Put an orange, apple, or other tempting object fifteen inches from the wall, and present it to any one who can pick it up while standing against the wall, or rather while keeping his legs against it. Or, again, challenge whoever has been distinguishing himself in agility to keep upright on the inner leg while sidewise against a wall.
Then—as probably you will be asked to perform some feat yourself after having thus set impossible tasks to others—put a cork in a bottle. Drive a large pin into it horizontally, and, having previously stuck two steel forks opposite each other in a second cork, with their handles inclining downwards, and run the head of a needle into the bottom of this cork, set the needle point on the pin’s head, when the forkified cork will be delicately balanced, and may even be turned round without falling.
THE ANGULAR PUZZLE.
Cut a piece of cardboard into the form of, and of equal proportions to, the figure given here, after which, produce, with the same, three successive pyramidal or angular boxes, alternately bearing the respective numbers of 7, 6, and 5 corners, still keeping the cardboard in one piece. After cutting the card half through at the dotted lines, so that it will bend more squarely, bring the ends of 1—2 and 3—4 together; bend the whole in the middle at 5—6: fold 1—2 and 3—4 over one another, and the six-cornered box is formed. By again placing the angular sections inwards, the box will be finished. If larger, gum the parts as you fold them, and a curious box will be the result; if covered with Dutch metal so as to conceal all the seams, it may be a puzzle-box indeed.
Fig. 99.
THE POSTS AND PADDOCK PUZZLES.
I have a paddock found, which is neither square nor round,
But an octagon; and this I have laid out