period, its system of ignition being so slow and primitive. The utmost the crossbowman could do was to lodge a bolt, often, in foreign countries, a poisoned one,¹ in the head or heart of a deer, bear, or wolf, standing, or passing slowly within about sixty paces ; or else, perhaps, tumble over a crane or heron perched on the top of a tree.

In the time of crossbows, and early handguns, it should be remembered that deer and other animals were tame and easily stalked, and that wildfowl and game-birds were chiefly taken in nets and snares, and with trained hawks.

¹ From the practice of formerly steeping the heads of crossbow bolts in the juice of a poisonous herb the white hellebore is to this day known in parts of the country districts of Spain as ' the crossbowman's plant.'
 
 
 
 
 
 

 The Crossbow   >  Chapter 2   >   Sporting Crossbow    >    p.13