SCIOPTICON MANUAL.
147
ent disk, covered with figures in varied positions, is
revolved with less rapidity in the opposite direction.
Our improvement consists in
having the distance of the crank
wheel adjustable, a,nd in having
only one band doubled back to
run both wheels, so that the ten¬
sion of the band can be regulated,
while both effect wheels are sub¬
ject to a band of like tension.
Four adjustable disks of figures,
viz. : the Fishers, the Skaters, the
Giant’s Ladder, and the Bottle Imp, are now included
in this new apparatus; each, wTien used, being held in
place by a wire ring sprung into a surrounding groove.
The Dancing Skeleton.—This effect is produced by
having, say six transparencies of a skeleton, in as many
different postures, set in a large disk,
as shown in Fig. 34. Giving this wheel
1 of a revolution at a time, brings the
figures one by one into position to be
projected upon the screen, while a re¬
volving opaque disk hides the passing
off of one, and the coming on of another,
making it appear as if the same figure
were keeping time to the accompanying music, by strik¬
ing grotesque attitudes.
The thousands who witnessed this striking feature of
Prof. Pepper’s late American lecture tour, seemed fully
to enjoy the worth of their money.
It is but fair, however, to observe that the machine is
complicated and cumbersome, and that it doubtless fas¬
cinates more for its novelty than for its intrinsic value