  Take a match-box and place it upright edge-wise and place two matches in each side between the inner and outer box, heads up. They must be inserted deeply enough to stick firmly. Place a third match cross-wise between them and it will stay there by the pressure the latter exercises on them. Now light the middle of the horizontal match and wait. What do you think will happen? Ask the bystanders which will first catch fire? The natural conclusion they will draw will be the following. From the middle the frame will spread of course to the two extremities and light the other two matches, probably this side first where the two phosphorous heads meet. Well, nothing of the sort happens. When the volume of the burning match has diminished, and consequently its rigidity also, the force of its resistance grows weaker as the combustion proceeds. A moment comes when the two vertical matches, trying to assume again their original position, throw off, with a sway, the burning horizontal match. The burning match was rendered flexible in the middle, and is not at all burned at the ends, and the two matches remain standing as before. |
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