n getting ranges roughly. To
get a range over 5,000 yards one has to use the double base with this
instrument, and ranges may then be found up to 10,000 yards, and, with
practised observers, fairly correctly. At any rate it is most useful
to have something to start on when you get up into position. This
instrument is extremely small and portable and should be supplied to
Naval field batteries, and also a certain proportion to the rifle
companies for land service; it may be carried slung like a small Kodak
camera on one's back. Of course ranges can be very quickly found by
shooting one or two shots to find them out, and this was done by our
guns a good deal, and necessarily so when in action when one has no
time to waste and the objects are moving ones; but I strongly advise
anyone who gets his guns into a position where he is likely to stop,
such as in defence of a camp, or on top of a kopje defending a
railway line, or in position to bombard an enemy's fixed trenches and
lines, at once to find his ranges roughly all round to prominent
objects by the mekometer, as it gives one added confidence and is
invaluable when shooting over the heads of one's own men to cover
their attack, which is often a ticklish job and to be successful must
be continued up to the very last moment it can be, with safety.

This instrument, the mekometer, together with the clinometer, for
setting the gun for elevation independent of the sight arc, and an
ordinary spirit-level to place on gun trail to tell which way the
wheels or carriage of the gun are inclined on uneven ground (so
altering the deflection scale), might in my opinion be supplied to
every Naval field battery, heavy or light.[7]

[Footnote 7: Since writing this opinion I think, perhaps, it
will be well to pause till the results of Professor George
Forbes', F.R.S., experiments with a new stereoscopic
instrument in South Africa are to hand; he is there at
present by request of Lord Kitchener with his new invention.
For full report of this instrument I would refer to Professor
Forbes' paper read at the Society of Arts, December 18th,
1901. It is sufficient now to say that the instrument folds
up to 3 foot 6 inches in length, can be used by one observer
only standing, kneeling, or lying down, has great accuracy
and portability, and has received the support of Sir George
Clarke a