Tricks, Games, and Puzzles.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLIX, Issue 4, 22 January 1913, Page 58

Tricks, Games, and Puzzles.

AN INTERESTING PROBLEM. Draw’ a diagram similar to this, and write the figures 1 to 5 in the top row

of squares, as shown. Then ask your friends to arrange the figures 1 to 5 in the other squares in such a way that

the figures in each column—horizontal, vertical, or diagonal—amount to 15. Each square must contain a figure, no figure higher than 5 must be used and no figure be repeated in the same column. The solution is shown in the second diagram. THE SWIMMING CORKS. Can you make seven corks swim on the water in a perpendicular position, without separating one from the other? This is easily done. Place one cork upright on the table, and around it six others. Seize all seven of them with your hand and immerse them in the water. Pull your hand back slowly, leaving the corks

to themselves. The water that has intruded between them holds them together, and they will swim in a perpendicular position, as shown in our illustration. RUNNING RJIYMES. ; This game is very simple, but well calculated to enliven the wits of those taking part in it. The company' being seated in a circle, the director reads or recites a line of poetry, to which the person to whom it is addressed is bound to add a line corresponding with it in rhyme, measure, and sense, under pain of having to pay a forfeit. When the director has given the line he spins a top, or counts 20, and the poetic feat must be accomplished before it ceases spinning, or before the number is reached, as the case may be. Poetry of a high order cannot be expected. For instance, the director reads, “The year is dying in the night,” and the answer may be, “And it certainly serves him right!” The director again reads, “ The busy lark, the messenger of day,” and the reply may be, “Quite lost his voice, and nothing had to say!” TO BALANCE A UH AIR ON ITS REAR LEGS. If you are asked in a game of forfeits to balance a chair on its rear legs yotl can do it like this:—•

To each of the front legs tic a dumbbell, and the chair will then balance in the manner shown.