274 



MENTAL AND PHYSICAL EXERCISE. 



three fingers, made of stout leather, so that these deli- 

 cate parts should not be exposed to injury. 



The bow being strung, it is grasped, when about to 

 be used, by the left hand, at a little distance from the 

 centre ; well made instruments having a place, or han- 

 dle, for this purpose. 



The arrow is then to be taken in the right hand by 

 Fig. 126.' the middle, and carried under the 



string to the left of the bow, until 

 its head reaches the left hand, the 

 fore finger of which receives it, and 

 the right hand is removed from 

 the middle to the nock : the arrow 

 is next to be drawn down the 

 bow, and the string placed in the 

 nock, with the red feather upper- 

 most ; the fore finger is then with- 

 drawn from the arrow, and pla- 

 ced round the bow in its original 

 place. The body now stands in the position of Fig. 126, 

 with the weapon as there represented. 



" The attitude of shooting, (says the Ladies' Book,) is 

 a matter of much importance : the heels should be a few 

 !27. inches apart, the neck slightly cur- 



ved, so as to bring the head a little 

 downward ; the face, but not the 

 front of the body, is to be turned 

 towards the mark. The left arm 

 must be held out quite straight to 

 the wrist, which should be bent in- 

 wards ; the bow is to be held easy 

 in the hand, and the arrow when 

 drawn should be brought, not to- 

 wards the eye, but the ear." 



" The right hand should begin to 

 ' draw the string, as the left raises the 

 bow : when the arrow is three parts 

 drawn, the aim is to be taken ; in 

 doing this, the pile should appear at the right of the mark ; 

 the arrow is then drawn to its head, and immediately 

 let go." The arrow passes along the root of the thumb 

 and fore finger. Fig. 127 represents a female archer, 

 at the instant of shooting. 



