THE HIGHFLYER.
In two corks, A and B, insert four wing-feathers from any bird, so as to be slightly inclined, like the sails of a windmill, but in opposite directions to each set. A round shaft is fixed in the cork A, which ends in a sharp point. At the upper part of the cork B is fixed a whalebone bow, having a small pivot-hole in its centre, to receive the point of the shaft. The bow is then to be strung equally on each side to the upper portion of the shaft, and the little machine is completed. Wind up the string by turning the bow, so that the spring of the bow may unwind the corks, with their anterior edges ascending; then place the cork, with the bow attached to it, upon a table, and with a finger pressed on the upper cork, press strongly enough to prevent the string from unwinding, and taking it away suddenly, the instrument will rise to the ceiling.—Dr. Piesse.
Fig. 151.