height to which American scientists have sent kites with thermometers
and barometers attached, so as to record the elevation and the
temperature.

THE HARGRAVE, OR BOX KITE,

is something new and hitherto unheard of in the kite line. Rigidity
and strength, without too much weight, are the prime essentials of the
Hargrave. It may be made by a boy with a knack for mechanics in the
following way: Take eight stiff, slender pieces of bamboo, eighteen
and three-quarter inches in length, such as are sometimes used for
fishing poles. These pieces must be of uniform weight and length, and
as nearly alike as possible. Next cut six sticks, each eleven inches
long, and as nearly alike as possible. These are for the middle
uprights and end stretchers. After finding the middle of the longer
sticks, lash them together in pairs by means of stout waxed thread, or
light brass wire. Notch the ends of the sticks and make the spread
between A and C just eleven inches. This will give you four pairs of
crossed sticks. Next take one of your eleven-inch uprights, and bind
it to the two pairs of cross-sticks. Take the other eleven-inch
upright and fasten the other two pairs of cross-sticks in the same
way.

This done, cut two spines, or connecting rods of bamboo, each thirty
inches long and as nearly alike as possible. Next, with waxed thread,
or light wire, bind the two spines over the ends of the eleven-inch
stretchers. The spine must fit like the top of a letter T over the
stretchers and be square; that is, at right angles with the stretcher.
Each end of the spine must project beyond the uprights five and one-
half inches; that is, the ends must each be five and one-half inches