Cross-bows employed formerly as weapons in war, and also to kill animals in the field, (where great nicety of vision was required, to find those sorts of game that kept upon the ground, for the cross-bow was always used at motionless objects), were of somewhat the shape as those of the present day, at least those that now throw what is termed a bolt. The bullet-bows are of modern and much neater construction, and their accuracy, when once set, is astonishing; the splitting a ball upon the edge of a knife, however extraordinary it may sound, is to be performed by a novice, at a distance of from fifteen to twenty yards, and the bow, once regulated, will throw the ball with the same unerring certainty for fifty times successively. _Directions._—When shooting where the trees are lofty, try the bow at fourteen yards upon a level, stopping all the holes in the sight but one; if it shoots too high, raise the bead higher on the fork; if too low, the contrary: should it carry to the right, turn the bead round to the right; if to the left, the contrary. When the ball does not come within the notches of the fork, open another hole in the sight; if it shoots too high, open one lower; if too low, the reverse. Should the spring within the lock happen to fail, take care to place the open part of the new one toward the butt end of the bow; if it be put in the wrong end forward, the bow will be useless. Never keep the bow long in full tension, rather shoot the ball waste. If the string frets or unravels, close up the defective places with bees-wax. Care is necessary to hold the bow steady in charging; if let slip whilst drawing up the string, it will assuredly break the stock, and probably the lath and string at the same time.—_Daniel._ BOWELS, _s._ Intestines, the vessels and organs within the body; the inner parts of anything. The bowels of the dog are very frequently disordered. Dysentery, as an idiopathic affection in dogs, is very rare; but an irritation productive of morbid and inordinate mucous discharge is produced by various causes. A principal one is the consequence of long-continued diarrhæa, which is so common to distemper. Another is the result of bilious inflammation. A third cause is the introduction of poisons. Super-purgation will bring it on, as noticed with enteritis and diarrhæa: the presence of worms will likewise occasion it.—See WORMS. BOWL, _s._ A vessel to hold liquids; the hollow part of anything; a basin; a fountain. A round mass rolled along the ground. BOWL, _v._ To play at bowls; to throw bowls at anything. BOWLER, _s._ He that plays at bowls. BOWLING-GREEN, _s._ A level piece of ground, kept smooth for bowlers. BOWMAN, _s._ An archer. BOWSTRING, _s._ The string by which the bow is kept bent. BOWYER, _s._ An archer; one whose trade is to make bows. BOX, _s._ A tree; the wood of it. A case made of wood, or other matter, to hold any thing.