638 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1910. 



separate at the hinder end (fig. 3), whereas in the present specimen 

 they are reunited at this end, which is solid (fig. 4). This attach- 

 ment of the two limbs at both ends accentuates the tendency of the 

 lower limb to spring back when forced away from the upper, and the 

 release becomes more automatic. When the bow is set the limbs are 

 kept apart with a short stick, which is withdrawn to effect the 

 release. In both examples the bowstring is of twisted bast or root 

 fiber and a " whipping " or " serving " of fine yarn at the center 

 protects it from friction against the stock. Du Chaillu, in describing 

 the use of these crossbows, tells us that either iron-headed arrows or 

 small darts poisoned with vegetable sap are shot from them. The 

 little darts, being extremely light and easily blown away, are held in 

 position in the arrow groove by means of a patch of gum. He tells 

 us that they attain to a considerable range ; that they are effective at 

 15 yards, and that the merest puncture kills immediately. He also 

 speaks of the natives as good marksmen. The iron-headed arrows 

 are about 2 feet long and are used for big-game shooting. In bend- 

 ing the bow, which is very strong, great force is required. The 

 archer sits down, applies both feet to the center of the bow, and pulls 

 the bowstring with all his force till it reaches and is held in the 

 notch. Du Chaillu's illustration depicts the process. Sir Richard 

 Burton also mentions that amongst the Mpongwe the dwarf bolt, 

 ebe, is always poisoned with the boiled root of a wild shrub. He was 

 not impressed with the marksmanship of the Mpongwe and never saw 

 a decent shot made. He adds, " It is believed that a graze is fatal 

 and that the death is exceedingly painful : I doubt both assertions." 

 Comparing these two accounts by Du Chaillu and Burton, and as- 

 suming their accuracy, we may infer that the Ba-Fan were at the 

 time the more skillful archers, and that they employed a more 

 deadly poison that the Mpongwe. This is in keeping with the higher 

 organization and culture of the former tribe, whose dominance 

 amongst the other tribes of the region has been remarkable. 



1 have a note of a crossbow of the usual Fan shape from the Sanga 

 tributary of the Kongo ; but, unfortunately, I have no details regard- 

 ing it. This type appears also in the Kamerun region, in the 

 Yaunde district, 4° N., 12° E.. as may be gathered from a figure in 

 a work upon the German colonies.^ The Yaunde people are be- 

 lieved to be closely related to the Ba-Fan. Sir H. H. Johnston - 

 mentions the use of the crossbow among the Bali (N. Kamerun) and 

 Indiki (Middle Kamerun), and also among the Baya tribes of the 

 Sanga sources. 



iDas iiberseeische Deutschland, 1890, p. 113. See also F. von Luschan, Zelt, f. 

 Ethnol. Verhandl., vol. 24, 1892, p. 209. 



2 George Grenfell and the Kongo, 1908, vol. 2, p. 766. 



