BARE BONES

Our Bare Bones Crossword is unique because you have to complete the grid – numbers and squares – as well. We have inserted four black squares and four clue numbers to get you going. The crossword has a four-way symmetry: both top and bottom and left and right match, so you can fill in 12 more squares straight away. There is a prize of a Collins Pocket Thesaurus. Send your solution to: Bare Bones Puzzle No.567, The Irish Mail on Sunday, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Entries must arrive by Friday (photocopies not accepted). The winner of Bare Bones No.566 is Andrea Cuthbert, Ladysbridge, Co. Cork. Across 1 Everything has loud start in autumn 4 Bowl, when found in a receptacle 7 Register a freshwater fish 9 Amaze by throwing nuts around 10 Soldier has a book – it’s huge 11 Meagre article, unfinished at home 12 Rip-off boy goes to place of confinement 13 Dig up doctor at the border 14 Alcoholic drink generates character 18 Outcome is a new form of lustre 20 Fellow has to join performance, that’s true 21 Transplant can be hard work 22 Written test gets old in the morning 23 Object to church as an irritation 24 Organised tour around duke’s first house 25 Contented with simple form of accommodation Down 2 Stare wildly at flower 3 Yearn to extend a period in jail (Two words) 4 Start being moved around 5 Fracas – flipped, having lost a winter accessory 6 Famous as a piece of music? 7 Resentful at dessert producing mixed emotions 8 Police operation is a pain 15 Growth seen at a factory 16 Get drunk fast 17 British country that’s rather dull 18 Blade that can be used either way 19 Gain knowledge of renal layout