Comments on: Independent 7,778/Crosophile

By: Auntiquarian

Auntiquarian — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:03:01 +0000

I thought the Golding theme was elegantly introduced, particularly the arrangement of 1A and 29A. I struggled (i.e. failed) to get BIOMASS: ‘bits’ is a bit of a stretch as a synonym for ‘initial letters’ and the clue as a whole as a literal definition is somewhat cloudy. But these are just attempted excuses for my inadequacy.

‘Instance of traffic’ might refer to any deal, not necessarily one involving drugs.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 08:10:38 +0000

I was going to say that I liked POTASSIUM in particular, and the definition is entirely fair: put a small piece of potassium into water and you’ll get a display that flashling would be proud of.

By: Crosophile

Crosophile — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 07:53:12 +0000

Wil, glad it was mostly enjoyed. I rarely remember my own clues (giving me a very authentic solving experience for my own puzzles!) and I admit DEAL was the last I got, too. (Triple definition, as others have correctly noted.) Nonetheless Chambers specifically and correctly defines it as ‘soft wood’, and incidentally it is also softwood, though not as soft as balsa say which, unlike deal, is hardwood. Hope that clarifies things!
Re Potassium, most elements don’t create a flame on contact with water for instance. Potassium is more reactive than any other element except for Rubidium, Caesium or Francium so I think it’s fair to describe it as reactive. (Incidentally some elements, the noble gases such as helium) don’t react at all.)

By: Wil Ransome

Wil Ransome — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 23:49:57 +0000

Largely enjoyed, but I took ages over DEAL and even having put it in I wasn’t sure about it. Surely deal is a hard wood so it will be hard to cut, and to say ‘it’s not hard to cut it’ seems odd. And I was surprised by the statement in 19ac that potassium is a reactive element: surely all elements are reactive, in that they react with something. Perhaps I’m missing some special quality of potassium.

By: flashling

flashling — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 22:05:25 +0000

Had a bit of a head cold today and so struggled with this and didn’t finish despite spotting the theme early on, but as I’m ridiculouly I’ll read missed several thematic entries. Hope brain fog is gone by Thursday. Cheers Ali and ChrisP

By: Crosophile

Crosophile — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 20:15:34 +0000

Thanks for the blog, Ali and for spotting the Centenary occasion. Glad you enjoyed the puzzle. And thanks for all the comments. I think ‘Spire’ was the last remaining thematic reference to find.

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 19:38:09 +0000

Spire is also a reference

By: Bamberger

Bamberger — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 16:56:45 +0000

Way beyond my ability level -only got half a dozen out but only real gripe is 1a where I don’t think that a winner would really boast “I am gold” -I’ve won gold , I’m the best but I am gold? I don’t think so.

By: Kathryn's Dad

Kathryn's Dad — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:53:08 +0000

Thanks, Ali. Enjoyed this one and its mini-theme, although several of the references escaped me. I wasn’t keen on the definition of MANATEES either, but a small quibble in a pleasing puzzle.

By: malc95

malc95 — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:16:32 +0000

Thanks Ali.

Another reference is in the clues to 12 & 13a – “Darkness Visible”.
It’s a pity Crosophile couldn’t squeeze “The Pyramid” into 24a somehow – or even the “Egyptian Journal”.