The composer claims that there are at least 160 combinations of 5 cells in which these fractions add up to unity, including, of course, the usual rows, columns, and diagonals.
15
Two brothers wisely kept apart,
Together ne’er employed;
Though to one purpose we are bent
Each takes a different side.
We travel much, yet prisoners are,
And close confined to boot,
Can with the fleetest horse keep pace,
Yet always go on foot.
No. XXVI.—A MAGIC OBLONG
On similar lines to Magic Squares, but as a distinct variety, we give below a specimen of a Magic Oblong.
| 1 | 10 | 11 | 29 | 28 | 19 | 18 | 16 |
| 9 | 2 | 30 | 12 | 20 | 27 | 7 | 25 |
| 24 | 31 | 3 | 21 | 13 | 6 | 26 | 8 |
| 32 | 23 | 22 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 15 | 17 |
The four rows of this Oblong add up in each case to 132, and its eight columns to 66. Two of its diagonals, from 10 to 5 and from 28 to 23, also total 66, as do the four squares at the right-hand ends of the top and bottom double rows.