The Optical Magic Lantern Journal (June 1889)

De Tho Optical Magio Lantern Journal and Photographio Enlarger. 3 which his own productions are sought to be made known. Starting with the good old-fashioned name by which this instrument has been so long known we have the Macıc LANTERN, upon which an improvement has been sought to be made, and a higher and more scientific tone given by the term OPpricaL LAnTern. Again .we have the PROJECTING LANTERN, the meaning of which is obvious. Then the STEREOPTICON Or DISSOLVING LANTERN (to see solid). PHANTASMAGORIA (ghost-like). Scıorrticon (shadow). TRIPLEXICEN (having three wicks). DioPTric (refraction). BinoPrkic (prismatic lantern). TRINOPTRIC (three with one light). Biuntau (one lantern above the other). Triunial (three lanterns one over the other). Photogenic (light producing). Pamphengos (intense light). Pantaphane (having five lights). Aphengescope (without light). Megascope (to see large). Euphaneron (having four lights). Polyopticon (viewed by a multitude). Oxy-hydrogen Lantern (lime light). Bijou (in small size). Photinus. Cyclexicon (comprehensive). Helioscopic (sun or light). Metamorphoser (moveable stage). Cylindrical (circular body). And numerous others having trade names, which convey no definite meaning as to their construction. Diagram Slides Without the Aid of Photography. READY means of preparing an illustration for the lantern on the spur of the moment is by coating a glass with benzole varnish containinga few drops of india rubber solution. This is quite transparent when dry. As it possesses the property of retaining marks made with Indian ink, it may be either written upon or placed over.any picture or outline, and a tracing made. If carbolic acid (one part to eight of theink) be added, the ink will not only dry more readily, but varnish may be applied over it without any chance of its being discharged. Another and perhaps easier means by which this may be effected consists in wetting a plate of glass by licking it with the tongue. After it has been allowed to dry, it may then be written upon with a fine pen and copying ink, or ordinary writing ink containing a little sugar. The glass thus prepared may be placed over a picture and the desired lines traced upon the glass. The lines will now appear very feeble, but upon examination they will be found to be perfectly formed. In order that they may be seen by the lantern,itisnecessarythatthelinesbe strengthened by more opacity being imparted to them, either over all or, if desired, in certain placesonly. This may be done by gently rubbing over them a tuft of cotton wool charged withlampblack. Caricatures from comic papers may be thus copied and prepared for the lantern allin a few minutes, affording amusement to the spectators. In this way also may diagrams be made to serve as illustrations for a lecture. Its application to geography, by showing any portion of a map, will suggest itself. The Smell of Oil in the Lantern. HO that employs a lantern having an oil lamp as its illuminant but what indulges in strong language, or at any rate thinks it, at the smell occcasionally emitted ? After all is said in favour of the limelight—and no one admits its value or can speak more strongly in its praise than the writer—there are innumerable occasions in which the oil lamp, owing to its readiness is to be preferred. For example, a parlour entertainment of an improptu nature given to the ‘domestic circle or to a few friends who have dropped in to spend a spare half-hour before supper ; an examination of the slides obtained during the outing of the last holiday; the projection on the screen of a few comic slides for the amusement of the children before sending them off to bed; or the illustration of some Bible story by means ofthe numerous excellent slides now so easy to be procured for such a purpose. These and occasions of a like kind are such as are capable of being carried into practical effect much more