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The Dodecahedron


So called because it nearly represents a twelve-sided figure, is made

thus: First have a ball turned out of some hard wood, 14 inches

diameter; divide its surface into 14 equal parts, from which bore

holes one inch and a half diameter, perpendicular to the centre, so

that they may all meet in the middle: then let there be turned in the

inside of each hole a female screw; and to all the holes but one must

be made a roun
spoke five feet long, with four inches of the screw at

one end to fit the holes; then in the screw-end of all the spokes bore

a hole five inches long, which must be bored slanting, so as to come

out at one side, a little above the screw; from which cut a small

groove along the spoke within six inches of the other end, where make

another hole through to the other side of the spoke. In this end fix a

spindle, on which put a small wheel of three or four sides, each side

six or seven inches long; these sides must have grooves cut in them

large enough to receive a two or four-ounce case. When these wheels

are clothed, put them on the spindles, and at the end of each spindle

put a nut, to keep the wheel from falling off. The wheels being thus

fixed, carry a pipe from the mouth of the first case on each wheel,

through the hole in the side of the spoke, and from thence along the

groove, and through the other hole, so as to hang out at the screw-end

about an inch. The spokes being all prepared in this manner, you must

have a post, on which you intend to fire the work, with an iron screw

in the top of it, to fit one of the holes in the ball: on the screw

fix the ball; then in the top hole of the ball put a little

meal-powder and some loose quick-match: then screw in all the spokes;

and in one side of the ball bore a hole, in which put a leader, and

secure it at the end, and the work will be ready to be fired. By the

leader the powder and match in the centre is fired, which will light

the match at the ends of the spokes all at once, whereby all the

wheels will be lighted at once. There may be an addition to this

piece, by fixing a small globe on each wheel, or one on the top wheel

only. A grey charge will be proper for the wheel-cases.



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