Chapter XX: Perce Settles with His Partners (2)

In the days of smooth bores and spherical cannon-balls (round
like a base-ball, only larger), eccentricity, or difference
between the position of the center of figure and center of
gravity, or weight, had a very perceptible effect upon range
and accuracy. Placing the projectile in the gun, with the
center of gravity to the right, when the gun was fired, the
projectile or cannon-ball took up a motion of rotation from
left to right, and deviated to the right (Fig. 1); placing it
toward the upper part of the bore, the ball rotated from down
up, and deviated upward, or the range was increased (Fig. 2).

FIG. 2—HORIZONTAL.

C. Center of shot. G. Center of gravity. A. Half ball moving
toward the resisting air. B. Half ball moving away from the
resisting air.]

All bodies free to move will follow the line of least
resistance. The force acting upon the ball (the resultant of
the forward movement, and the opposing resistance of the air)
will be _away_ from that half of the ball moving _toward_ the
resisting air, as the ball, in its effort to take up the line
of least resistance, is pushed away; no part of it is retarded.
This it what a “curve-pitcher” does.

A billiard ball having received a strong “draw,” or backward
rotation, striking another to one side of the center, makes a
very perceptible curve after impact, until the original motion
of translation has been overcome.

All these things were known before curved pitching ever was
spoken of. Curved pitching was discovered accidentally,
although, strange to say, many base-ball players were known
always “to throw crooked,” or with a curve.

Yours truly,

E. B. BARRY, Lieut. U. S. N.

* * * * *

BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Having seen so many articles in your
“Letter-box,” on Mr. Harvey’s excellent story, “How Science Won
the Game,” I thought I would write to you in regard to it.

I have carefully tried the experiments of throwing the ball
so that it would twist in the directions indicated by the
different writers, and so far but one method has been correct
in every particular; namely, the one given by F. C. J. in the
May number.

I wish I had been at the county fair when Arthur Dart’s father
offered ten dollars to any one who would successfully perform
the “three stake proof,” as I am certain that I should have
made that amount by the operation, whether I had been asked to
pitch the “in” or “out” curve, both of which I find equally
easy to accomplish.

The question of why the ball curves after it has left the hand,
I account for as follows: If the “in” curve is to be pitched,
the ball touches the index finger the last thing before
leaving the hand, and, as it does so, the hand is quickly and
forcibly clenched, so that the ball is given a twirling motion.
Therefore it curves to the right (provided it is thrown with
the right hand). In the case of the “out” curve, the ball
touches the thumb the last thing before leaving the hand, and
consequently twists to the left, producing the “out” curve.

The “out” curve is so called because it is a ball thrown to a
right-handed batsman when in position, so that it curves _out_
toward the end of his bat, while the “in” curve is a ball
thrown to a batsman which curves _in_ toward his body.

The following may be safely taken as a rule as to
curve-pitching. If the ball be thrown so it twists the way
shown in Fig. 1, the ball will curve in; but, if it be thrown
so it will twist as indicated by Fig. 2, the ball will curve
out.

Trusting that this explanation is clear and satisfactory, and
hoping to see it in the “Letter-box,” I remain the stanch
friend and admirer of our National Game,

WILL P. SNIKPOH.

* * * * *

FISHKILL, N. Y.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: I have been reading with much interest the
letters concerning the curving of a base-ball, and would now
like to try my hand at offering an explanation. The theory that
I present is not original, being taken from “Wood’s Analytical
Mechanics,” p. 462, but it seems to be the one offering the
best explanation of the actual facts of the case. I will omit
what mathematics there is in it, in order to render it a little
more easily understood.

Suppose a ball is moving toward G, and rotating in the
direction shown by the arrow. Then the two quadrants A and D
will move with equal velocities. B and C will also move with
equal velocities, but B and C will not move as fast as A and D,
because in the case of A and D the velocity due to _rotation_
is to be _added_ to that of _direct forward motion_, and in the
case of B and C it is to be _subtracted_. Now the pressure of
the air on a moving body varies, as some power of the velocity
of the body; that is, the greater the velocity, the greater the
pressure. The quadrant A moves against the air with a certain
velocity, and the total pressure of the air on that quadrant
will be a force, acting toward the center (if we neglect
friction), which may be represented by the arrow at A. The
quadrant B moves against the air with a less velocity than A;
hence the pressure is less. Let it be represented by the arrow
at B. The quadrant C moves _away from_ the air with a velocity
equal to B; hence the pressure on C must be less than that on
B. The quadrant D moves _away from_ the air with a velocity
greater than that of C; hence the pressure on D will be less
than that on C. Evidently now from this arrangement of forces
the resultant force will lie somewhat in the position shown by
the arrow R. This will tend to force the ball away from the
direct line of flight and to curve it as shown by the dotted
line.

Thus we see that it is the _pressure_ of the atmosphere that
curves the ball, and not the friction. The tendency of the
latter is to curve the ball in the opposite direction, but
this tendency is unappreciable. This is where the mistake
of your correspondent in the February number lies; namely,
in considering the friction instead of the pressure. The
explanation of F. C. J. in the May number seems to me more
correct. The theory of “A Curver” in the May number, that a
ball could be curved more easily in a vacuum than in the air,
is entirely wrong. It violates Newton’s first law of motion.
“A body continues in a state of rest or of uniform motion in a
straight line unless acted upon by some external force.” In a
vacuum there would be no external force, and the ball would not
curve at all. Prof. Wood, in the article referred to, proves
that the more slowly a ball is thrown with a given velocity of
rotation the more will it curve. Does any one know how this is
practically? Hoping that I have not taken up too much of your
space,

I am, very sincerely yours,

J. R. S.

* * * * *

BRADY CITY, MCCULLOCH, TEXAS.

DEAR ST. NICHOLAS: Seeing Mr. Stevens’s letter on the
“curve” in your April number, I am tempted to reply to it.
Unfortunately, the data on which his theory is founded are
incorrect. A ball twisting to the left will curve, not to the
right, but to the left.

May I offer another explanation. The facts are that: 1, the
axis of rotation is perpendicular to (or rather the plane of
rotation or twist is parallel to) the plane in which the curve
lies; and, 2, that the curve is in the _same_ direction as the
twist.

When a ball is thrown with sufficient velocity, the air is (as
Mr. Stevens tells us) “compacted in front of the ball.” When
there is little or no twist, the resistance of the air is equal
on both sides of the ball, and there is no curve.

Now, if the wind be blowing across the path of the ball, the
resistance is unequal, and the ball curves away from the wind;
so that in practice allowance is made for this curve when
throwing a ball in a high wind.

When there is no wind, but the ball is thrown with sufficient
velocity to create considerable resistance from the air, and
at the same time is twisted so as to rotate on its axis, then
the resistance offered at a, c (Fig. 1) is greater than that
offered at a, b; for a, c is advancing with the velocity of the
throw _plus_ the velocity of the twist, while a, b is advancing
with the velocity of the throw _minus_ the velocity of the
twist. Consequently a greater resisting force being exerted at
a, c than at a, b, the ball yields and is forced into the curve
B, A′, just as a cross wind would deflect it. The result is
a curve—because the forces are constant while the ball is in
motion.

Again, conceive of the ball B (Fig. 2) as at rest and the wind
acting on a, b in the direction c, a. The angle of incidence
being equal to the angle of deflection, the result will be to
force the ball in the direction c′, a—the same result as is
produced by the wind acting on a sail.

On this theory, the relation of the velocity of the twist to
the velocity of the throw will determine the nature and degree
of the curve, and the point of departure from the straight line.

If the ball be thrown too slowly, there is not sufficient
resistance to affect its course materially. If it is thrown too
swiftly, the velocity of the throw will overcome the tendency
of the twist, and there will be no perceptible curve.

For this reason the ball, when first thrown, will proceed in an
apparently straight line until its initial velocity is so far
diminished as to nearly equal the velocity of rotation, when it
will begin to curve.

Again, the ball would have a tendency to curve in the direction
of rotation were there no resistance from the air. For, in the
plane of rotation the circumference at c moves more rapidly
toward A than at the point b (Fig. 3); hence it has a tendency
to advance over a greater distance than b in a given time,
but is held back by b. This gives centrifugal and centripetal
forces acting from b to c, and a consequent tendency of c to
revolve around b, which, in connection with the motion of both
toward a, would give the curved line a-A′ as the path of the
ball.

As a familiar example, take a child’s wooden hoop and toss
it from you with sufficient upward tendency to overcome
gravity, at the same time causing it to revolve rapidly in a
plane parallel to the horizon, and you will find that it will
describe a curve in the direction of the rotation and fall at
your feet. This is an extreme illustration of this factor of
the base-ball curve; the diameter of the hoop being so much the
greater, of course gives a far greater velocity of rotation in
comparison to that of projection than the smaller diameter of
the base-ball can give.

This same principle is involved in the explanation of the
motion of the boomerang of the Australians and the toy of the
same name.

Yours sincerely,

ROBERT S. DOD.

* * * * *

Our thanks are due to the young friends whose names here follow, for pleasant letters which they have sent us, but which are crowded out of the “Letter-box”:

Arthur E. Clark, Jr., A. G. C., M. M. Stevens, Urbanna Myrover, “Gladys, Gipsy, Sibyl,” Blue Bell, “Hie” and “Tie,” T. A. T., May Elden, Herman N. Steele, “Yum” and “Tum,” Daisy Smith, Phil Riley, Annie M. Porter, Daisy A. C., Lucy E. D., Mable H. W., Amelia N. F., and Annie L. D., Francie Mackenzie, “Maiden Hair and Moonlight,” Mabel F. Rigby, W., I. S. B., E. T. C., Carl W., Isabel Eldridge, Kittie Loper, Aimée and Goldina Mendelson, Herbert A. Megraw, Gerald B. Wadsworth, F. W. L., Amy D. Smith, Imogene Avis, May, David Blair, and May E. Masten.

SIXTY-SIXTH REPORT.]

LOUIS AGASSIZ.

HIS LIFE AND CORRESPONDENCE.[2]

No person capable of appreciating a beautiful record of a consistent and noble life can begin to read Mrs. Agassiz’s book and leave it unfinished; and no one can finish reading it without receiving a fresh baptism of faith, hope, and love.

“The work is written in so captivating a style that the reader seems almost to see Agassiz, the boy, catching the fishes and studying their movements in the old stone tank near the Swiss parsonage where he was born. Sympathy is felt for the youth threatened with blindness, but still so intent upon his chosen pursuits that he studies fossils in a darkened room, using his tongue to feel out the impressions when his fingers are not sensitive enough. Enthusiasm is aroused when the young man exploits his glacial theory, which, opposed by Buckland and other scientists, afterward makes converts of them all.”

I have been deeply impressed by the manifestation of Agassiz’s distinctive traits and peculiar powers, at a very early age. It is this that makes the record of his life so inspiring to young men. When our boys read what a boy of nineteen may be, and may do, they will not be satisfied with lives devoted in large measure to trivial enjoyments; and they will regard as of less consequence the height of their new collars, and the tie of their cravats.

From the time he was born in the little cottage by the Lake of Morat, until he was laid to rest at Mount Auburn, the story of Agassiz’s life is a constant inspiration. Whether Louis Agassiz was right or wrong, we respect the manliness that refused to accept the doctrine of evolution, because his reason was not convinced of its truth.

I can scarcely conceive a greater blessing to this country, restless as it is in its haste for riches, vexed as it is by the clashing of opposing interests, than that the sweet and consecrated spirit of Louis Agassiz should steal into the unquiet breasts of American young men, and fill them with the like self-forgetting devotion to simple truth.

[2] Edited by his wife, Elizabeth Cary Agassiz. With portraits, illustrations, and index. In two volumes, crown, 8vo. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston and New York.

IN MEMORIAM.

It is with deep sorrow that I have to announce the death of one of our most prominent and promising members. William D. Shaw, son of Mr. Thomas Shaw, died at Côte St. Antoine, June 29, aged 19 years. Mr. Shaw was one of those young men who had caught the spirit of Louis Agassiz, and already at his early age he had given promise of a useful life.

He was the leading spirit in founding our Montreal Chapter, which grew, principally under his direction, into one of the largest and strongest on our roll. A member of the B. A. A. S., he was about going to England to take part in the proceedings there. He was a devoted student of natural science, and his collection which he recently gave to the Montreal Chapter was one of the largest private collections in the city.

Mr. Shaw was our Canadian Secretary, and his loss will be deeply felt by many Chapters of our Association.

NOTES.

_Water-spider._ I found a large water-spider under a bridge. I placed it in a bottle and fed it flies. Instead of building a web, it stays on a stick, and jumps at the flies when they come near it.—Alex. E. Wight.

_Electric light and insects._ In four or five evenings, by examining the ground closely near our electric lights, I found specimens of Telea Polyphemus, Actias Luna, Platysamia Cecropia, Callosamia Promethea, and other large moths, including several hawk-moths; also many varieties of beetles.

Hardly any were found outside the shadow around base of pole.—Peter T. Bourne, Sec., Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

_Birds of Fulton Co., Ky._ No bird is given that I have not seen here and fully identified. Nomenclature according to Coue’s Key:

1.—_Turdus migratorius._ American robin. Transient visitant in spring and fall. Abundant. Many killed and eaten here.

2.—_T. Mustelinus._ Wood-thrush. Rare.

3.—_T. fuscescens._ Wilson’s thrush. Transient. Common.

4.—_Mimus polyglottus._ Mocking-bird. Summer resident. Growing scarce. Many young taken for the cage. A young one sells for from 25c. to $1.

5.—_Mimus Carolinensis._ Catbird. Common.

6.—_Sialia sialis._ Bluebird. Resident. More common in winter than in summer.

7.—_Lophophanes bicolor._ Tufted titmouse. Resident.

8.—_Parus atricapillus._ Black-capped titmouse. Abundant in winter.

9.—_Sitta Carolinensis._ Sap-sucker. Abundant in winter.

10.—_Troglodytes domesticits._ House-wren. Abundant in winter.

11.—_Dendræca æstiva._ Summer yellow-bird. Common.

12.—_Pyranga rubra._ Scarlet tanager. Summer resident. Rare.

13.—_Pyranga æstiva._ Summer red-bird. Common.

14.—_Hirundo erythrogastra horreorum._ Barn-swallow. Common summer resident.

15.—_Passerina cyanea._ Indigo bunting. Common summer resident.

16.—_Cardinalis Virginiana._ Cardinal grosbeak. Common.

17.—_Trochilus colubris._ Ruby-throated humming-bird. Common.

18.—_Cathartes aura._ Turkey buzzard. Common resident.

19.—_Zenaidura Carolinensis._ Turtle-dove. Common.

20.—_Anas boscas._ Mallard. Very common.

[_These are only selections from a long and nearly complete list sent by L. O. Pindar. It shows what an observing boy can do._]

_Grasshoppers climbing trees._ Toward evening, I noticed on an apple-tree a very large number of grasshoppers, apparently climbing the tree. It seemed to me that they were going to “roost” for the night.—E. F. Stevens, Chapter 465.

_Ruffed Grouse drumming._ Hearing some one say that the thunder-like noise was made by the grouse’s wings striking upon the log upon which he was sitting, I determined to find out for certain. Since then I have noted four things:

1. The wings are always held half-closed at first; _i. e._, the outer joint half-doubled against the one next it.

2. The wing is first raised and then pushed outward from the body.

3. The wings are not used alternately, but both at once.

4. The wings do not strike the log, but are drawn in by a quick motion against the sides of the bird.—E. L. Stephan, Pine City, Minn.

_Hydrae hunting._ I send you a drawing of a _hydra_ which (natural size) is about half an inch long. I have seen a _hydra fusca_ catch little animals smaller than itself by means of its lasso, and, when they were dead, drop them without eating them.—Alex. Wight, Framingham, Mass.

_A motherly rat._ I found in a nest a mouse, of the common sort, so young that its eyes were not yet open. A friend having a white rat with a litter of young, we put the little fellow among them. The mother rat at once adopted it and took good care of it for two weeks, when it escaped.—Frank H. Foster, Sec. 440.

_Flowers, birds, insects, and worms of Japan._ Before coming to Japan I was told that the flowers here had no perfumes, and the birds no songs.

This certainly was misinformation, as there are both, though not so intense or so various as at home.

The skylark is the most conspicuous of the birds, at least, so far as voice goes, and pours forth as much music as any half dozen of our songsters. No wonder the poets have gone mad over him.

Will some of our English friends tell us whether the skylark sings any in the _fall_ in England?

Very many of the worms and caterpillars that live on the leaves of trees and shrubs—and every tree and bush seems to have one or more of these enemies—have a queer way of spinning themselves a sort of sack or cocoon covered with bits of twigs and leaves. One end of the cocoon is left open, and through this the worm sticks its head and feet, thus carrying its jacket around with it while eating.

The earth-worms are very striking. They all possess much more springing power than any I ever saw at home. Even the small, common kinds will jump entirely off the ground when touched. Some grow to an enormous size. The largest I saw this summer were fully ten inches long and from three-eighths to one-half an inch through when contracted. Some are beautifully striped—in rings—with a prevailing blue color, but changing in the light like variegated silk.—C. M. Cady.

_A robin fights._ While on a tramp, one day, I saw a robin give a cow-bird a sound thrashing.

_A “fish-fly” walks out._ I found, one day, in Wine creek, some queer-shaped larvæ. They looked like large wrigglers. I picked some up and, while looking at them, I saw the back of one split open, and out walked a fish-fly. I thought it would have trouble in getting its tail out, but it didn’t. It just gave a twist and out came the tail.—F. V. Corregan, Oswego, N. Y.

_Strange food for tortoises and mice._ I am very much interested in the attempt to teach habits of scientific observation to the young people of our country, and therefore venture to send you two facts new to me in regard to the feeding habits of animals. Last summer I was passing through a grove, about twenty rods from the Housatonic river, when my attention was attracted by a large turtle (for reasons mentioned below, I think it was a land-tortoise, though I do not know one kind of turtle from another), with its neck stretched out to its utmost extent, busily engaged about something. As I drew near, it pulled in its head with a sharp hiss, and I saw that it was standing near a fungus, or toad-stool, about an inch thick and three inches across (when whole), nearly half of which looked as if it had been nibbled away; and, on looking at the tortoise’s mouth, I saw bits of the toad-stool sticking to it. On mentioning this to my brother (who knows far more about animals than I), he said, “That is queer, for I found a land-tortoise eagerly eating a toad-stool in my woods, this summer.” My brother lives on Long Island.

For many months my sister and I have been puzzled by seeing a mouse in our room, though he had no apparent hiding-place. One window of ours always stands open at the top all summer, and below it is a thick woodbine. One evening in September, I was busily writing by this window, of which the blinds were closed, but the slats open, when I heard a tapping noise, which I thought was insects. Looking up, however, I saw a little mouse, which, on seeing me, disappeared through the slats of the blind. I sat quite still, and in a minute he came back, and, to my astonishment, began catching and eating the small insects which my light had attracted to the window. He was not a field-mouse, but an ordinary house-mouse, and could not have been driven to this diet by extreme hunger, for he was very plump.

Perhaps these habits in mice and turtles may be well known, but, as I never heard of them, I venture to send them to you.

Yours truly,

V. Butler, Stockbridge, Mass.

THE SENSITIVE PLANT OF TEXAS.

This remarkable plant of Texas is one not frequently spoken of by botanists, but nevertheless it is interesting and worthy of a high place among the many beautiful flowers and plants which clothe the boundless plains of Texas during eight months of the year. In its style of growth it somewhat resembles the climbing rose, and is covered with densely grown and flexible thorns about a quarter of an inch long, and turned backward like hooks. Its top (that part above the earth’s surface) dies out when the cold “northers” begin to blow; but early in spring the tender shoots spring up from the old stock. It thrives best among rocks mixed with the yellow alkaline clay common to these regions. Its flower is of the most exquisite and delicate beauty, and its delicious perfume is not to be classed with that of the rose or other sweet-scented domestic flowers. The flower, when blooming, does not burst open after the manner of the rose, but in one night a myriad of little silk-like threads or petals of a deep pink color shoot out from a green ball, much resembling those seen on the sycamore, though much smaller; and, as the king of day peeps smilingly over the distant horizon, it greets him with its delicate beauty and delicious odor. But now we come to the remarkable part of its structure, the leaves. These grow from each side of a stem much in the same manner as those on a walnut tree, but of course not so large, the entire stem rarely exceeding an inch in length. Now draw your finger along this stem, touching the bright green leaves on either side, and what happens? The instant you remove your finger the little leaves close with the uppermost sides tight together, and thus they remain for several hours, as though insulted by such an act of impudence. Even the touch of a stick or a strong wind will close these ill-tempered leaves. If you touch one individual leaf it closes, while the others remain in their natural position.

This plant is also known as the “Indian tracker,” it being said that the Indians, who now roam about over the beautiful plains of the Indian Territory, and even on those of Texas, used to track their enemies and game by observing the condition of leaves on the sensitive plant.

It also grows in Missouri, and, perhaps, in Arkansas, but among the rocky hills and cañons of Texas seems to be at home.—Alfred V. Kern, Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., Texas.

YOUNG WALKING-STICKS.

I will tell you about a walking-stick I caught last summer. It was the largest one I had ever seen, though they are quite numerous in the woods about here. It measured four inches from its head to its tail. While waiting to get a bottle to preserve it in, I kept it in a small pasteboard box, and when I was ready to transfer it to the bottle of alcohol, I found it had laid six eggs. The eggs were about the size of a large pin’s-head, oval in shape, shiny black about four-fifths of their length, the other fifth white. Well, I put the bug in the bottle, and glued the eggs on a piece of stiff paper and put them away in a pasteboard box. The other day I happened to open the box and found that two of the eggs had hatched. The inmate of one was a perfectly formed little walking-stick one-fourth of an inch long, its legs about the thickness of a fine hair, and the same length as its body. The other one was two-thirds outside of its shell, and was of a bright green color.—John H. Kinzie, Riverside, Illinois.

EXCHANGES.

Mounted microscopic objects, mostly vegetal, for others, or for books on the microscope, vegetable histology, etc.—A. E. Warren, Jefferson, O.

Determined botanical specimens, for same. Send lists.—Norman C. Wilson, The Dalles, Oregon, Sec. Ch. 28.

Correspondence solicited.—Ch. 187, Newburyport, Mass. G. A. Noyes, Sec., Box 933.

I shall be glad to send specimens of anything I can get here, to those who will pay the postage, or send pressed flowers in return.—Kittie C. Roberts, 212 W. Peachtree street, Atlanta, Georgia.

A CORRECTION.

We were misinformed by an unscrupulous person regarding our badge-maker, Mr. Hayward. He has not retired from business, but may be addressed as heretofore at 202 Broadway, N. Y.

CHAPTERS, NEW AND REORGANIZED.

_No.
_No._ _Name._ of _Address._
Members._

975 London, Eng. (G) 4 Francis Felix Francillon, 21
Regent’s Park Terrace,
Gloucester gate, London,
N. W.
230 Brazil, Ind. (A) 11 Geo. B. Bennett, Box 169.
28 The Dalles, Oregon (A) 12 Norman C. Wilson, Wasco Co.

DISBANDED.

834 Westfield, Mass. (A) Miss Mary D. Clark.
511 Blackwater, Florida (A) Miss Kittie C. Roberts.

Secretaries of Chapters 701-800 will kindly forward their reports as soon as convenient. All are invited to join the Association.

Address all communications for this department, to

MR. HARLAN H. BALLARD,
Lenox, Mass.

THE RIDDLE-BOX.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN THE SEPTEMBER NUMBER.

CONNECTED PYRAMIDS. Centrals, Pastoral. Cross-words: 1. P. 2. bAa. 3. guSto. 4. MonTero. 5. O. 6. eRa. 7. leAch. 8. galLeon.

CROSS-WORD ENIGMA. Engine.

BURIED QUADRUPEDS. 1. Alpaca. 2. Beaver. 3. Bison. 4. Ermine. 5. Chamois. 6. Genet. 7. Loris. 8. Llama. 9. Lemur. 10. Paco. 11. Paca. 12. Panda. 13. Tapir. 14. Jackal.

DIAMOND. 1. C. 2. Hap. 3. Humor. 4. Cambric. 5. Pored. 6. Rid. 7 C.

CONNECTED SQUARES. I. 1. Leap. 2. Earl. 3. Area. 4. Plan. II. 1. Plan. 2. Line. 3. Ants. 4. Nest. III. 1. Plan. 2. Love. 3. Arts. 4. Nest. IV. 1. Nest. 2. Echo. 3. Show. 4. Town.

DOUBLE ACROSTIC. Primals, Cold wave; finals, Manitoba. Cross-words: 1. ClaM. 2. OlgA. 3. LoaN. 4. DemI. 5. WanT. 6. AltO. 7. VerB. 8. EllA.

TRIANGULAR PRISM. From 1 to 2, Celt; from 1 to 3, chip; from 2 to 5, toupettit; 1 to 4, catechism; 3 to 6, proboscis; 4 to 5, mint; 4 to 6, mass; 5 to 6, trellis.

DOUBLE ZIGZAG. From 1 to 10, Michaelmas; from 11 to 20, roast goose. Cross-words: 1. Macaroni. 2. Bibulous. 3. Peculiar. 4. Cashiers. 5. Gratuity. 6. Deterges. 7. Lampoons, 8. Imporous. 9. Chastise. 10. Pristine.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

Graceful, tossing plume of glowing gold,
Waving lonely on the rocky ledge;
Leaning seaward, lovely to behold,
Clinging to the high cliff’s ragged edge.

_Seaside Goldenrod._

RHYMED WORD-SQUARE. 1. Bacon. 2. Aroma. 3. Coped. 4. Omega. 5. Nadab.

OCTAGON. 1. Hop. 2. Papal. 3. Harelip. 4. Operate. 5. Palaver. 6. Liter. 7. Per.

BEHEADINGS. Thomas Edison. Cross-words: 1. T-hank. 2. H-aunt. 3. O-pens. 4. M-isle. 5. A-skew. 6. S-urge. 7. E-bony. 8. D-rink. 9. I-deal. 10. S-ewer. 11. O-read. 12. N-once.

CROSS-WORD ENIGMA. Husking frolic.

TO OUR PUZZLERS: In sending answers to puzzles, sign only your initials or use a short assumed name; but if you send a complete list of answers, you may sign your full name. Answers should be addressed to ST. NICHOLAS “Riddle-box,” care of THE CENTURY CO., 33 East Seventeenth St., New York City.

ANSWERS TO ALL THE PUZZLES IN THE JULY NUMBER were received, before July 20, from “B. L. Z. Bub, No. 1”—Topsy and Eva—“Betsy and Bob”—Jo and I—Maggie T. Turrill—Shumway Hen and Chickens—Joseph Brobston, Jr.—Mary Ludlow—The Spencers—Little Miss Muffet—Francis W. Islip—Two Cousins—C. and H. Condit—H. and S.—Madge and the Dominie—“Dash”—“Original Puzzle Club”—J. L. A. O. F.

ANSWERS TO PUZZLES IN THE JULY NUMBER were received, before July 20, from Pelham, 1—Reba Neal, 3—C. E. Thompson, 1—Paul Reese, 2—C. R. M., 1—Capt. Bomb, 5—Maud E. Palmer, 8—Mamma and Katie, 1—Capt. Dag, 1—Tripod, 1—“A. D. Onis,” 1—Birdie Koehler, 7—Kittie, Belle, and Bird, 2—R. G. Welson, 1—Yum-Yum, 1—Gum Tree, 3—Bee, 2—R. H. Wedin, 1—Moses, 1—W. L. C., 3—Mush and Milk, 4—J. C. A., 5—Fin, Fur, and Feather, 3—“Me and Be,” 4—A. Maude Doty, 2—E. D. N., 4—“Pards,” 5—Lena B. R. Pierce, 4—“Sophia and Traddles,” 5—C. Furstenberg, 1—W. K. C., 1—J. and M., 3—Aloha, 3—D. B. Shumway, 7—Effie K. Talboys, 5—E. E. P. and A. S. C., 3—“Whiskers,” 1—Mamie R., 8—T. J. S., 4—Nellie and Reggie, 8—A. Hieronymous, 4—“Agricola,” 6—Spa, 1—Mab, 4—M. L. Everett, 8—L. C. B., 8—“Retlaw,” 1—Bat and Ball, 1—F. D., 5—“B. L. Z. Bub, No. 2,” 8—Addie C. Bowles, 1—Mary and Sallie Viles, 7—L. M. B., 8—Lee, 5—Jack Tar, 1.

DECAPITATIONS.

Behead the first word indicated by stars to make the second, the second to make the third, and so on.

The ship rode in an * * * * * * * bay;
Asleep, * * * * * *, the master lay;
A * * * * * and rugged man was he,
And, like the * * * *, at home at sea;
He, like the * * *, swooped on his prey,
Whene’er the * * came his way.
But now, while * the needle kept,
Forgetting all, he lay and slept.

H. L. E.

EASY HALF-SQUARE.

1. An isthmus through which a canal is being cut. 2. Out of a straight line. 3. A girl’s name. 4. A girl’s name. 5. A personal pronoun. 6. In half-square.

ST. ANDREW’S CROSS OF DIAMONDS.

. .
. . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . * . . . . . .
. . . . * * * . . . .
. . * * * * * . .
* * * * * * *
. . * * * * * . .
. . . . * * * . . . .
. . . . . . * . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . .
. .

I. UPPER LEFT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In fashions. 2. A cover. 3. Fastened with cords. 4. Fabrication. 5. To condescend. 6. A title. 7. In fashions.

II. UPPER RIGHT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In fashions. 2. Part of a flower. 3. An artificial water-course. 4. Papal envoys. 5. A coloring substance. 6. A portion. 7. In fashions.

III. CENTRAL DIAMOND: 1. In fashions. 2. To doze. 3. Dating from one’s birth. 4. Constitutions. 5. A city in Italy. 6. A meadow. 7. In fashions.

IV. LOWER LEFT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In fashions. 2. A dance. 3. A public house. 4. Heeds. 5. A kind of nut. 6. Three-fifths of a musical term meaning slowly. 7. In fashions.

V. LOWER RIGHT-HAND DIAMOND: 1. In fashions. 2. To endeavor. 3. Equipped. 4. Poetical comparisons. 5. An affray. 6. A river in Scotland. 7. In fashions.

M. A. S.

CONNECTED WORD-SQUARES.

1 . . .
. * . .
. . * .
. . . *
* . . .
. * . .
. . * .
. . . 2

UPPER SQUARE: 1. A denomination. 2. To resound. 3. The sovereign prince of Tartary. 4. To inter.

LOWER SQUARE: 1. A kind of nail. 2. A lineage. 3. A piece of land. 4. Achievement.

Diagonals, from 1 to 2, a case.

“MYRTLE GREEN.”

UNIFORM REMAINDERS.

All of the words described contain the same number of letters; and the letters of each word, after it has been beheaded and curtailed, may be transposed to spell the same word. In short, the middle letters of each word described are the same, and may be transposed to form the same word.

1. Zealous. 2. Rancor. 3. Membranes that cover the brains. 4. To exchange. 5. To impede. 6. Baskets of wicker-work. 7. Uttered foolishly. 8. Divided. 9. Rush. 10. Pertaining to a Mediterranean island, 11. Looked earnestly. 12. Negotiates.

SIDNEY J.

Each of the small pictures may be described by a word which rhymes with “celebration.” The initial letters of the words to be supplied spell a busy season of the year. The following lines hint at the meaning of each picture:

My first is great ——;
My next a common ——;
My third a thorough ——;
My fourth an under ——;
My fifth an earnest ——;
My sixth a painful ——;
My seventh, rapid ——;
My eighth, a terrible ——;
My ninth, a perfect ——;
My tenth, a foolish ——;
My last, compulsory ——.

“ROB ROY.”

DOUBLE ACROSTICS.

I. My primals spell one who inherits; my finals, a weaver’s machine; primals and finals combined, a personal chattel, which descends by inheritance.

CROSS-WORDS: 1. Pertaining to herbs. 2. An inhabitant of a northern country. 3. A coloring matter. 4. Redemption.

II. My primals and finals each spell a name for the sperm whale.

CROSS-WORDS: 1. A fastening. 2. Like a monkey. 3. Demented. 4. Songs of a certain kind. 5. Singly. 6. Smallest. 7. The emblem of peace. 8. A South American animal.

“EUREKA” AND MAX.

PI.

Three si a tabufile tripis ringbathe wno
Tis wellom chinsers no eth drescutle steer,
Dan, morf a breake lufi fo cresthi syde,
Gourpin wen rylog no eth mutnau dowos,
Nad grippnid ni rawm ghlit eth lardpile uscold.

ANNIE AND A.

NUMERICAL ENIGMA.

I am composed of one hundred and forty letters, and form a stanza by Bryant.

My 101-98-106-115 is a vast number. My 125-22-53 is astern. My 73-107-136-79 is animation. My 45-57-116-4 is to move. My 105-48-127-28 is unmixed. My 100-83-59 is used for illuminating purposes. My 17-63-90 is a nickname for Boston. My 69-34-111-119-13 is a fine city. My 99-134-70-92-49 is to appropriate. My 129-2-122-25-40 is the name of an eminent English naturalist and divine of Selborne. My 35-6-132-65 is the name of a distinguished American poet and artist, born in 1822. My 94-26-32-112-1-8 is a name well known to literature, borne by a man and his wife. My 97-103-31-43-15-18-96-55 is another similar name. My 88-21-138-140 is a famous English humorist and author. My 67-75-61-7-71 is the reputed author of the Iliad. My 113-50-11-102-37-12-91-38-114 is an eminent poet born at Pallas, in Ireland, in 1728. My 47-76-109-86-42 is a celebrated Italian epic poet. My 81-29-23-124-27-20-84 is the inventor of the Kindergarten. My 110-14-126-51-16 is a celebrated Scottish poet. My 117-135-72-3 is “The Bard of Twickenham.” My 78-128-5-68-120-41 is a poet now living. My 130-46-64-36-131-44 is a famous writer of witty verses and essays. My 121-62-30-137-82-89-139-85-118-33 is the best-known American poet. My 58-9-104-66-87 is “The Wizard of the North.” My 108-39-10-24-123-95-56-80-60 is the real name of “Michael Angelo Titmarsh.” My 133-52-93-77-74-19-54 is the real name of “Boz.”

“CORNELIA BLIMBER.”

CUBE.

1 . . . . . . 2
. . . .
. . . .
5 . . . . . . 6 .
. . . .
. . . .
. . . .
. 3 . . . . . . 4
. . . .
. . . .
7 . . . . . . 8

On a pleasant day in August we took one of the many 1 _to_ 2 plying between city and 2 _to_ 4, and with 3 _to_ 4 hearts started on a day’s pleasure trip. Some 5 _to_ 7 pointed out many objects of interest. On landing, we took a stroll and then seated ourselves on some old 1 _to_ 5 to eat a 6 _to_ 8 and to watch the beautiful white 3 _to_ 7 that were 1 _to_ 3 over the water. A few 5 _to_ 6, trying to gain health and 7 _to_ 8 by a plunge in salt water, were thrown into a panic by a mischievous boy who cried out that he saw 2 _to_ 6 close by. The bathers were glad to take refuge on solid 4 _to_ 8.

“KATASHAW.”

PECULIAR ACROSTICS.

All of the words described contain the same number of letters. When rightly guessed and written one below the other, the second and the sixth row of letters will each spell a name given to the last day of October.

1. Military. 2. A small round mass. 3. Smoothly. 4. To treat with tenderness. 5. A company of travelers. 6. Capable of being molded. 7. Ardent. 8. Blooming. 9. Gross. 10. Regards with reverence. 11. To retain. 12. A little ring.

F. S. F.