Unconscious Humorists.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6228, 10 April 1895, Page 2

Unconscious Humorists.

There are often hidden meanings ia ttj e humorous answers given by schoolboys w the examinution-room. From a collection of such answers in the University Correspondent we (Nature) cull a few authenticated specimens. "Parallel straight lines," said one boy, " are those wlu«j meet at the far end of infinity." Ana another sagely remarked that "thing which are impossible are equal to one another." The boy who wrote "aF" 11 is that which will not appear any bigger' even if you get a magnifying g« ss ' would have no difficulty in understanding that a. star, being » lucid point, cannot be magninea Every examiner is familiar with the noncommittal answers frequently received ana with which may be classified the cautious statement that "Two straight lines cannot enclose a space, unless tIW &I , crooked." But even these words ° wisdom are eclipsed by the- definition" ° kinetic and of potential energy "« ce r ? ceived. "Kinetic energy," ran t»^ de „[ uitions, "is the power of doing withou work." This truth, which has a monetary application, is well worth adding to ou contemporary's collection.