Flowers by Fumes of Sulphur [288]

Dissolve some sulphur in a small dish which will inflame by
contact with air thus forming sulphuric acid fumes. Cover the dish
with a conical chimney made of tin and expose to the upper opening
the flowers that are to be decolored. The action is very rapid and
in a short time myrtle, violets, bell flowers, roses, etc., will
be rendered perfectly white.

[Illustration: Flowers]

** How to Preserve Egg Shells [288]

Many naturalists experience difficulty in preserving valuable egg
shells. One of the most effective ways of preserving them is as
follows: After the egg is blown, melt common beeswax and force it
into the shell with a discarded fountain pen filler. Set in a cool
place until the wax hardens. The most delicate shells treated in
this manner can be handled without fear of breaking, and the
transparency of the wax will not alter the color, shading, or
delicate tints of the egg.
--Contributed by L. L. Shabino, Millstown, South Dakota.

** Homemade Phonograph [289]

Make a box large enough to hold four dry cells and use it as a
base to mount the motor on and to support the revolving cylinder.
Anyone of the various battery motors may be used to supply the
power. The support for the cylinder is first made and located on
the cover of the box in such a position that it will give ample
room for the motor. The motor base and the support are fastened by
screws turned up through the cover or top of the box. The location
of these parts is shown in Fig. 1.

The core for holding the cylindrical wax records is 4-1/2 in. long
and made of wood, turned a little tapering, the diameter at the
small or outer end being 1-5/8 in., and at the larger end, 1-7/8
in. A wood wheel with a V-shaped groove on its edge is nailed to
the larger end of the cylinder. The hole in the core is fitted
with a brass tube, driven in tightly to serve as a bearing. A rod
that will fit the brass tube, not too tightly, but which will not
wobble loose, is threaded and turned into the upper end of the
support. The core with its attached driving wheel is shown in Fig.
3. The dotted lines show the brass bearing and rod axle. The end
of the axle should be provided with a thread over which a washer
and nut are placed, to keep the core from coming off in turning.

The sound box, Fig. 2, is about 2-1/2 in. in diameter and 1 in.
thick, made of heavy tin. The diaphragm, which should be of thin
ferrotype tin, should