ches 1, 1A, 2, 2A and 3. Leave the key piece intact.
The puzzle is of course to fit all the six pieces together so as to form
the Chinese cross or block given at Fig. 392. As a clue to the method of
assembly we give another sketch (Fig. 393) showing four of the pieces
fixed together. The reader can, if he so desires, make the puzzle to a
smaller scale by using six pieces of wood each measuring 2 ins. long by
1/2 in. by 1/2 in.

[Illustration: Fig. 395--Diagonal Chinese Cross Puzzle. (Two Pieces
required of A, Three of B and One of C.)]

DIAGONAL CHINESE CROSS.--At Fig. 395 is given a sketch of a completed
Chinese block or cross puzzle in which the various pieces of wood go
together diagonally. Plane up a piece of hardwood (which may be about 14
ins. or 15 ins. long) so that it measures on its end 1/2 in. square. Cut
the wood into six pieces which measure about 2-1/4 ins. long, and then
proceed to mark out, saw and pare up with the chisel two pieces like
sketch A, three pieces like B, and one key piece as C. Now fit these
together to make the completed cross. The solution is left to the reader.

Fig. 396 shows a combination of six pieces which, when fitted together,
will make the Chinese cross similar to Fig. 392. Plane up the strip of
hardwood (birch preferred) so that it measures 1/2 in. square at the end
and proceed to mark out and make two pieces like D, two like E, one like
F, and one piece like G. Put the pieces together to form the Chinese
cross. Again the reader is left to solve the problem of fitting.

[Illustration: Fig. 396.--Another Chinese Cross. (Two Pieces required of
D, Two of E, and One each of F and G.)]

SQUARE PUZZLES are of endless variety. Four of these are shown, all
simple to make, but not equally simple to solve. The only material
required for each is a 5-ins. square piece of 1/8-in. fretwood or
plywood; or, if preferred, pieces of different colour may be used. The
diagrams are given exactly half size, and the lines may be set out direct
on the wood. It will be noticed that all four puzzles are strictly
geometrical in character.

[Illustration: Fig. 397.--Six-piece Square Puzzle. (For Guidance in
Setting Out, the Centre of Top Line is marked at A.)]

[Illustration: Fig. 398.--Five-piece Square Puzzle. (In Setting Out, note
that the Angles B B are Right Angles.)]

[Illustration: Fig. 399.--Ten-piece Square Puzzle. (For Guidance in
Setting Out, the Centre of the Four Outlines are lettered a