PLATFORM, in the military art, an elevation of earth, on which cannon is placed, to fire on the enemy; such are the mounts in the middle of curtains. On the ramparts there is always a platform, where the cannon are mounted. It is made by the heaping up of earth on the rampart, or by an arrangement of madders, rising insensibly, for the cannon to roll on, either in a casemate, or on attack in the outworks. All prac-
Platform, practitioners are agreed, that no shot can be depended on, unless the piece can be placed on a solid platform; for if the platform shakes with the first impulse of the powder, the piece must likewise shake, which will alter its directions and render the shot uncertain.