Transcriber’s Notes: Text printed in small capitals has been transcribed as ALL CAPITALS. Italics and bold face text have been transcribed as _text_ and =text=, respectively. Letters in square brackets, [T], [V], [O], [H] and [X] represent letter-shaped symbols rather than actual letters. [Illustration: THE YOUNG TAXIDERMIST.--_See_ page 298.] THE BOY’S OWN BOOK OF INDOOR GAMES AND RECREATIONS A Popular Encyclopædia for Boys BY DR. GORDON STABLES, R.N., C. STANSFELD HICKS, J. N. MASKELYNE, REV. HARRY JONES, M.A., DR. STRADLING, CAPTAIN CRAWLEY, REV. A. N. MALAN, M.A., F.G.S., AND MANY OTHERS EDITED BY G. A. HUTCHISON _WITH OVER SEVEN HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS_ PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY. 1890. [Illustration] [Illustration: PREFATORY NOTE.] [Illustration] In presenting to American youth this carefully-edited volume of home amusements, the publishers are happy in their belief that in the selection and treatment of the subjects chosen the Editor and the accomplished experts who have contributed to its pages have successfully combined, to a degree not commonly found in books prepared for the young, much sound scientific instruction and a large amount of that recreative amusement that seldom fails to awaken an interest both in the youthful mind and in the minds of “children of a larger growth.” In the language of the accomplished Editor, as expressed in his prefatory note to the English edition, the volume is “a veritable recreative text-book, prepared by experts in their several subjects, and treated with sufficient amplitude of detail and thoroughness of exposition to render their respective contributions of very real and permanent educational value. Mere ‘rule of thumb’ is scrupulously avoided, and underlying _principles_ are clearly and intelligently explained. The tyro is led on pleasantly step by step, and almost unconsciously learns many lessons that should stand him in good stead in the battle of life. The wealth of graphic illustrations--of clever pictures that really illustrate--is another and not, we think, the least noteworthy feature of the book.