THE MECHANICAL TUMBLER

A small box is shown with a little proscenium front, where a cardboard figure, clad like an acrobat, executes the most startling feats on a horizontal bar. In a previous volume of this series the mode of working a somewhat similar figure with wires was revealed. A still simpler plan is followed here.

Explanation.—The rod, which passes through the front of the box, freely turns on a pivot in the opposite side of the box within, and is the axis of a wheel with large paddles, like a water-wheel, A. Sand, running out of a hopper, B, falls on the wheel and gives it motion. To refill the hopper, the box is turned upside down with a twist,easily learnt, when the sand follows the direction of the arrows, and is caught in the feeding-box.

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