A B C OF THE STEEL SQUARE 



45 



1), and by the conditions existing setting off in 

 the quadrant a space equal to one-quarter of 

 its extent, and if from D we draw a line to the 

 center, C, corresponding, as already mentioned, 

 with 12 on the blade, we shall find that this line 

 (DC) cuts the tongue on the point 5 (very 

 nearly, the exact figures being 4 31-32 inches,). 

 The line DC, as above explained, bisects the 

 eighth of a circle. In other words, it is the line 

 of an octagon miter, and therefore, we say that 

 for an octagon miter we take 12 on the blade 

 and 5 on the tongue. 



By dividing the quadrant into three equal 

 parts, as shown by XG, GH and HG, we ob- 

 tain by drawing GC the line corresponding to 

 the hexagon miter. This, it will be observed, 

 cuts the tongue of the square at 7 (very near- 

 ly, the exact figures being 6 15-16 inches), and, 

 therefore, we say for hexagon miters we take 

 12 of the blade and 7 of the tongue. 



The question sometimes arises, can the square 

 be employed to describe a circle? While the 

 square may be used for describing a circle of any 

 diameter, providing the capacity of the square is 

 not exceeded, still those who attempt to perform 

 the work will very likely conclude before they 

 are through that other means are more satisfac- 

 tory for regular use. The way to proceed is in- 



