and the
other 5 x 5. She proposes to join them together and make one square
patchwork quilt, 13 x 13, but, of course, she will not cut any of the
material--merely cut the stitches where necessary and join together
again. What perplexes her is this. A friend assures her that there need
be no more than four pieces in all to join up for the new quilt. Could
you show her how this little needlework puzzle is to be solved in so few
pieces?

176.--LINOLEUM CUTTING.

[Illustration]

The diagram herewith represents two separate pieces of linoleum. The
chequered pattern is not repeated at the back, so that the pieces cannot
be turned over. The puzzle is to cut the two squares into four pieces so
that they shall fit together and form one perfect square 10 x 10, so
that the pattern shall properly match, and so that the larger piece
shall have as small a portion as possible cut from it.

177.--ANOTHER LINOLEUM PUZZLE.

[Illustration]

Can you cut this piece of linoleum into four pieces that will fit
together and form a perfect square? Of course the cuts may only be made
along the lines.

VARIOUS GEOMETRICAL PUZZLES.

"So various are the tastes of men."
MARK AKENSIDE.

178.--THE CARDBOARD BOX.

This puzzle is not difficult, but it will be found entertaining to
discover the simple rule for its solution. I have a rectangular
cardboard box. The top has an area of 120 square inches, the side 96
square inches, and the end 80 square inches. What are the exact
dimensions of the box?

179.--STEALING THE BELL-ROPES.

Two men broke into a church tower one night to steal the bell-ropes. The
two ropes passed through holes in the wooden ceiling high above them,
and they lost no time in climbing to the top. Then one man drew his
knife and cut the rope above his head, in consequence of which he fell
to the floor and was badly injured. His fellow-thief called out that it
served him right for being such a fool. He said that he should have done
as he was doing, upon which he cut the rope below the place at which he
held on. Then, to his dismay, he found that he was in no better plight,
for, after hanging on as long as his strength lasted, he was compelled
to let go and fall beside his comrade. Here they were both found the
next morning with their limbs broken. How far did they fall? One of the
ropes when they found it was just touching the floor, and when you
pulled the end to the wall, keeping the rope taut