BOND

Bombs, or shells, as they are more frequently called, are of all sizes, from about 18 inches downwards, and are in general thrown from mortars or howitzers; sometimes from cannon. They appear to have been first used as part of the regular materiel of an army about the year 1634, in the wars of the Netherlands. The principal art in throwing shells is to make them fall at or near a given point. For this purpose the distance is calculated, and the charge of powder and elevation of the mortar regulated accordingly. Theoretical rules are of no great use. They must be derived from experiment and practice. [s. 165]