184 ANCIENT AND MODERN METHODS 



guard similar to that used by the Japanese it is difficult 

 to determine. (Fig. 57.) 



In the Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Bengal, 

 Vol. VII., Part I., p. 258, 1883, is a communication from 

 Major General A. Cunningham, entitled "Relics from 

 Ancient Persia in Gold, Silver, and Copper." These ob- 

 jects were found on the northern bank of the Oxus. Judg- 

 ing from the coins, the author regards the deposit as having 

 been made not later than 180 or 200 years B. C. Among 

 the relics was a stone cylinder, upon which were represented 

 two Persian soldiers capturing two Scythians. The rep- 

 resentations of the hands are too imperfect for one to 

 judge with any precision of the character of the release in- 



tended. The attitude of the hand in every case, however, 

 suggests the Mongolian release. The bow is short, and 

 of a form similar to the Manchu bow of to-day. It is in- 

 teresting to notice that the Scythians are represented as 

 shooting left-handed, and in this connection to recall the 

 advice which Plato gives in regard to archery, — that both 

 hands should be taught to draw the bow, adding that the 

 Scythians draw the bow with either hand. 



In regard to Chinese archery in ancient times, the clas- 

 sics of China abound in allusions to archery, and there 

 can be no doubt that the release as practiced to-day is 

 identical with the release practiced three thousand years 



