Gabion

Cylindrical open basket, ab. 24 ft. high and 2 ft. wide, formed by a wattling of withes or of hoop-iron, sufficiently close to hold earth. The wattling stakes are sharpened to plant the gabion at the proper inclination. It is used by sappers in constructing the parallels and approaches during siege operations, and for revetting the steep slopes of traverses, gun embrasures and earthworks.