OF ARROW-RELEASE. 



175 



cylindrical shaft. Figs. 38, 39, 40, and 41 are copied 

 from Rosallini. Fig. 38 is probably intended for the pri- 

 mary, Fig. 39 the tertiary probably, and Figs. 40 and 41 

 the Mediterranean form. 



Turning now to the practice of archery among the an- 

 cient Grecians, we sliould expect to tind among tliese peo- 



Fig. 38. Efryptian. 



pie, at least, the most distinct and truthful delineations of 

 the attitude of the hand in shooting. Hansard, in his "Book 

 of Arciiery," p. 428, says of the ancient Greek archers, 

 "Like the moderuTui-ks, Persians, Tartars, and many other 

 Orientals, they drew the bow-string with their thumb, the 

 arrow being retained in i)lace by the forefinger. Many 



Fig. 39. Egyptian. 



sculptures extant in public and private collections, es- 

 pecially those splendid casts from the Island of Egina 

 now in the British Philosophical and Literary Institution, 

 represent several archers drawing the bow-string as I have 

 described." 



A study of a number of ancient Grecian releases as 

 shown in rock sculpture and on decorated vases reveals 

 only one release that might possibly be intended to repre- 

 sent the Mongolian method, and this is shown on a Greek 



