punkas

-- By J. WALLACE, C.E. -- The mechanics of punkas; experiments on their rate of swing.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 595, May 28, 1887 Various

The constant motion of the punkas in the saloons, and an unlimited supply of ice-water was all that saved us.

The Darrow Enigma Melvin Linwood Severy

To summarize; all punkas of the same size or surface, and going at the same speed, require the same amount of pulling.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 595, May 28, 1887 Various

If punkas were pulled from both sides, they might be made very much lighter than they are at present, but for the sake of simplicity a single pull is preferred.

Scientific American Supplement, No. 595, May 28, 1887 Various

Within twenty days of the coming of these welcome little birds it is possible to dispense with punkas.

A Bird Calendar for Northern India Douglas Dewar 1916

Tailor-shops, laundries, restaurants, and barber-shops, where swinging punkas waft the odor of bay rum through open doors, suggest a scene from some forgotten story-book or the stage-setting for an Elizabethan play.

The Great White Tribe in Filipinia 1914

The punkas are long strips of cloth, fastened to bamboo poles that are suspended within a short distance of the tables.

Nellie Bly's Book: Around the World in Seventy-Two Days 1890

From the ceiling were suspended embroidered punkas, that invention of the East which brings comfort during the hottest part of the day.

Nellie Bly's Book: Around the World in Seventy-Two Days 1890

We were fanned by great swinging punkas during the dinner hour, the meal being an excellent one, after which we went out to see the town, the Indian shops under the hotel coming in that night for the largest share of our attention.

A Ball Player's Career Being the Personal Experiences and Reminiscensces of Adrian C. Anson Adrian Constantine Anson 1887

In the interior, in the distressing hot weather of India, Carleton found this the land of punkas, tatties, and odors both sweet and otherwise.

Charles Carleton Coffin War Correspondent, Traveller, Author, and Statesman William Elliot Griffis 1885