iv. At 2,000 yards infantry presents a thick line, cavalry a

thicker line with a jagged top.

4. In estimating long distances, the time taken in going over them should form a very fair guide. A man should know his own normal pace and the various rates at which his horse walks and trots.

5. Distance can also be judged by sound. The time in seconds between the flash of a gun and hearing the report multiplied by 370 gives the distance (in yards) travelled by the sound approximately: this, however, may be affected by wind and atmosphere.

=243.= _Training in observation._

1. The habit of noting and remembering small signs or details, both at a distance and near at hand, is important. It is closely connected with the two subjects discussed above, and should be gradually introduced while they are being taught.

2. The following is one method of training men in this subject:--

The whole terrain in front is roughly divided into right, centre and left sections.

These again are divided into:--

i. The background. ii. The foreground.

The men are formed up in extended order and allowed to observe the landscape for a few minutes, and then turned about. The instructor then ascertains the number, nature, and distance, of the objects each man has noted in these divisions. Even if only one object is noted in each, it makes six objects noticed, and this is more than the untrained mind usually identifies.

They should learn to classify the objects they see under various headings, as for example:--

Human beings. Animals. Houses, farms, roads, paths, &c. Trees and vegetable growths. Water and rivers. Rocks, hills, &c.

They should also know such facts as that dust raised by cavalry forms a high light cloud; by infantry a lower and denser one; by wheeled vehicles denser still, and broken.

3. Regular instruction of this kind, whether held indoors or in the open, gradually educates men to make an intelligent use of their eyes until an automatic connection is established between the eye and brain, and sight becomes observation.

When the instruction of the men has advanced sufficiently, they may be classified both by a “time test” and a “number of objects” test, which increases the interest.

4. The men who prove themselves most proficient in these exercises should be further instructed in the use of the telescope and field glasses. When ground is available, a military aspect should be given to the training as much as possible. For instance, a number of objects such as dummies, kneeling and lying behind rocks, hats or helmets resting on stones or bushes, horses or dummies standing against a dark background, and dummies’ heads on the sky line may be arranged on some position the distance of which from the selected point of observation will depend on the atmospheric conditions. The class is then taken out by the instructor, the battery telescope on the tripod set up, each man looks through it, identifies as many objects as he can, and writes them down. When a certain amount of proficiency has been attained in this way the tripod should be dispensed with and the men taught to use the telescope kneeling or prone, making use of any improvised rest that may be available.

Practice at locating and identifying moving objects should also be given.

5. Exercises in observation may be carried out during a march or at exercising order. Thus, after going a certain distance each man may be questioned upon, or required to jot down what he has observed of any military importance, _e.g._, rivers, bridges, cross roads, sign posts, villages, provision shops, smithies, post and telegraph offices, haystacks, &c. These occasions also afford the instructor an opportunity of pointing out such objects of interest as the varieties of trees and vegetation, and the habits of animals.

=244.= _Reports and sketches._

(_See also_ F.S. Regs., Part I, Sec. 16.)

1. Officers who may be called upon to carry out reconnaissances should be capable of executing rough maps and also panorama sketches. They should be trained in selecting aiming points, in calculating the necessary deflection from them to various objectives, and in estimating slopes over which guns can fire at given ranges.

They should be able to write a concise report containing only such information as will be of use to the officer for whom it is intended, and which is relevant to the object in view. If an area is being reconnoitred for artillery positions the report should commence with a brief description of the area reconnoitred, the positions available with their special advantages or disadvantages.

The positions recommended to be occupied should then be given and information furnished on such points as the following:--