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The clockwork mechanism drives two pulleys; round one is wound a thin wire and round the other a silk cord. The thin wire unwinds off the pulley under the impulse of the clockwork and lets fall the wire bands clear of the bottom of the box, thereby releasing the leaflets. In a small compartment adjoining the clockwork a dry cell is held between two spring clips. Leads from this cell are carried into a smali bag of flash-powder, and contacts on the clockwork side are arranged to give a delayed action.

When the box is found unopened on the ground, it is only necessary to reverse the battery end for end in the clips to prevent this powder being fired. Injuries have been caused in certain cases through the omission to take this precaution.

Another pattern of leaflet container, which is of metal and about 3 ft. long, is dropped from aircraft and is illustrated in Figure 64.

19. LEAFLET-CARRYING PARACHUTES

Prior to the use of balloons for this purpose, the Germans dropped leaflets by means of parachutes, the leaflets being carried in bundles