For these reasons the bow is equally strained, each of its limbs doing its proper share of work in driving the arrow, an advantage that is very noticeable in flight-shooting, and would probably also be at the target. In the method of loosing used in modern times the bow-string lies across the three middle fingers, its outline, where the arrow is nocked on the string, taking the form of two angles connected by a straight line 2½ to 3 in. in length. With the thumb-ring the bow-string is drawn back to one sharp angle close to the apex of which the nock of the arrow is fitted, so that every part of the string is utilised in driving the arrow. (Fig. 12, p. 114.) The ease with which a strong bow can be drawn with the thumb-ring, and the entire absence of any unpleasant strain on the thumb, is remarkable. This proves how effective the Oriental style of loosing a bow-string was, compared with the one now practised by European archers. The ring was usually of ivory, its edges being round and smooth where they came in contact with the skin of the thumb. A covering of soft leather was sometimes glued all over the sloping outer surface of the projecting lip of the ring. [Page 114] The leather assisted the archer to hold the ring firmly with his forefinger, so that it could not slip under the strain of pulling back the bow-string. The projecting lip of the ring bestowed the leverage which enabled the archer to draw the bow-string of a powerful bow. Thumb-rings of silver or of agate were often permanently worn by Turkish archers of position, both for ornament and for use. These rings were finely polished and frequently inlaid with gold. [Illustration: FIG. 10.] [Illustration: FIG. 11.] [Illustration: FIG. 12. THE TURKISH THUMB-RING AND ITS MANIPULATION.] Fig. 10. The position of the hand when the arrow is first fitted to the bow-string, the latter being hitched behind the lip of the thumb-ring. The nock of the arrow should be close against the lip of the ring, and hence within about an eighth of an inch of the angle formed in the bow-string when it is fully drawn, as shown in fig. 12. Fig. 11. View of the thumb, with the ring, A, in position preparatory to closing the forefinger and thumb. [B. Section of the bow-string as hitched behind the projecting lip of the ring. C. The base of the forefinger, or the part of it which presses tightly over the sloping surface of the lip of the ring, in front of the bow-string, when the bow is being bent.] [Page 115] Fig. 12. The base of the forefinger pressed against the ring, the hand closed, and the bow-string and arrow being drawn back by the thumb-ring. It should be noted that no part of the hand is utilised in holding the ring and in drawing the bow-string, except the thumb and the base of the forefinger.