HOW TO MAKE A FLOATING COMPASS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 182, 3 August 1929, Page 2 (Supplement)

HOW TO MAKE A FLOATING COMPASS.

Two boys werfe arguing about the direction of the wind; one said, "West-south-west, and I'll prove it." He bent over a drying pool of > rainwater and dropped what seemed to be an ordinary needle on to the surface. The needle floated and then started to swing round until it settled down to point north and south.. It was a magnetised needle, which the youngster treasured, and, when floating, it was free to turn to the magnetic north. You can make any fairly fine needle into a magnet by rubbing one end backwards and forwards about 20 times on an ordinary horse-shoe magnet. The

needle will not be strong enough to pick up pieces of metal, but if you lloat it on water it will always point north and south. With its help you can even navigate a boat.

Jt may seem that I was talking nonsense when. I said that needles will lloat. But i fairly fine- needle. magnetised - will Hoat if you first rub it bets',, ur lingers to give it a slight eoal.it grease and then lower it very gently, in an exactly horizontal position to tiie surface of a. tumbler or saucer of water. You can do it with lemonade if you like —but be careful not to. drink the needle.