This month being considered as one of the best for flying kites, we may indulge our young friends with an article on that subject. The principle on which kites are made to ascend by the action of the wind, is too well understood, even by children, to require explanation. We shall merely introduce and describe some fancy models of kites, which are not often seen. The pattern, fig. 1, which is the figure called a star, is very easily made. The frame consists simply of the strips, or rods of light wood; spruce timber, willow twig's—and interlocked, as shown in the cut; so that each rod shall pass alternately over and under the other rods at each intersection. These rods being lashed together at the points, the whole frame is covered with white or yellow paper, and the twine is attached to three of the angles of the star.
The eagle, fig. 2, is but little more difficult; a rod extends from the beak to the tail, and is crossed by another which extends from tip to tip of the wings. The rods being lashed together, a small thread is drawn from the place of the head of the eagle, to the two extremities of the wings, and thence to the leeward end of the centre rod. This thread should be white or light blue, and will not be visible when aloft; but the form of the eagle should be made of black, dark or brown paper. The paper eagle must be sewed to the several threads, and two or more threads may extend from the wings to the centre rod to support the feathers of the wings. The eagle kite appears curious, but is not so elegant as
The Rose, fig. 3. To construct this figure there must be four light rods of wood, made to cross each other in the centre, being there lashed together, and thus constituting eight arms. From the end of each arm, a thin strip of light wood or reed, is bent in a curved form to the next arm on either side: the bow being lashed to the arms. This frame is covered with white paper, which is to be afterward colored with rose color, with the yellow centre. The twine must be fastened to four of the arms, and the tail of the kite should be covered with green paper, which by the contrast, will have a pleasing effect.
Rochester Edge Tools in England.
Some time since, a Mr. Ash, an extensive manufacturer of Mechanics' Tools at Sheffield, England, sent to this country for patterns of the latest improvements, and amongst the rest, ordered a variety from Messrs. Barton & Belden of Rochester, which were promptly forwarded. On their arrival there, it seems that their make gave such universal satisfaction, that they were immediately copied, and the fact that they came from this country made prominent, by stamping upon them 'Rochester Pattern.'
An Animal Curiosity.
Travellers state that there is on the island of St. Luce a cavern, in which is a large basin twelve or fifteen feet deep, at the bottom of which are rocks. From these rocks proceed certain substances that present at first, sight beautiful flowers, but on the approach of a hand or instrument, retire like a snail, out of sight! On examination, there appears in the middle of a disk, filaments resembling spiders' legs, which moved briskly round a kind of petal. The filaments, or legs, have pincers to seize their prey, when the petals close, so that it cannot escape. Under this flower is the body of an animal, and it is probable he lives on the marine insects thrown by the sea into his basin.
The first clock that ever measured time was made for the Caliph of Bagdad. This art was afterwards lost for several centuries.