fficulty of forming any estimate of the velocity and force
retained by any particular bullet at the moment of impact, make it
impossible for me to express myself with the confidence which I should
wish.

[Illustration: FIG. 27.--Normal Mauser Bullet]

The second condition which influences the nature and degree of the
deformities depends on the relative tenacity or brittleness peculiar to
the metal employed in the manufacture of the mantles. In the case of the
Lee-Metford this consists of an alloy of 80 parts of nickel with 20 of
copper. The Krag-Joergensen and Mauser are ensheathed in steel plated
with cupro-nickel, and the Guedes has a plain steel envelope coated with
wax.

Both as a result of experience in the field gained from ricochet
bullets, and in the hospitals from bullets which had undergone
deformation within the body, I am under the firm impression that the
thin nickel-plated steel envelope of the Mauser bullet splits more
readily than the thicker and more tenacious cupro-nickel envelope of the
Lee-Metford, that the direction of the ruptures is more purely
longitudinal, and the fissuring itself more extensive and complete.

I append below a series of deformities observed in Mauser bullets, some
of which were collected on the field of battle, but all of which were
familiar to me in bullets removed from the bodies of patients, except
the complete disc shape shown in fig. 29. They correspond with specimens
of which I made sketches at the time of removal from the body, but which
I had not the heart to retain in view of the natural wish of the
patients to keep them as mementoes of their wounds.

[Illustration: FIG. 28.--Four common types of lateral Mauser Ricochet
Bullets.

From left to right: 1. Slipper form; slight broadening and turning of
tip. 2. More pronounced degree of form 1, with laceration of the mantle
opposite the shoulder of the bullet. This is the weakest spot, for two
reasons: the alteration in curve at this position, and the junction of
the thickened point of the mantle with the thinner sides. 3. Lateral
ricochet involving nearly whole length of bullet. Rupture of mantle from
broadening of core opposite shoulder. 4. Similar lateral ricochet with
extensive longitudinal rupture of mantle, the latter being turned out
and forming a cutting 'flange.']

Slight indentations and deviations from strict symmetry of form of such
degree as not seriously to influence the outline and nature of the
apert