The bow.

This received its name from its ancient form, which has undergone many alterations before the present form was arrived at.

The greatest improvement in the bow was attained by the Frenchman, Tourte, at the end of the 18th century. His bows possess the greatest elasticity and firmness, and are, in consequence, the most successful. After Tourte, Vuillaume in Paris, John Dodd in England, and L. Bausch in Leipsic, have made the best bows. At present the most celebrated bow makers are Tubbs in London, Knopf in Dresden, and Voirin in Paris. French bows are most in request, although many of them are made in Germany, sent en gros to Paris, stamped there as French, and issued to the world as of Parisian make.