The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-09-22


gle itself free Of the twist and hang
quite passive. The inertia Of the liquid
in the egg overcomes the tendency to
revolve impaired by the tension OF the
string.
Here is an experiment with an empty
egg shell-that is, an egg from WHICH
the contents have been withdrawn.
Make the hole somewhat large. and by
means Of folded paper introduce In.
to 1t little quicksilver and close the
hole by securely cumming piece Of
paper over 1t.
If you now stand the egg at the TOP
Of a sloping board, lay the egg on its
side and release 1t, 1t will turn seriet
of somersaults in running down the
slope. Also, on account Of the weight
OF the quicksilver, you cannot make
the egg lie down at any time without
holding it. 1t is, in fact, sort OF imJ
bottle, like the little toys which are
sold at the conjuring shops.
Rather a pretty experiment with
blown egg is to suspend it by means OF
a piece of cotton attached to 1t with
sealing wax, and then cause it tc
swing, without being touched, by
means of electrical attraction. The
latter Is supplied by doubled sheet
of brown paper, warmed and made
electrical by being held tightly against
the body with the upper arm. while II
is drawn smartly out with the Other
hand.
The brown paper, which will give 3
bright electric spark TO the knuckle
will make the egg swing briskly by
its attraction, drawing the egg to 1t.
self as very powerful magnet will
attract a piece of iron, but in much
more striking manner.
An egg-that is, a complete egg, not
the empty shell. such ms we have just
been using-will sink in water. But
it will float i'm strong brine, made by
adding to cold water as much salt az
will dissolve in it. Cold water will
dissolve a little more salt than hot.
| II we mix solution of salt with
some pure water, trying the egg in II
from time to time, we can obtain a
mixture having the same specific gray.
| ity as the egg; and in this water we
can make the egg float, by little care,
at any particular spot.
Thus IL we take a tall Jar full OF
the fluid mixed as above, and by
means Of a bent piece Of tin carefully
release the egg halfway down, we
shall have the curious phenomenon OF
an egg suspended, as though by magic
in the middle of the jar, as Moham
med's coffin hung in air between earth
and heaven. y
But II we had not wholly filled the
| jar there is yet more curious trick
greatly surprising to the unwarned on
locker. BY means of long funnel add
some more brine to the water and the
egg will gradually rise to the surface
Now add fresh water In sufficient
quantity and 1t will as slowly sink.
Take an empty eggshell and choose
one in which the hole has not been
made too large. If you now put the
empty shell in the oven, so as to make
it very hot, and then plunge 1t in q
bowl Of water for a few minutes. the
shell will suck In some of the water,
owing to the contraction of the con.
tanned air in cooling.
Do this once or twice unit II you have
in the eggshell just sufficient water for
this experiment, which requires that
the shell shall Just be able to float on
water and no more-that is, that very
slight touch will send it down, to bob
up again directly afterward.
Put 1t in a large, narrow mouthed
pickle jar, nearly full of water. Put
the palm of your hand over the mouth
of the Jar and bear heavily upon 1t
The egg will sink to the bottom. Lift
the hand and the egg will rise quickly
to the surface. The compression OF
the air destroys the buoyancy of the
partially filled eggshell. II you don't
mind making rather a mess In the fire.
place you can utilize this Ehell with
the water in 1t for another striking
| trick.
Cover the hole with piece Of paper
well gummed on and gummed over and
put the shell in the fire. In a few
minutes the shell will be blown VIC.
lently to pieces by the steam from the
water. Stand well back from the
crate or you may be scalded.
In the next trick 1t Is not necessary
to allow the onlookerg either to wit
ness the preparations or to be aware
Of the fact that 1t is an empty egg
that is being used. Take little piece
of good muslin and soak 1t In strong
brine. Let 1t dry and repeat the pro-
cess three or four times. Then, by
attaching a piece Of wire to each cor.
ner of the muslin make n little cradle
to hold the SHE'LL Do not do this un-
til the muslin is thoroughly dry.
| If you now set fire to the muslin SO
that 1t may burn the eggshell will not
as the bystanders expect fall. The
trick is very surprising one and Its
explanation simple. The sailing Of the
muslin causes it to leave an ash suff
GENTLY strong to support light OBJ
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