such rows of 2 and 4. I will state at once that
the greatest number of such rows that is possible is sixteen. But the
jailer only allows four men to be removed to other cells, and informs me
that, as the man who is seated in the bottom right-hand corner is
infirm, he must not be moved. Now, how are we to get those sixteen rows
of even numbers under such conditions?

[Illustration]

226.--ROUND THE COAST.

[Illustration]

Here is a puzzle that will, I think, be found as amusing as instructive.
We are given a ring of eight circles. Leaving circle 8 blank, we are
required to write in the name of a seven-lettered port in the United
Kingdom in this manner. Touch a blank circle with your pencil, then jump
over two circles in either direction round the ring, and write down the
first letter. Then touch another vacant circle, jump over two circles,
and write down your second letter. Proceed similarly with the other
letters in their proper order until you have completed the word. Thus,
suppose we select "Glasgow," and proceed as follows: 6--1, 7--2, 8--3,
7--4, 8--5, which means that we touch 6, jump over 7 and and write down
"G" on 1; then touch 7, jump over 8 and 1, and write down "l" on 2; and
so on. It will be found that after we have written down the first five
letters--"Glasg"--as above, we cannot go any further. Either there is
something wrong with "Glasgow," or we have not managed our jumps
properly. Can you get to the bottom of the mystery?

227.--CENTRAL SOLITAIRE.

[Illustration]

This ancient puzzle was a great favourite with our grandmothers, and
most of us, I imagine, have on occasions come across a "Solitaire"
board--a round polished board with holes cut in it in a geometrical
pattern, and a glass marble in every hole. Sometimes I have noticed one
on a side table in a suburban front parlour, or found one on a shelf in
a country cottage, or had one brought under my notice at a wayside inn.
Sometimes they are of the form shown above, but it is equally common for
the board to have four more holes, at the points indicated by dots. I
select the simpler form.

Though "Solitaire" boards are still sold at the toy shops, it will be
sufficient if the reader will make an enlarged copy of the above on a
sheet of cardboard or paper, number the "holes," and provide himself
with 33 counters, buttons, or beans. Now place a counter in every hole
except the central one, No. 17, and the puzzle is to take off all the
c