318 Sir Ralph Pmjne-GaUwey, Bart., [May 29, 



length, that tapers into a handle at one end. One surface of the 

 strip of wood has a longitudinal groove in it, and in this groove part of 

 the shaft of the spear, for a foot or so of its butt end, is rested. 



When about to cast the spear, the user fits its shaft into the 

 groove and holds spear and throAving-stick horizontally above his 

 shoulder in one hand. 



Ke then jerks the throwing-stick violently forward. The shaft of 

 the spear rises from the groove, and the end of the throwing-stick 

 farthest from its handle presses against the butt of the spear and 

 propels it forward. 



The theory and practice of the throwing-stick is as if the user had 

 a long extra joint to his arm to utilise when casting his spear. 



Though the throwing-stick adds a considerable increase of range 

 and force, it cannot compare in these respects with the system of the 

 thong T have described. It is, however, quicker in action, and easier 

 to use. 



SlinPtS. 



I will briefly allude to Slings. There is no doubt that in ancient 

 days, slingers formed a part of all armies, whether Greek, Eoman 

 or' Oriental, and were always useful when they had a chance of 

 slinging stones at men in close rank. I do not believe that slingers 

 were ever able to strike a single mark at a distance with any certainty, 

 whether man, beast or bird. I consider that the historic stories of 

 the accuracy of slingers are mythical. For instance, the seven 

 hundred slingers mentioned in " Judges," all, curious to say, left- 

 handed, who could sling stones at a hair's breadth and never miss, or 

 the Ach^eans, who slung in such deadly fashion that they were able 

 to strike any feature of the human face that they aimed at. 



Speaking personally, I am of opinion that a sling is, of all others, 

 the most difficult and unreliable weapon to use. 



With an unusual aptitude in the art of throwing projectiles of all 

 descriptions, I, for many years, practised assiduously with the sling, 

 and when casting stones at rooks in a tree, it was a mere chance 

 that the stone from my sling went near the tree, much less its 

 occupants, though onlookers, to one side or the other, and even 

 behind me, were always in danger. 



There were two kinds of slings, the one with a shallow pocket for 

 the stone and cords or thongs attached to the pocket, the other with 

 a strip of leather fastened to the end of a staff. Both kinds are 

 commonly shown in ancient sculptures, and it is likely the staff sling 

 was the more reliable of the two varieties. The sling of dried grass 

 is also shown, precisely as it is made now by shepherds in Palestine, 

 who to this day use it as a form of amusement, as well as a means of 

 keeping prowling dogs at a distance from their herds. 



If we can beheve ancient military historians, the cracking of the 



