Henri Joseph Paixhans, a French inventor, born in Metz, Jan. 22, 1783, died at his estate of Jouy-aux-Arches, near Metz, Aug. 19, 1854. He was educated at the polytechnic school, entered the artillery, and rose to the rank of general of division. He was a member of the chamber of deputies from 1830 to 1848, and was successively connected with the ministry of war, the committee on artillery, and several commissions of national defence. The guns and projectiles which bear his name were first employed in France in 1824. The guns, which were originally between 9 and 10 ft. long and weighed 75 cwt., were especially adapted for the projection of hollow cylindro-conical shot and shells. In connection with his inventions Gen. Paixhans made numerous useful suggestions to the French government respecting the armament of ships of war or fortresses for the defence of the seacoast. (See Artillery, vol. i., p. 789.) He published Considerations sur l'artillerie (Paris, 1815); Nouvelle force maritime (1822), his most important work; and Force et faiblesse de la France (1830).