Put a few drops of the solution of silver in aqua-fortis; on a piece of glass form a bit of copper or brass wire, to represent a tree with its branches, but flat, so as to lie upon the glass; lay it in the liquid, and let it remain for an hour or two. A beautiful vegetation will be perceived all round the wire, which will nearly be covered by it. This may be preserved by washing it very carefully with water, and putting another glass over it.
_A person having written an odd number on one card, and an even on another, to tell which is the even and which is the odd._
Desire him to multiply the number in his right hand by 5 (or any odd number) and that in his left by 6, (or any even number) and tell you if the sum of the products added together be odd or even. If it be even, the even number is in the right; but if odd, the even number is in the left hand.
_A Metal which bursts into flame when thrown upon cold water._
Place a piece of potassium, of about two grains weight, upon cold water in a bason, when it inflames, and exhibits a beautiful light of a violet red colour.
Cut a piece of burnt cork, about the size of a pea, in the shape of a spider; make its legs of linen thread, and put a grain or two of lead into it; to give it more weight; suspend it by a fine line of silk between the arch, and an excited stick of wax.
_To make waves of fire on the surface of water._
On a lump of loaf sugar, let fall a few drops of phosphorized ether, and place the sugar in a glass of warm water; a very beautiful appearance will be instantly exhibited: and the effect is increased if the surface of the water is made to undulate, by blowing gently with the breath.
Melt together, in a crucible, five parts of lead, three of tin, and eight of bismuth; these metals will contain and form an alloy (of which spoons may be made, possessed of the remarkable property of melting in boiling water.)
Suffer sulphuric ether (about sixpenny worth) to stand for some weeks over a few small pieces of phosphorus, in a well-stopped phial. The solution is aided by occasional agitation.
_How to extract sixpence from under a glass without touching it._
Place two shillings at an equal distance, so as to allow the rim of a glass to rest on them, place a sixpence in the centre of the shillings under the glass; by drawing your nail along the table, the sixpence will follow the motion of your nail. This feat can only be performed on a baize, cloth, &c.