92 



NATURE 



[January 19, 1922 



more probably, those of the water-buffalo, were used 

 for both the bows referred to, and that even these 

 would have required to be reinforced with a powerful 

 "backing " of sinews to render them strong and 

 eflfiicient. Zoological, archaeological, and ethnological 

 evidence was adduced to show that in all probability 

 the Homeric bows were true composite bows, built up 

 with staves of wood and horn, and "backed " with 

 sinews, after the fashion prevailing among the more 

 skilled Asiatic bow-makers of later times. A study 

 of Asiatic and Turkish composite bows showed that 

 in all cases the sinew "backing" was protected by 

 a sheathing of thin bark or leather, which concealed 

 this part of the structure ; while in many instances 

 the horn forming the "ventral " surface was left un- 

 covered and exposed to view. This fact may account 

 for horn alone being referred to by Homer, since only 

 this element in the structure was visible. 



The following facts supported the theory of com- 

 posite, sinew-backed construction : — 



(i) The bows referred to in Greek texts are very 

 frequently described as reflexed {TraXivrova) in the 

 unstrung state. This is a special feature of com- 

 posite bows. 



(2) The extreme curvature imposed upon the bow of 

 Pandarus when fully drawn {KVKXoTepes ro^ov heivev). 



(3) The use of bow-cases {yapvToi) to protect the 

 bows when not in use. 



(4) The shape of many ancient bows as rendered 

 in paintings or sculptures. 



(5) The manner in which bows the shape of which 

 suggests a composite construction were strung, and 

 the fact {Odyssey, XXI.) that considerable knack as 

 well as strength was required for this operation. 



(6) Many bows represented in ancient Greek art 

 exhibit asymmetrical curves, corresponding with 

 Strabo's description of Scythian bows. 



It seemed probable that the ancient Greeks derived 

 a knowledge of the Asiatic composite bows from the 

 Scythians, either directly through Thrace, or in- 

 directly through Persia and Asia Minor, and the state- 

 ment made by Pliny, " Arcum et sagittam Scythen 

 Jovis filium, alii sagittas Persen Persel filium invenisse 

 dicunt," may, probably, be taken as reflecting the 

 actual derivation of the Greek composite bow from 

 the Scythians or the Persians. 



At the conclusion of the lecture the Huxley 

 memorial medal of fhe institute was presented to 

 Mr. Balfour bv the president, Dr. W. H. R. Rivers. 



"■i University and Educational Intelligence. 



Cambridge. — Dr. Haddon, Christ's College, has- 

 been appointed acting curator of the Museum of 

 Archaeology and Ethnology. 



H. F. Holden, St. John's College, has been re- 

 elected to the Benn W. Levy studentship in bio- 

 chemistry. 



The Committee for Geodesy and Geodynamics has 

 reported in favour of the erection and equipment of 

 a two-roomed observation building near the Observa- 

 tory as a first step towards the institution that the 

 committee ultimately aims at to meet the requirements 

 of international geodesy. Further, it is hoped to 

 make provision for study and research in geodesy 

 (including arc measurement, primary triangulation, 

 precise levelling, and gravity determinations), geo- 

 dynamics, and tidal phenomena. An appeal is to be 

 made for assistance from private benefactions as soon 

 as conditions are favourable. 



The Alan Bodey prize of the annual value of loZ., 

 NO. 2725, VOL. 109] 



for an essay in applied mathematics, has been founded 

 at Gonville and Caius College. 



The Lord Mayor of London tenders his thanks 

 to all who responded to his recent appeal for English 

 books for Latvia. The announcement of the shipment 

 to Riga of several thousands of books (forming the 

 first instalment of the New Year gift of 50,000 volumes 

 which the Lord Mayor hopes, with the further help of 

 the public, to get together) has been received with the 

 liveliest satisfaction in the newly founded Baltic State 

 which has decided to adopt English as its second lan- 

 guage and is anxious to assimilate English ideals, 

 particularly in education. Furthei contributions of 

 English books are solicited. Parcels should be ad- 

 dressed (carriage paid if possible) to Sir Alfred T. 

 Davies, c/o the Consul-General for Latvia, 329 High 

 Holborn, London, W.C.i. 



A PROGRAMME of University Extension Lectures for 

 the coming term has been issued by the University 

 of London. Courses of lectures will be delivered at 

 some seventy local centres in different parts of London 

 and its suburbs, and a wide range of subjects is 

 being offered. A few of the courses are of interest 

 to readers of Nature. Dr. W. B. Brierley is giving 

 a course of twelve weekly lectures on " Some Problems 

 in Modern Biology," which commenced on January 9 

 at Gresham College, Basinghall Street, E.C., and six 

 lectures on " Inter-racial Problems of Man " at the Cen- 

 tral Library, Fulham, commencing on February 7; Mr. 

 J. Lionel Tayler is delivering a course of thirteen 

 lectures at the Morley College, Waterloo Road, S.E., 

 on " Heredity : The Scientific Drama of Personal and 

 Social History," which commenced on January 4; and 

 Prof. F. E. Fritch a course of ten lectures on " Nature 

 Study (Plant Life) in the London Area " at the Cen- 

 tral Library, Walthamstow, starting on January 26. 

 Further particulars about the dates and times of the 

 courses available and the fees charged can be ob- 

 tained from the Registrar of the University Extension 

 Board, Universltv of London, South Kensington, 

 S.W.7. 



The results of an interesting inquiry undertaken by 

 Dr. J. Brownlee, director of the statistical department 

 of the Medical Research Council, are published in the 

 Times of January 16. Dr. Brownlee has taken the 

 figures of the census of the British Isles of 191 1 and 

 has estimated from them the number of persons of 

 any given age less than twenty-five years at present 

 living in the British Isles and the numbers which 

 may be expected in coming years if the conditions of 

 hygiene represented by the igio-i? life-table prevail. 

 Taking the age for compulsory education, 5-6 years, 

 the estimated number of children of that age in 192 1 is 

 682,000; in 1922 it is 645,000; in 1923, 568,000; in 

 1924, 573,000; in 1925, 642,000; and in 1926, 772,000. 

 Put into words, the estimates mean that there will be 

 a decrease in the numbers of children of this age 

 until 1923 and afterwards a rapid increase. Taking 

 the next group, children of 7-12 years of age, the 

 numbers living in 1921 are estimated as 2 per cent, 

 less than those living in 191 1, while the estimated 

 population for 1921 between the ages of 12 and 20 

 vears is about 7 per cent.- in excess of that of 191 1. 

 In no case has account been taken of the effects of 

 the war, emigration, etc., on that part of the popula- 

 tion falling within the above groups, but it is con- 

 sidered that no error greater than i per cent, is intro- 

 duced on this account. It will be interesting when the 

 details of the 192 1 census of Great Britain are pub- 

 lished to see to what extent they are in accord with 

 Dr. Brownlee's figures. 



