ETYMOLOGIES.
Cannon.—From the Latin word canna, signifying a tube or cane.
Howitzer.—From the German word haubitz, (derived from haube, top of a furnace), in French, obus, or obusier.
Carronade.—From Carron Ironworks, near Stirling, where it was invented in the year 1774.
Bombard.—From the Greek word bombos, or noise.
Bombardille.—A smaller kind of bombards.
Basilisk.—The name of a snake.
Culverin.—From the French couleuvrine, from couleuvre, a snake.
Saker.—From Saker, or Sacre, a bird of the falcon species.
Falcon.—From the bird of that name.
Cannon Perers.—Stone-throwers, from the French word pierre, a stone.
Toppe Peces.—To be used in the tops, i.e., the stands on the ship’s masts.
Note.—The History of Artillery is mainly compiled from the following:—“Engines of War,” by Wilkinson; “Ancient Armour and Weapons in Europe,” by John Hewitt; “Military Antiquities,” by F. Grose; “Critical Inquiry into Ancient Armour,” by Meyrick; “Elementary Lectures on Artillery,” by Major C. H. Owen and Capt. T. L. Dames, R.A.; and “Our Engines of War,” by Capt. Jarvis, M.P., Royal Artillery.