PARACHUTE AND DART.
To make a parachute quickly, fold a square piece of tissue-paper four
times, so as to have a wedge-shaped mass ; now, fold back the thinner
three-cornered mass upon the rest and tear it off, as well as the
corners at the opening of the angle. Punch a hole through
the centre of the broad end, and tear off the tip of the cone.
Unfold, and
yon will have an almost circular sheet with a tooth-like edge. With a
pin tied to the end of a long thread, pass the thread in turn through
each of the regular holes, and pull out the loops to such a length as
will convert the whole into a parachute. Tie the loops at the lower
ends in one knot, and there suspend a bunch of paper for a car, in
which is the flower, ring, or other article to be restored to the
owner. Now take up a bow and put the head of the arrow, across which is
a tight bar to prevent the shaft passing through altogether, up the
parachute, and out of the central opening. The apparatus when closed by
the hand will much resemble a shut-up parasol. Shoot the arrow up in
the air, and the parachute, on expanding at the cessation of flight,
will sail slowly down and among the audience. As a finale, especially
in the open air, a squib may be substituted which will shatter a thin
glass phial of perfume, so that the parachute will float in a spray of
scent.
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