Parlor Magic

[From St. Mcholaa for uctolx-r.l This series of experiments is designed for the use of young people who are interested in the wonders and the ■ ful realities of nature, and who dèlight to observe for themselves hoiv Ctírious are the phenomena revealed by scientifie knowledge. Simple instructiona are ! given for the performance of a mimber ' of pretty experiments, all of whieh are perfectly safe, and cost very littlc money. For " evenings at home" it is hoped that these experiments will be foimd indefinitely amüsing and recreative, ;it the same time that they will lead the minds of boys and girls to inquines into the entire fabric of the grand sciences whieh explain the principies on which they are founded. All the materials spoken of, and all the needful apparatus, which is of the simplest and most inexpensive kind, ean be obtained at a good chemist's. It is of the highest imporfcaneu that all the materials be pure and good. THE MAGIC APERTURE. Put several liglited candles upon the table, in a straight row and near togethw. Lay upon the table, in front of them, a large piece of smooth, white paper. Have ready a piece of pasteboard large enough to coneeal the candles, with a small hole cut in it aboye the middle. Place this so as tv stand upon its edge between the row of candles and the sheet of paper in front, and there wil] be as many images of flamea thrown through the hole and npon tlie paper as there are burning candios. GREEN FIRE. Obtain some boriacie acid, mix it well with a small quantity of spirits of wine or alcohol, place the alcohol in a saneer upon a dish, and then ignife it with i match. The ñame will be a beautiful green. ïo see the color to perfection, of course, the room should be somewhat darkened. A green flame may also be produced by using chloride of eopper, instead of boracic acid. And, instead of mixing it with the alcohol, a small quantity may be imbedded in tlie wiek of a candle. - Leo H. Grindon, in St. Nioholas for October. PARLOR SÜNSBDÜte. Obtain a yard of " magnesium tape," or " magnesium wire," sold very cheap by most druggists. Out a length of six or eight inches; bend one extreinitv bo as to get a goodhold of it with a pair of fórceps, or evon a pair of ordiimry soissors, oi attach it to the end of a stick or wiro. Then liold the piece of magnesium vertically in a strong flame, BUóh as that of a candle, and, in a few seconds it will ignite, burning with the splendor of sunshine, and making night seem noonday. As the burning proceeds. a quantity of white powder is formed. This is pure magnesia. While performing this splendid experiment the room should be darkened. THE BREATH OF LIFE. Procure i tolerably large bell-glass, such as is used for covering docks and ornamente npn the itfaotél-pleeë-. It should ïiot ! U'ss tlian eighteen inches high and eight or nina inches in diameter. Próvido also a eommon dish, sufficiènÜy large to allow the bell-glass to stand well within its twLsed boeder. Then procure two little wax candles, three or four inches in longth, and stand each in a litólo bottle or other j rary candlestick. Place them in the center of the dish and light the wicks. Then pour water into the dish to the ] depth of nearly an inch, and finish by placing the bell over the candles, which. of course, are then closely shut in. For a few minutes all goes on propedy. The flames burn steadily, and seem to laugh at the idea of their being about to die. Uut presently they become faint - fii'st one, then the other; the luster and size of the flames diuiicish rapidly, and then they go out. This is brcaiise the; burning candios consiinied all the oxygen that was contained witliin the volume of afmosphere that was in the bell, and were unable, on account of the water, tb get tipw siipplies from outside. It illustrates, in the most perfect marnier, our own need of constant supplies of good, fresh air. The experiment may hr improyed, or at all events varied, by using candios of different lengtlis. ROSE COLOK PRODUCED FROM GRKEN. Obtain a small (juantity of roseine- one of the wonderful products obtained from gas-tar, and employed extcnsively in prodnoiog what are called by manufacturers the "mngenta colors." Koseine exists in the shapo of minute crystals. roscmbling those of sugar. They are hard and dry, and of the most briHiant emerald green. Droji five or six of the littte crystals into a large glass of limpia water. T1kvwí11 dissolyej but, instead of giviug a green solution. tlie product is an exquisite erimson-nisc color, tho color seeming to tiickh' from tlie surface of the water dowoward. When the solution has proceeded for a short time, stir the water with a glass rod, and the uncolored portjon of it will become a carmine.