and management of this weapon and also gives minute directions to the crossbowman concerning how he is to seek and stalk his game, whether boars, stags or wolves, under varying conditions of covert and weather.

I will now give some curious and interesting extracts translated from del Espinar, relating to crossbow-shooting as formerly practised by hunters and foresters in Spain..

' The origin of the name Ballestero or crossbowman.

' The crossbow was much used before the introduction of the arquebus. Those who followed the chase of the larger or smaller game killed with this weapon, and except for rapid firing or when a bird was on the wing it was highly esteemed, and the use of it produced very skilful crossbowmen.

' Now the use of the crossbow has almost ceased, and with it the race of expert crossbowmen, for wings are no longer useful to birds or cunning and speed to animals, for the arquebus makes all easy for the sportsman, and thus everywhere birds and beasts are overtaken by death.

' When one or two of the many attained to the dignity of a finished sportsman, he was called a " Ballestero," that is " a Crossbowman," thus taking the name of the weapon with which he slew his quarry.

' When speaking of those who understand this art, even when they are princes, it is common to say, " the King is a great Crossbowman," hence much honour follows those who practise with the crossbow.

' He who earns the name of Crossbowman must be a general sportsman, as has been already said, for it is not well that he who knows but one of the arts of hunting, whether of one kind or the other, should be so called. Therefore different names are given to other sportsmen who follow the chase, and their names accord with the kind of chase they follow.

' Some are called " Bird-catchers " because they hunt birds with snares and decoys, nets and various kinds of instruments. Others, who are called "hunters," kill large birds, rabbits and hares, with the arquebus and with wire snares.

' Others hunt partridges with a tame decoy bird, and lay snares of cords which they call " perchas." They also hunt by night with a dark lantern, which is used to drive the birds into a net. Some hunt with ferrets and nets and with pointer dogs. All these persons are known as " Hunters."