190 
spin to the arrow ? 51a. Are the arrows notched at the butt 
to.fit the bowstring] 52. Describe the ingredients of any 
poison that may be used, its effects, and the cure employed. 
53. Is the bow drawn to the shoulder or the chest ? is it held 
horizontally or vertically ] are the feet used in shooting ? 
53a. How is the butt of the arrow held by the fingers when 
drawing the bow ] 54. What is the range, accuracy, and 
penetration of these missile weapons ? 54a. Is any guard 
worn to diminish the blow of the bowstring on the left 
hand ? 545. Is any apparatus worn on the right hand to 
draw the bow ? 
{Note .—It appears desirable that some test of accuracy 
should be established. If the natives can be induced to 
shoot at a target, the distance of each shot from the point 
aimed at should be measured, added, and divided by the 
number of shots. The figure of merit obtained by this 
means would enable a comparison to be made with the shoot¬ 
ing of other races conducted under similar conditions. If no 
measure is at hand, tie a knot in a string for each shot, and 
divide the string into as many equal parts as there were shots 
fired. A target composed of grass bands covered with paper 
might be used, not less than 6 feet in diameter. Misses 
should be scored with a deviation of 4 feet; distances, 50, 
100, 150, and 200 paces of 30 inches (LXXII., Statistics).] 
55. Have they any regular system of training to the use of 
weapons % and at what age do they begin ] 56. Are the 
women trained to the use of weapons ? or have they special 
forms ? 57. Are weapons handed down as heirlooms from 
father to son ] 58. Are the same forms of blades used for 
different weapons, as the axe-head, spear-head, sword, &c. ? 
59. Are the points of wooden implements hardened in the 
fire ] 60. Are stones thrown by hand in war ? and if so, 
with what degree of force and accuracy ? 61. Is there auy- 
thing resembling a standard ? and what is its history ? 62. 
Describe the manner in which European blades are hafted by 
the natives % 63. Any use of slings, clubs (straight, curved, 
or mushroom-headed), crossbow, blowpipe, boomerang, holy- 
water sprinklers, knouts, glaives, bills, spears, pikes, gisarms, 
