THE CANTERBURY PUZZLES
very little doubt that while a certain number may have improved.
with age, others will have deteriorated and even lost their original
point and bearing. It is curious to find in the Solvamhall records
our familiar friend the climbing snail puzzle, and it will be seen that
in its modern form it has lost half its original subtlety.
On the occasion of some great rejoicings at the Castle, Sir Hugh
was superintending the flying of flags and banners, when somebody
pointed out that a wandering snail was climbing up the flagstaff.
One wise old fellow said :
"They do say, Sir Knight, albeit I hold such stories as mere
fables, that the snail doth climb upwards three feet in the daytime,
but slippeth back two feet by night."
" Then," replied Sir Hugh, " tell us how many days it will take
this snail to get from the bottom to the top of the pole ? "
" By bread and water, I much marvel if the same can be done
unless we take down and measure the staff."
" Credit me," replied the knight, " there is no need to measure
the staff."
Can the reader give the answer to this version of a puzzle that we
all know so well ?
40
