Popular Science Monthly 



125 



having twice the circumference of the 

 other. But the rings formed with an 

 even number of half turns are trisected 

 just as you would trisect any rectangular 

 piece of paper lengthwise. These rings 

 have two edges. Hence, to trisect, cut 

 off one third of the ring parallel to one 

 edge and then another third. On each 

 cut you will make one revolution of the 

 ring, the shears returning to the starting 

 point. The resulting rings, as far as I 

 have investigated them, will be three in 

 number, each linked to its two mates, 

 the complexity increasing as usual with 

 the number of half turns in the original 

 ring. 



To continue further with this descrip- 

 tion would be monotonous. As in any 

 experiment, popular interest centers in 

 the performance itself, so, should you 

 merely read this and pass on you will 

 find it scarcely worth your while. Get 

 a pair of scissors, some wrapping paper, 

 a jar of library paste and try a few of the 

 suggested cases. Start the children on 

 it for a rainy day amusement. Give it 

 to the boy who is wrestling with the 

 theorems of geometry. Perhaps he 

 would become interested in tabulating 

 results and could be induced to give a 

 talk before his class, illustrated by 

 cutting some of the simplest forms. As 

 a means of entertainment or instruction 

 for young or old these experiments are 

 worth while and, once started, they have 

 the merit of possessing a peculiar fascin- 

 ation that invites and encourages original 

 investigation. — F. E. TucK. 



Molding Hamburger Steak with 

 a Can- Cover 



HAMBURGER 

 steak, shaped 

 into balls with the 

 hands, never comes 

 to the table in uni- 

 form sizes, and 

 there is more than 

 a'gambler's chance that the hands of the 

 cook who does the molding may not be 

 absolutely clean. Both of these objec- 

 tions are obviated in the use of a Ham- 

 burger-steak cutter made from a can- 

 cover and fitted with a wooden handle — 

 a piece of sheet metal is fastened in the 

 center to strengthen it. A dough-cutter 

 used by bakers in preparing biscuits will 

 also serve the purpose. 



Holder for Steel Wool to Protect 

 the Hands 



ONE of the objections to using steel 

 wool for cleaning kitchen utensils, 

 such as the bottoms of saucepans, is 

 that particles of the wool are liable to 

 become imbedded in the fingers; but if 

 it is enclosed in a fairly stiff cardboard 



The wool is enclosed in a case so 

 that it will not injure the hands 



tube, not only will this- objection be 

 overcome but a great saving of the wool 

 will result. 



An empty 12-gage shell may be used 

 and filled tight with the wool. This 

 will be found to be a great improvement 

 over holding the wool in the bare hands. 

 The cap and anvil should be driven out 

 from the head of the sheirand tapped for 

 a 3^-in. screw with a knurled head. The 

 opposite end of the screw is then fitted 

 with a plunger so that the wool may be 

 pushed out as it is used or rubbed away. 

 A larger tube with a wood end carrying 

 a screw and plunger could be used to 

 advantage. 



A Quick Hardener for Patching 

 Holes in Castings 



TO fill up holes in castings ordinary 

 filler is not very satisfactory on 

 account of the long time it takes to dry. 

 Sealing or battery wax will be found 

 very good for filling up holes in castings 

 where no strain comes. The wax should 

 be melted into the hole, from the cake, 

 by means of the ordinary soldering iron. 

 The wax hardens immediately and the 

 filler is then applied over it as on the 

 rest of the casting. 



