Note 8 — Chapter X
Reading edition
"The Kuugla of the Martian outlanders is vaguely similar to the bola of Earth's Polynesian tribesmen, being a length of fine hemp weighted at one extremity with three barbed hooks. When thrown by an expert, the kuugla wraps itself about the body of its victim, the barbs sinking into his flesh while the rope coils itself about his body, stifling any movement.... The traal of the Eros guards is somewhat like the boomerang used by early Australian bushmen, except that it is shaped more like a swastika, each blade being honed to a razor edge. An accomplished "traalul" (or "traal-thrower") can decapitate an enemy at two hundred yards with this weapon ... and make the traal return to his feet for another casting."—Excerpt from: A Survey of Tribal Weapons, Stellar Institute Press, 2208 A.D.—Ed.