The “Mermaid’s Head.”
M. Alber, the prestidigitateur, describes in La Nature a variant of a trick which, although old in principle, has recently been brought out in a new and attractive form.
Upon a light tripod placed in an alcove or recess hung with some sort of a red fabric, such as cotton velvet, stands an aquarium in which gold fish are observed swimming about, and in the center of which is seen a living female head that moves, smiles, and seems to be absolutely at its ease, although deprived of a body and immersed in water. A reference to the figure will show how the apparatus is arranged.
The tripod consists of three gilded copper rods fixed at the bottom to a triangular platform and supporting at the top another platform of nickel-plated metal. At their point of union the three rods, which are firmly brazed to each other, seem to be united by a simple ribbon tied with a bow knot.
Fig. 61.—The “Mermaid’s Head.”
From the base to the ribbon there is an empty space, but above the latter there are fixed between the rods three triangular glass mirrors backed with thin and resistant steel plate. The nickel-plated top is movable. Previous to the entrance of the spectators, the woman whose head is to appear, places herself between the mirrors, crosses her legs and rests upon her heels. It is impossible for the apparatus to topple over, since it is firmly screwed to the floor. The nickel-plated top, which is in two pieces, embraces the neck so closely, when put in place, that the joint can scarcely be seen at a short distance. Since the mirrors reflect the floor, which is covered like the walls, it seems as if it were the back of the alcove that is visible between the rods at the upper part; and the entire apparatus appears to be absolutely open.
As for the aquarium trick, that is simple. The aquarium is an adaptation of one that has long been found in the market, and in which are perceived birds that seem to be flying about in the water amid fishes.
The crystal glass aquarium, which is manufactured especially for the purpose, consists of two receptacles. The central one of these is open at the bottom to receive the head, while the outer one is open at the top and contains the water and fishes. As the glass is exceedingly transparent, it is almost impossible to detect the empty space in the center.
The aquarium is placed upon four small nickel-plated supports that permit of the introduction of air into the internal receptacle. The position of the decapitated woman is an exceedingly cramped one, and it is therefore necessary for her to make her exit from the tripod between each exhibition in order to take a well-earned rest.