THE TOTING SCIENTIST. 
137 
It is easy to perceive tiiat in the do- 
main of the sense of touch the judgment, 
being formed instinctively, finds itself at 
fault v^^hen the normal conditions are 
modified ; thus it happens, for example, 
when we have on the lips an accidental 
pimple or swelling, th% glass from which j 
we drink appears to have a distorted edge. 
A Curious Mechanical Puzzle. 
THE following 
considerable 
puzzle always affords 
amusement when first 
shown. Place a ten-cent piece on a table 
which is covered with a cloth or napkin, 
and over it place a tumbler or goblet, sup- 
ported by two twenty-five cent pieces, as 
CURIOUS MECHANICAL PUZZLE. 
Facts of this nature are very interesting 
to study from aphilosopical point of view, 
for tliey demonstrate that the judgment 
which we form in regard to external ma- 
terial realities is based upon the inter- 
pretation of our sensible impressions. 
The impression of our senses is some- 
thing entirely physical, and in no wise 
psychological. Interpretation is an affair 
of habit and education. 
— The first telegraph line was erected 
less than 40 years ago, and now 1,000,000 
miles are in operation. 
shown in the engraving. Thus arranged, 
the question is how to make the ten cent 
piece issue from beneath the goblet with- 
out touching the latter, or pushing it or 
drawing it out by means of some othei; 
object. To succeed in doing this it is 
merely necessary to scratch the table 
cloth or napkin with the nail of the fore- 
finger close to the goblet, when, through 
the elasticity of the fibres of the fabric, 
motion is transmitted to the ten-cent 
piece, which, in consequence of its inertia, 
begins to move towards the finger, and 
escapes of itself from its prison, 
