MARVELS OF MINUTENESS.

Shannon News, 17 April 1923, Page 4

MARVELS OF MINUTENESS.

CHAIN SMALL ENOUGH TO FAffJEN ROUND FLEA’S NECK. Sir W. Armstrong, the great gunmaker had *n exhibition in 1878, a machine for taking measurements that did its work os nicely that the mil onth part of an inch couid be ascertained with as much precision as an inch or a foot. At the same exhibition a Mr. A. M. Obcrlong showed a balance so nicely adjusted as to weigh accurately the one-thousandth part of a grain. Oswaldus Northingenus, an art st, who lived during the reign of Pope Paul V., about 1610, is said to have made 600 plates and dish.s of pewter which were of such diminutive proportions as to admit of the whole lot be’ng hidden upon the inside of the stone of a common peach. Mark Scarlost, a blacksmith, who lived under the reign of Queen Elizabeth, made a chain of 45 links, to which lie attached a padlock made of steel and brass, consisting of eleven pieces bos des the key. The chain was so small as to freely admit of being fastened about the neck of a common everyday flea, and the apparatus, flea, chain, padlock, key, and all, weighed but a grain and a-half when exhibited before the wondering Royalty on a plate of poli: hed s'lver.

A Ran Francisco professor exhibited some years ago a perfectly trained team of fleas, drawing' a miniature tally-ho coach’ made of gold, with all four wh els perfect, each turning on its axle.

All t.lie elite of Ran Francisco witnessed the professor’s wonderful exhibition of his control over these frisky littl ■ pets, and all were unsparing in their praises of the queer little team, the professor, and the golden coach