Head of a work, its front next the enemy, and farthest from the place.
Horn-work, is composed of a front and 2 branches: the front is made into 2 half bastions and a curtain: this work is of the nature of a crown-work, only smaller, and serves for the same purposes. The use of horn-works in general is to take possession of some rising ground advanced from the fortification; the distance of which determine that of the horn-work; and they are placed either before the curtain, or before the bastions, according to circumstances.
Horse-shoe, is a small round or oval work, with a parapet, generally made in a ditch, or in a marsh.
Insult. A work is said to be insulted, when it is attacked suddenly and openly.
Interior side of a fortification, an imaginary line drawn from the centre of one bastion to that of the next, or rather the curtain produced till they meet.
Lodgment, See [Siege].
Loop-holes, are either square, or oblong holes, made in the wall, to fire through with musquets. They are generally 8 or 9 inches long, 6 or 7 inches wide within, and 2 or 3 feet without; so that every man may fire from them direct in front, or oblique to right or left, according to circumstances.
Lunettes in fortification, are works made on both sides of a ravelin: one of their faces is perpendicular to half or ²⁄₃ds of the faces of the ravelin, and the other nearly so to those of the bastion.
There are likewise lunettes, whose faces are drawn perpendicular to those of the ravelin, within ¹⁄₃ part from the saliant angle; whose semi-gorges are only 20 fathoms.
These kind of works make a good defence, and are of no great expence; for as they are so near the ravelin, the communication with it is very easy, and one cannot well be maintained till they are all three taken.