POPULAR
SCIENTIFIC RECREATIONS
IN
NATURAL PHILOSOPHY, ASTRONOMY,GEOLOGY, CHEMISTRY,
ETC., ETC., ETC.
Translated and Enlarged from “Les Récréations Scientifiques”
OF
GASTON TISSANDIER.
(Editor of “La Nature.”)
PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED.
London:
WARD, LOCK, AND CO., WARWICK HOUSE,
SALISBURY SQUARE, E.C.
NEW YORK: 10, BOND STREET.
PREFACE.
A learned mathematician of the seventeenth century,Ozanam by name, a member of the Academyof Sciences and author of several distinguishedworks, did not think it derogatory to his dignityto write, under the title of “Mathematical andPhysical Recreations,” a book designed for theamusement of youth, in which science lends itselfto every pastime, even jugglery and tricks of legerdemain.
“Jeux d’esprit” says Ozanam, “are for all seasons and allages; they instruct the young, they amuse the old, they arewelcomed by the rich, and are not above the reach of the poor.”
The object of the book now presented to the reader is alsoto instruct while it amuses, but we have not thought proper to makeuse, as Ozanam did, of any physical feats, so called amusing. Suchdo not constitute experiments, and are but ingenious deceptions,intended to disguise the true mode of operation, and we have notdesired to make use of or popularise such methods. We wish, onthe contrary, that every game we describe, every pastime or amusementof which we give the exposition, should be rigorously based onthe scientific method, and looked upon as a genuine exercise inphysics, chemistry, mechanics, or natural science. It does notappear to us desirable to teach deception, even in play.
Science in the open air, in the fields, in the sunshine, is our firststudy; we point out how, in the country, it is possible, pleasantlyand unceasingly, to occupy one’s leisure in observing nature, incapturing insects or aquatic animals, or in noting atmosphericphenomena.
We next teach a complete course of physics without any apparatus,and point out the methods for studying the different phenomena[Pg v]of heat, light, optics, and electricity, by means of a simple water-bottle,tumbler, stick of sealing-wax, and other ordinary objects, suchas everyone has at hand. A series of chemical experiments, performedby means of some phials and inexpensive appliances, completesthat part of the book relating to the physical sciences.
Another kind of recreation, both intelligent and useful, consistsin collecting the ingenious inventions which are constantly beingsupplied to our requirements by the applied sciences, and learninghow to use them. We have collected a number of mechanicalinventions and appliances, with which most ingenious and skilfulpeople will wish to supply themselves, from