The Washington herald., 1907-08-04

hawks. gigantic centipedes. bats. myth
olOgical beings, beautiful women, &c,
form the designs of the most Of them.
Musical Kites.
One of the novel and ingenious types is
that Of a musical kite. This has a
bow Of bamboo. with a silk string fastened
to the top. In flying, the wind strikes
the string and plays upon it like an
aeolian harp. producing pleasing and
loud tone. One Of the musical kites. ac-
cording to Chinese military traditions,
was once employed most effectively as
a decOy. A Chinese general, at war
against an invading force, sent up one OF
these musical kites with lighted lanterns
attached II scared over the camp Of
the enemy, who, hearing the strange
music. thought the object was alive. I'm
mediately all the arrows were shot at
the mysterious shape In the air After
the soldiers had wasted their ammuni-
ton, the Chinese general charged upon
them, and they were easily put 10 rout.
A great number Of the kites are con-
structed TO represent theatrical scenes
and favorIte heroes Of ancient and mod
ern dramas. In most cases. excepting
those OF the women, the faces are COW
cred with long-bearded. grotesque masks.
Probably the most wonderful and inge-
NOUS achievement Of a Chinese kite
maker is designed to represent q gigantic
centipede. This is unquestionably the
longest and most fantastic amusement
device that has ever been constructed
for aerial flight. From head TO tail it
measures nearly forty feet and is made
to fold up accoTdion-like AS will be
seen, the fierce. large head of the crea-
ture, with long protruding horns, huge
eyes. and gaping mouth. forms the front
OF the kite. This is the gem and mar
vel of the whole collection and entirely
new To the eyes Of tie Western world.
Two views Of this. showing a near
glimpse OF the head. and the kite
stretched out at full length for flight. are
shown.
The construction Of this kite Is as fol-
,aWs: Extending from head to tail and
constituting the body portion are a series
OF bamboo sticks running crosswise to
the centre. to which are fastened twenty
five or more DastebOaTd disks a foot or
more In diameter. These are painted in
circles Of black, yellow, and white, rep
senting the All-seeing Eyes Of this myth
illogical creature. A tail portion Of mar
row strips is arranged TO the last piece
Of bamboo. By q mechanical contrivance
the curved pieces of pasteboard forming
the eyes are made TO revolve by the wind
while the kite is being flown. Seen IN
the air, with its serpenune-like motion,
its huge glsring eyes, swiftly twirling in
their sockets. the effect is said 10 be
astonishingly realistic. producing quite an
awe-inspiring scene. TO the Chinese mind.
at least While being flown Il cord is at
taChed to three or more points Of its
length. In order 70 keep il under control
In a strong wind, several men are re-
quired 10 hold the reel Undoubtedly we
have here one OF the first and most
ancient patterns Of flying machines, thou
sands Of years old
Kites Minus Tails.
Many Of the kites are flown without
tails. though a number have lighted
candles and lanterns attached. These
are flown at night. and produce a weird
and spectacular sight One OF the peCu-
liar types is the hghting kite. This is
about five feet long and crOss-shaped. the
two ends terminating in sharp points
For this aerial warfare silk cords or
strings are used. which have been dipped
their entire length in fish glue and prep
aration Of powdered glass or porcelain
The kites are sent up. and the moment
the strings are crossed the battle begins
When a half dozen or more become en-
tangled, the sport sometimes lasts nearly
a day. Money Is frequently wagered on
the result, and special matches are ar
rams d by experts in kite fighting
on the 14th Of the first month il Is Gus
tomary 10 write in Chinese characters
on kites a wish 70 the effect that the
years misfoTtunes may be carried away
with them. Mothers write II for their
children, with their names and dates Of
birth. The letters are placed along the
bamboo frame, so that they may not be
seen by any one who might be tempted
70 pick the kite up. Boys tie a piece Of
sulphur paper 10 the string of such kite.
which they light before sending up. 50
that when the kite goes up in the air the
string will burn through and the kite fall
No one will ever touch a lost kite Kites
are said 10 have been known In China as
early as the third century B. c, being
used first for military signals. From
China they were introduced into Europe
at the end OF the seventeenth century.