16 BENJ. PIKE'S, JR., DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 



ink lines, the pen causing the ink to flow freely in a v*ry 

 wide line, 



4. The ink point, or pen, (Fig. 6, page 17), for drawing 

 and describing lines in ink ; for this purpose the two blades 

 or sides of the pen are opened or closed with an adjusting 

 screw, that the line drawn may be as fine or as coarse as 

 you please ; in fine instruments, one of the blades is framed 

 with a joint, that the points may be separated, and thus 

 cleaned more conveniently. In the pencil point, dotter, and 

 pen point, there is a joint by which you can set the lower 

 part always perpendicular to the paper, which is necessary 

 for drawing a line well in every opening of the compasses. 



5. Lengthener. (Fig. 7, page 17.) One or two additional 

 pieces are often applied to the best compasses ; these by 

 lengthening the leg enable them to strike larger circles, or 

 measure greater extents than they would otherwise per- 

 form, and that without the inconvenience that would attend 

 using long compasses. 



Compasses of the best kind are frequently framed at the 

 end of the shank, so as to form a strong spring, and the 

 points and lengthener slide into this socket, and are firmly 

 held. The best description are furnished with joints in one 

 or both legs, that they may be placed perpendicular to the 

 paper. Price, in German silver, $12 to $18. 



Hair Compasses. (Fig. 8, page 19.) They are so named, 

 on account of a contrivance in the shank to set them with 

 greater accuracy than can be effected by the motion of the 

 joint alone. One of the steel points is fastened near the 

 top of the compasses, and may be moved very gradually by 

 turning the screw either backwards or forwards. To use 

 these compasses, 1st, place the leg to which the screw is 

 annexed, outermost ; 2d, set the fixed leg on that point from 

 whence the extent is to be taken ; 3d, open the compasses 

 as nearly as possible to the required distance, and then 

 make the points accurately coincide therewith, by turning 

 the screw. Price, in brass, $2.00 to $3.00. 



" in German silver, $2.00 to $4.00. 



The Drawing Ren. (Fig. 9, page 19.) This pen is used 

 to draw straight lines ; it consists of two blades with steel 

 points fixed to a handle. The blades are so bent that the 

 ends of the steel points meet, and yet leave a sufficient cavity 



