Fig. 512. of an empty spool (Fig. 512). Then blow through the spool and see the butterfly ascend rapidly to the ceiling and float down again. If you could make several different colored butterflies, you might invite some young friends to help you fill the room with the pretty winged creatures.
Fig. 513.
Take another empty spool and stick a common wire hairpin partially into the hole, bend the hairpin slightly down against the edge of the hole, do the same with three more hair-pins, and you will have a spool with a funnel-like opening of hair-pins at the top (Fig. 513). In the funnel place a small, light-weight ball made of a crushed bit of bright paper wound around with thread. Raise the spool to your lips and blow gently (Fig. 514). The ball will rise and fall in mid-air, in the same way that you have seen one of rubber dance at the top of a small fountain or jet of water.
Fig. 514.
Spools may do duty as
Cannon,
and from them sticks be made to fly quite a distance. Select a large-sized spool, cut the rim off one end, cut two dents, one on each side of the shaved end of the spool, and then tie over this end a piece of black cotton elastic. On each side tack a large button-mould; these serve for wheels and also cover the fastening of the elastic. Paint the cannon black, and it is ready for use. Insert a stick, pull it back with the elastic, and fire; the stick will shoot swiftly through the air.