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



pasted along the figure to the muzzle. Connecting the wire 

 with the electrical machine in action it will of course become 

 charged, during which time the birds will elevate themselves 

 by electrical repulsion ; when the bottle is charged to a cer- 

 tain extent, the distance between the muzzle of the gun and 

 ball near it will not be sufficient to restrain the passage of 

 the fluid, which w T ill therefore pass between them, occasion- 

 ing at the same time a flash of light, a loud report, and the 

 falling of the birds. Price, with Leydenjar, $3.00. 



without " " $1.50. 



The Electrical Rope-dancer. (Fig. 319.) This consists of 

 two stout brass rods, having knobs at each end, and about a 

 foot long. The upper rod is connected with the conductor by 

 a small chain or hook ; the lower one is hung to this, at the 

 distance of two or three inches, by a silk thread at each end ; 

 the lower wire is also connected with the ground by a chain. 

 Place on the lower wire a paper or pith figure, and upon 

 putting the machine in action, it will move alternately and 

 briskly between them. In the cut given below, the two 

 wires appear unconnected with each other, the lower one 

 having a stand of its own. This is a better form of the ap- 

 paratus, because, when connected together by silk, the figure 

 put to dance is apt to cling to the silk, which destroys the 

 effect intended to be produced. Price, $2.00. 



Fig. 319. 



Electrical Swan. (Fig. 320, as above.) This is a small 

 metallic swan, made light and capable of floating on water. 

 Let the swan float in a basin of water, which is supported 



