Air-Gun

a contrivance whereby a missile is thrown by means of condensed air. The simplest air-gun is a joint of bamboo or other straight, hollow reed with a smooth interior. The natives of various parts of the world use air-guns of this description to shoot, or at least stun, birds. The missile may be a pellet or an arrow so constructed as to fit the tube. In either case it is propelled by the hunter's breath. Before the introduction of fire-arms these blow-guns were quite extensively used in the forests of the Amazon, of Africa, and India. As now understood, however, an air-gun is shaped like a shotgun. The barrel is connected with a reservoir into which air is forced with a plunger or condensing air-pump. When the trigger is pulled, the condensed air is released, and the ball or bullet is projected with great force.