The fruit is put into a glass jar, or into a tin can, along with some water, and then heated until the jar or can is filled with steam and the air is all forced out; it is then sealed so as to be air-tight, and, in this condition, may be kept for many months.

What becomes of the steam in the jar or can?

As the fruit cools, the steam is condensed to water, and a vacuum is produced, so that the fruit is kept from the air.

What is the plaything which boys call a sucker?

A sucker is a round piece of leather, with a string fastened to its centre.

How is the sucker used?

The leather is made very soft and wet, so that when pressed against a stone or brick, all the air under the leather is forced out; and when the leather is lifted up, the stone or brick is lifted with it, as is represented by [Fig. 14].

Fig. 14.

What keeps the leather against the stone?