82 SOIOPT ICON MANUAL. 



that given for water colors : the same kinds of brushes, 

 dabbers, and the same list of colors are used. The paints 

 employed are sold in tubes ; mastic varnish diluted with 

 turpentine is used as a vehicle, sugar of lead as a drier. 

 Comic or slip slides are generally painted on two pieces 

 of glass, one of which is firmly fixed in the frame, the 

 other movable; these glasses are so adjusted, that when 

 the sliding glass is pulled out, an effect is produced which 

 differs entirely from that shown when the glass is pushed 

 in; as, for example, "The Windy Day;" the lady is 

 seen passing along, fashionably dressed and equipped; 

 the slip being drawn, she is shown in sad plight by the 

 turned parasol, loss of false hair, bonnet, &c. ; or a 

 beautiful lily or tulip is seen ; the slip is drawn, and a 

 lovely fairy seems to float up from the flower. Chroma- 

 tropes are constructed of two circular pieces of glass 

 painted from the centre to the circumference of the 

 circle with variously tinted rays and patterns, these are 

 framed in brass frames, having grooves around them 

 turned face to face, and when made to revolve reversely 

 throw out beautiful and brilliant hues; according to the 

 way in which they are made to turn, they expand or 

 contract. 



Statuary gives a much better effect, if the glass around 

 it is covered with some opaque paint. Lampblack 

 ground very fine with mastic varnish, a few drops of 

 oil of cloves, and then brought to the right consistency 

 with turpentine, is perhaps the best, as it does not rub 

 off. "Opaque," an article manufactured by Mr. Gihon, 

 of Philadelphia, is more easily applied, being used with 

 water, and answers every purpose. 



Figures which appear on the screen as black shadows, 

 may be painted on the glass with these materials; or, to 

 produce the same effect, designs may be cut from paper 



