed home. If the above precautions be attended to, the gun may be pointed after being loaded, without the smallest danger; as it is well known that the shot will grow cold in the gun, without burning more than a few threads of the wads next it. This is not the mode usually taught of loading with hot shot, but is that which was practised during the siege of Gibraltar. Mr. Durtubie proposes putting the shot when heated, into a tin cannister, as an effectual method of preventing accidents. The grates usually made for heating shot will generally make them red hot in ¾ of an hour. _SINES._—See table of _Natural Sines_, at the end of the word _Gunnery_. _SOUND._—The medium velocity of sound is nearly at the rate of a mile, or 5280 feet; in 4⅔ seconds; or a league in 14 seconds; or 13 miles in one minute.—But sea miles are to land miles nearly as 7 to 6: therefore sound moves over a sea mile in 5¾ seconds nearly; or a sea league in 16 seconds. HUTTON. Sound flies 1142 feet in one second. FLAMESTEAD. It is a common observation, that persons in good health have about 75 pulsations at the wrist in a minute, consequently in 75 pulsations sound flies about 13 land miles, or 11¹/₇ sea miles, which is about 1 land mile in 6 pulsations, and 1 sea mile in 7 pulses; or a league in 20 pulses. HUTTON. The velocity of sound does not very much vary, whether it goes with the wind or against it. As sound moves vastly swifter than the wind, the acceleration it can thereby receive can be but inconsiderable; and the chief effect we can perceive from the wind is, that the sound will be carried to a greater distance by it. Sound will be louder in proportion to the condensation of the air. Water is one of the greatest conductors of sound: it can be heard nearly twice as far as on land. HUTTON. _STOPPAGES._—There shall be stopped out of the pay of an artillery soldier, (beer money included,) the sum of 5 shillings and one penny _per_ week, to be applied towards the expense of his mess, (including vegetables, &c.) A sum not exceeding one shilling and six-pence _per_ week shall be retained for necessaries to be accounted for, as usual, monthly. The remainder amounting to 3_s._ 10¾_d._ _per_ week, shall be paid to the soldier, subject to the accustomed deductions for washing, &c. or articles for cleaning his cloaths and appointments. Stoppages for rations for man and horse. See the word _Ration_. _TANGENT._—See the table of natural tangents at the end of the word _Gunnery_.