237. A busman not having room in his stables for eight of his horses increased his stable by one half, and then had room for eight more than his whole number. How many horses had he? AN ANCIENT QUESTION. 238. “Tell us, illustrious Pythagoras how many pupils frequent thy school?” “One-half,” replied the philosopher, “study mathematics, one fourth natural philosophy, one-seventh observe silence, and there are 3 females besides.” How many had he? EVADING THE QUESTION. 239. A lady being asked her age, and not wishing to give a direct answer, said, “I have nine children, and three years elapsed between the birth of each of them. The eldest was born when I was 19 years old, and the youngest now is exactly 19.” How old was she? A ’CENTAGE “CATCH.” 240. A man sells a diamond for £60; the number expressing the profit per cent. is equal to half the number expressing the cost. What was the cost? 241. Having 5½ hours to spare, how far may I go out by a coach at the rate of 8 miles an hour so that I may be back in time, walking at the rate of three miles an hour? The Cross Puzzle. [Illustration] 242. Cut out of a piece of card five pieces similar in shape and proportion to the annexed figures. 1 piece similar to 1 3 pieces " " 2 1 piece " " 3 These five pieces are then to be so joined as to form a cross like that represented by 4. Irish Counting. An Irishman who had lately arrived in the colony was employed as handy man at one of our large suburban mansions. The lady of the house, hearing that some midnight thief had walked off with some of her prize poultry, desired Pat to count them as speedily as possible and to inform her how many there were; he accordingly left off cleaning the buggy, and proceeded to enumerate the feathered bipeds. The lady, getting impatient of waiting for him, repaired to the poultry yard, and noticing him chasing a small chicken, enquired, “Pat, whatever are you doing!” when the Irishman replied; “I’ve counted all the chickens except this one; but the little varmint won’t stand still till I count him.” THE JEW “JEWED.” 243. An old Jew took a diamond cross to a jeweller to have the diamonds re-set, and fearing that the jeweller might be dishonest he counted the diamonds, and found that they numbered 7 in three different ways. Now, the jeweller stole two diamonds, but arranged the remainder so that they counted 7 each way as before. How was it done? 7 6 7 6 5 6 7 4 3 2 1 244. A person wishing to enclose a piece of ground with palisades found that if he set them a foot apart that he should have too few by 150, but if he set them a yard apart he should have too many by 70. How many had he? 245. A mechanic is hired for 60 days on consideration that for each day he works he shall receive 7s. 6d., but for each day he is idle he shall pay 2s. 6d. for his board, and at the end he receives £6. How many days did he work?