across the breadth of the finger at the moment of release; if the finger lies flat and stretched out along the string, it will likewise strike (1) the string when the arrow is loosed and will wound it. Should it be bent outward to an extreme degree, the draw loses power and the arrow slips from his finger (2) before the shot is completed. In the same way, he must not rest the index finger on the thumb-nail, for the nail will darken; one who leaves the whole nail exposed will indeed have more strength with a stiff bow, yet his release will be slower.

Section
An archer ought not to trim the nails of his right hand; rather, he should let them grow, for if he cuts them off completely the string will press against them during the draw and blood will seep out between nail and flesh.

The plain fact is that every hand has its own grip, every face its own task, every circumstance its proper equipment, and every station its fitting discourse; each person is eased toward that for which he was fashioned and is given help in it.

Section on drawing with the three fingers of the right hand
Some archers keep their three nails (3) hidden so that they cannot be seen, hollowing out their undersides, while others leave them unhollowed. The better of the two practices is that of those who keep the nails concealed (4) until their fingers almost drip with blood because of the force and the hollowing.