CHINESE CROSS-BOW- 365 



Another good example of the power of accumulated force, 

 although it has no direct relation to the spring, is the well- 

 known fact that fungi, which are separately so fragile, are 

 capable of lifting and retaining in the air stones so large that 

 two men could hardly carry them. Were the stones laid down 

 upon the fungi, the latter would be crushed, but, as they grow 

 beneath the stones, they accumulate their powers, and slowly, 

 but certainly, raise the weight from the ground. 



This very principle of accumulated force has long been used 

 in weapons of war, and I possess several examples of such 

 weapons. One of them is a Chinese repeating Cross-bow, which 

 was taken at the capture of the Peiho Fort, and was really a 

 formidable wall-instrument, carrying a reserve of arrows, and 



JAWS OF CROCODILE. CHINESE CROSS-BOW. 



delivering them with great rapidity. In point of fact, it 

 consists of three bows, placed upon each other, and playing 

 upon each other just as do the portions of a carriage spring. 

 Such strength is thus obtained, that the bow cannot be drawn 

 by hand, but is worked with a lever, as shown in the illustration. 

 The whole machinery of the weapon, including the self-notch- 

 ing and self- supplying system, is very interesting, but is outside 

 our present object. The very powerful bow of the ancient 

 Balista was made on the same principle, and was strong enough 

 to throw large stones and wooden beams. 



I also have bows in my collection which are strengthened on 

 the same principle, though not exactly in the same manner. 

 There are several Indian, Chinese, and Japanese bows which 

 are curved almost like the letter C, and have to be reversed 

 when strung. These bows are of no very great size, but 

 possess wonderful elasticity. They owe the latter quality to 



