8LTX(; (X)NTPvlVAX(n^:S VCm PK(UK('TTr.K WEAPONS." 



By F. Krat'se. 



hrilizin. 



There is already a rich, though scattered, literature on the subject 

 of sling contrivances for missile weapons, but it is made up mostly of 

 travelers* notes, mentioning these contrivances in certain localities, 

 although there are also some comprehensive works treating them 

 according to type and distribution. A general treatise, however, is 

 still needed from which may be obtained a view of their distribution 

 and varieties throughout the world. 



The missiles are projectiles driven by the lever power of the arm 

 in contradistinction to those like the ax, hannner, sword, knife, and 

 lance, which depend upon the thrusting power of the arm and, with 

 few exce])tions, are intended merely for operation in the immediate 

 vicinity. The most primitive projectiles were the stones and chibs 

 and from the beginning the purpose has been to improve these missiles 

 by giving them greater power of flight and surety of aim. This 

 has been attained by lengthening the arm artificially and strengthen- 

 ing the lever power, from which great distance resulted. This w^as 

 attained for the stone l)y means of the sling, and the club was made 

 more efficacious by changing the form, as with the throwing clubs 

 of the South Africans, the Fijians, and others; in the sickle-shaped 

 missiles, so that they became formidable as a projectile; in the boom- 

 erangs of the Australians, or in the sharpened, thinner shafts for 

 arrow or spear. The arrow, in its turn, could be sent afar through 

 the principle of elasticity in the bow, an instrument encountered in 

 all parts of the world, and Avhich has fiu'ther developed into arbalests 

 and to firearms. Sling contrivances for the spear are found in cer- 

 tain parts of the world depending upon either the lengthening of 

 ihe arm, upon lever power, or that which serves to give the spear & 

 revolution upon its axis. These contrivances were formerly quite 

 widely dispersed, but are now to be found only in certain widely sepa- 

 rated localities. They are divided into two classes: (1) Spear slings, 



1 Condensed translation of " Schleudervorrichtungen fiir Wurfwaflfen " in 

 Internationales Arcliiv fiir Etlnui^raitliic, Leiden. Band XV. Heft IV. I'.tO'J. 

 Colored maps accompany the original work. 



619 



