A summary of the history, construction and effects in warfare of the projectile-throwing engines of the ancients, with a treatise on the structure, power and management of Turkish and other Oriental bows of mediæval and later times

by Sir Ralph Payne-Gallwey

In this respect the balista differed from the crossbow, which it somewhat resembled, as in a crossbow the bow-string cannot be set free by the trigger at an intermediate point, but only when it is drawn to the lock of the weapon.

It will be seen that the balista derives its power from two arms; each with its separate skein of cord and pair of winches.

These parts of the balista are the same in their action and mechanism as those of the catapult.

[Fig. 14] (Opposite Page).—The Mechanism of the Stock of an Arrow-Throwing Balista.

A. Side view of the stock, with the arrow in the sliding trough before the bow-string is stretched.

B. Surface view of the stock, with the arrow in the sliding trough before the bow-string is stretched.

C. Section of the fore-end of the stock, and of the trough which slides in and along it.

Fig. 14.—The Mechanism of the Stock of an Arrow-throwing Balista.

D. Surface view of the trough, with the trigger and catch for the bow-string.