156 ANCIENT AND MODERN METHODS 



Mediterranean release, as we shall soon see, was probably 

 the usual form in the Middle Ages. Among the many 

 curious matters of interest concerning archery, which may 

 be found in Hansard's book, is the description of a quaint 

 black-letter volume which the author dug out in the Royal 

 Library of Paris. This volume was written at the close 

 of the thirteenth or beginning of the fourteenth century. 

 It is entitled "The Book of King Modus," and is a treatise" 

 on the use of the bow in hunting. Among other matters 

 is a chapter of " Instructions in the Art of Archery ;" and 

 in regard to the release, it says that "you draw the arrow 

 with three fingers, holding the nock between the forefinger 

 and the next thereto." 



Associated with this release is the necessity of placing 

 the arrow on the left of the bow held vertically. This 

 position is necessitated by the fact, that as the string is 

 pulled back the friction of the fingers which clutch the 

 arrow tends to swing the arrow to the right ; at the same 

 time the friction of the fingers on the string causes the 

 string to rotate somewhat to the right, and this tends to 

 displace the arrow. 



In a release of this nature, the arrow must be to the left 

 of the bow vertical ; and carved figures, manuscript draw- 

 ings, and sculpture, in which the arrow is represented 

 otherwise in connection with the Mediterranean release, 

 must be incorrect. This release is unquestionably an 

 Advance on the others thus far described, as it enables 

 the drawing of a stiffer bow, and is exceedingly delicate 

 and smooth at the instant of loosing the arrow. 



Mr. John Murdock, who accompanied the United 

 States Signal Survey Expedition to the northwest coast 

 of Alaska, has kindly furnished me the information that 

 the Eskimo of Point Barrow practice the Mediterranean 

 release, using, however, only the first and second fingers 

 in drawing the string. I am also indebted to Mr. Mur- 



