12

ADVANTAGES

that in a minute or two the needles which were pre-viously arranged endways become heaped up in awall, with their ends against the extremity of thetray. They are now removed by hundreds at atime, by raising them with a broad iron spatula, onwhich they are retained by the fore-finger of the lefthand. During the progress of the needles towardstheir finished state, this parallel arrangement mustbe repeated many times ; and unless a cheap andexpeditious method had been devised, the expenseof manufacturing needles would have been consi-derably enhanced.

(11.) Another process in the art of making needlesfurnishes an example of one of the simplest contri-vances which can come under the denomination of atool. After the needles have been arranged in themanner just described, it is necessary to separatethem into two parcels, in order that their points maybe all in one direction. This is usually done bywomen and children. The needles are placed side-ways in a heap, on a table, in front of each opera-tor, just as they are arranged by the process abovedescribed. From five to ten are rolled towards thisperson by the forefinger of the left hand ; this sepa-rates them a very small space from each other, andeach in its turn is pushed lengthwise to the right orto the left, according as its eye is on the right or theleft hand. This is the usual process, and in it everyneedle passes individually under the finger of theoperator. A small alteration expedites the processconsiderably : the child puts on the forefinger of itsright hand a small cloth cap or finger-stall, androlling out of the heap from six to twelve needles, he