** Self-Lighting Arc Searchlight [9]

A practical and easily constructed self-lighting arc searchlight can be made in the following manner:  Procure a large can, about 6 in. in diameter, and cut three holes in its side about 2 in. from the back end, and in the positions shown in the sketch.  Two of the holes are cut large enough to hold a short section of a garden hose tightly, as shown at AA.  A piece of porcelain tube, B, used for insulation, is fitted tightly in the third hole.  The hose insulation A should hold the carbon F rigidly, while the carbon E should rest loosely in its insulation.

The inner end of the carbon E is supported by a piece of No. 25 German-silver wire, C, which is about 6 in. long.  This wire runs through the

[Illustration:  Arc in a Large Can]

porcelain tube to the binding post D. The binding post is fastened to a wood plug in the end of the tube.  The tube B is adjusted so that the end of the carbon E is pressing against the carbon F. The electric wires are connected to the carbon F and the binding post D. A resistance, R, should be in the line.

The current, in passing through the lamp, heats the strip of German-silver wire, causing it to expand.  This expansion lowers the end of the carbon E, separating the points of the two carbons and thus providing a space between them for the formation of an arc.  When the current is turned off, the German-silver wire contracts and draws the two carbon ends together ready for lighting again.  The feed can be adjusted by sliding the carbon F through its insulation.

A resistance for the arc may be made by running the current through a water rheostat or through 15 ft. of No. 25 gauge German-silver wire.  —­Contributed by R. H. Galbreath, Denver, Colo.

** A Traveler’s Shaving Mug [9]

Take an ordinary collapsible drinking cup and place a cake of shaving soap in the bottom ring.  This will provide a shaving mug always ready for the traveler and one that will occupy very little space in the grip.

** Homemade Snowshoes [9]

Secure four light barrel staves and sandpaper the outside smooth.  Take two old shoes that are extra large and cut off the tops and heels so as to leave only the toe covering fastened to the sole.  Purchase two long book straps, cut them in two in the middle and fasten the ends on the toe covering, as shown in Fig. 1.  The straps are used to attach the snowshoe to the regular shoe.  When buckling up the straps be sure to leave them loose enough for the foot to work freely, Fig. 2.  Fasten the barrel staves in pairs, leaving a space of 4 in. between them as shown in Fig. 3, with thin strips of wood.  Nail the old shoe soles to crosspieces

[Illustration:  Made from Barrel Staves]

placed one-third of the way from one end as shown. —­Contributed by David Brown, Kansas City, Mo.

** Fish Signal for Fishing through Ice [10]