These are generally battle-axes, spears
cruelly and fantastically jagged, hooked and barbed, and curious
leaf-shaped knives of archaic aspect; some of the latter have
blades broader than they are long, a shape also preserved by the
Mpongwe. The sheaths of fibre or leather are elaborately
decorated, and it is chic for the scabbard to fit so tight that
the weapon cannot be drawn for five minutes; I have seen the same
amongst the Somal. There are some trade-muskets, but the "hot-
mouthed weapon" has not become the national weapon of the Fan.
Bows and arrows are unknown; the Nayin or cross-bow peculiar to
this people, and probably a native invention, not borrowed, as
might be supposed, from Europe, is carried only when hunting or
fighting: a specimen was exhibited in London with the gorillas.
The people are said sometimes to bend it with the foot or feet
like the Tupi Guaranis, the Jivaros, and other South Americans.
Suffice it to remark of this weapon, with which, by the by, I
never saw a decent shot made, that the detente is simple and
ingenious, and that the "Ebe" or dwarf bolt is always poisoned
with the boiled root of a wild shrub.
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