end in a test tube that is placed in water as shown. The globe may
be fastened in position by a wire passed through the cork and tied
to a ring stand. If you do not have a ring stand, suspend the
globe by a wire from a hook that is screwed into any convenient
place.

A neat alcohol lamp may be made of an old ink or muscilage bottle.
Insert a wick in a piece of the glass tubing and put this through
a hole bored in a cork and the lamp is ready to burn alcohol or
kerosene. Alcohol is cleaner to use as a fuel. Fill the globe
about two-thirds full of water or other liquid and apply the heat
below as shown. The distilled liquid will collect in the test
tube.
--Contributed by Clarence D. Luther, Ironwood, Mich.

** Old-Time Magic

** Balancing Forks on a Pin Head [427]

Two, three and four common table forks can be made to balance on a
pin head as follows: Procure an empty bottle and insert a cork in
the neck. Stick a pin in the center of this cork so that the end
will be about 1-1/2 in. above the tap. Procure another cork about
1 in. in diameter by 1-3/4 in. long. The forks are now stuck into
the latter cork at equal distances apart, each having the same
angle from the cork. A long needle with a good sharp point is run
through the cork with the forks and 1/2 in. of the needle end
allowed to project through the lower end.

The point of the needle now may be placed on the pin head. The
forks will balance and if given a slight push they will appear to
dance. Different angles of the forks will produce various feats of
balancing.
--Contributed by O. E. Tronnes, Wilmette, Ill.

[Illustration: Balanced Spoons]

** The Buttoned Cord [427]

Cut a piece of heavy paper in the shape shown in Fig. 1 and make
two cuts down the center and a slit as long as the two cuts are
wide at a point about 1 in. below them. A string is put through
the slit, the long cuts and back through the slit and then a

[Illustration: Removing the String]

button is fastened to each end. The small slit should not be so
large as the buttons. The trick is to remove the string. The
solution is quite simple. Fold the paper in the middle and the
part between the long cuts will form a loop. Bend this loop down
and pass it through the small slit. Turn the paper around and it
will appear as shown in Fig. 2. One of the buttons may now be
drawn through and the paper restored to its original shape.

** Experiment with an Incandescent Lamp [42