Miscellanea Curiosa.

hit an Object above or below the Horizontal Line with the greatest Certainty and least Force. That is, that the Horizontal distance of the Object being put = b, and the Perpendicular Heighth = b, the Charge requisite to strike the Object with the greatest Advantage, was that which with an Elevation of 45° would cast the Shot on the Horizontal Line, to the distance of √‍ bb +hh , when the Object was above the Horizon; or if it were below it, the Charge must be lesser, so as to reach on the Horizon, at 45° Elevation, no greater a Distance than √‍ bb + hh - h; that is, in the one Case, the Sum of the Hypothenusal Distance of the Object from the Gun, and the Perpendicular Heighth thereof above the Gun; and in the other Case, when the Object is below the Horizon, the difference of the same per 47. I Eucl. And I then shew'd how to find the Elevation proper for the Gun so charged, viz. As the Horizontal Distance of the Object, to the Sum or Difference of the Hypothenusal Distance and Perpendicular Height: So Radius to the Tangent of the Elevation sought. But I was not at that time aware that the aforesaid Elevation did constantly bisect the Angle between the Perpendicular and the Object, as is demonstrated from the Difference and Sum of the Tangent and Secant of any Arch being always equal to the Tangent and Cotangent* of the half Complement thereof to a Quadrant. Having discovered this, I think nothing can be more compendious, or bids fairer to compleat the Art of Gunnery, it being as easie to shoot with a Mortar at any Object on demand, as if it were on the Level; neither is there need of any Computation, but only simply laying the Gun to pass, in the middle Line between the Zenith and the Object, and giving it its due Charge. Nor is there any great need of Instruments for this purpose: For if the Muzzle