The Atlantic Puzzler

By Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

by Emily Cox and Henry Rathvon

DREAM ANALYSIS

In analyzing the following account of a dream, solvers will find that it actually consists of the 18 Across clues to this month’s puzzle. The clues are strung together in haphazard order; to determine their placement in the diagram, solvers should use the Down clues as guides. Answers include two proper words. Punctuation (especially in the narrative) may be used deceptively.

We are much indebted to solver Phil Content of Sherman Oaks, California, for helping to create the idea for this puzzle.

ACROSS

I had a fantastic dream: a bunch of bugs played music on a horn, and insect-conducted bands improvised tunes. I dreamed I joined in a tempestuous dance, headed by female gnats whirling round a ring. In a cape strengthened and interknit in weeds, a nun rolled tires round Satan (chiefly shaded in phantom breeches, a long fur cloak).

Sleep is strange: a bird, grotesquely tarred, beat a snare. Many a ring snake, present in writhing bands, making a noise of musical notes, transported men.

I— gad!— I dreamed I socked Anne silly. Working one part free, disentangling drapes . . .

. . . I rose up in a state of wild confusion, agonised.

Figure it out.

DOWN

1. It’s a sailing ship, silly (5)

2. Taking evidence of dreaming round (7)

3. Last of the light antelope (5)

4. It’s a CIA shot of the East (7)

5. Half-asleep in the sack, made a sort of honking noise (6)

6. On girl’s face, funny-looking dimples will be seen (8)

7. Supple climber is uninitiated (6)

8. Official document has permit expunged (7)

9. Bird going up north for some food (4)

10. Chance for study in exotic cacti (8)

11. Flabby young elephant rolled over on top of a Spaniard (7)

12. Protein found in plant I generated (7)

13. You will find me in dense, teeming territory (7)

14. Loud noise made by skybound copter’s aft propeller (6)

15. Superior rose in being developed (6)

16. Scattered snow falls (4)

17. Presto —a top-hat houses a furry animal (5)

18. Ruffles for necklines? (5)

Note: The instructions above are the special instructions for this month’s puzzle. It is assumed that you know how to decipher clues. For a complete introduction to clue-solving, write to The Atlantic Reprint Department, enclosing a self-addressed, stamped envelope.

The Solution to last month’s Puzzler appears on page 101.

Answers to the February Puzzler, “SPELLING BEE”

The Spelling Bee’s word is “nectar.”

1. JERK-IN 2. STOCKS (double def.) 3. NAUGHT (y) 4. JE-JUNE 5. (t)EX(t)-HUME 6. S(ACRE)D 7. ALBINO (anag.) 8. SIMIAN (anag.) 9. FLUKES (double def.) 10. HOM(AG)E 11. DUP(L)E-X 12. MUS-LIN (nil and sum rev.) 13. GAM-BIT 14. FIANCÉ (anag.) 15. 0(RI0)LE 16. T-URBAN 17. TINGLE (hidden) 18. HAMPER (double def.) 19. TAR-TAN 20. WAGNER (anag.) 21. SECOND (double def.) 22. C(A-RN)AL 23. MU-FTIS (fits anag.) 24. RO(BUS)T (tor rev.) 25. PATHOS (anag.) 26. WRA(I)TH 27. RHODES (anag.) 28. DA(ZZ)LE 29. RADIUM (anag.) 30. BICEPS (hidden peripherally) 31. DR(I-PP)Y 32. BARTOK (anag.) 33. KO-BOLD 34. COWA-RD 35. YEOMAN (anag.) 36. VAN-DAL (lad rev.) 37. GOB-LET (bog rev.)