THE MAGIC DISC. 547 



the so-called ' magic disc ' or ' Phenakistokope/ fig. 298. 

 It consists of a circular disc having as many apertures, 

 at equal distances from one another, near the edge of 

 the disc, as there are figures of the object. The figures 

 are placed in a narrower circle, so that each is opposite 

 to an aperture. This disc is connected by the middle 

 to a handle round which it can be made to revolve 

 rapidly. The handle is held in the left hand, the side 



FIG. 298 (^ real size), 



with the figures presented to a mirror, and the eye 

 applied to one of the holes. When the disc is turned 

 by applying the right hand to the edge, the successive 

 holes pass the eye very rapidly, and, as each hole is 

 passing the eye, the figure below it becomes visible 

 for an instant in the mirror, and this image persists 

 until the next makes its appearance, into which it 

 gradually merges, so that all together produce the im- 

 pression of one and the same object. 



The same effect is produced by the i zoetrope 7 or 

 ' wheel of life,' fig. 299. This is a kind of drum made 



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