It will be observed that the trick above described is, in some of its parts, very similar to that described at page [337]. The mechanism of the wrist-trap will be found explained in the next chapter. In the meantime the student may produce the same effect without using a trap at all, by means of the sleight described at page [294].
Fig. 197.
Fig. 198.
The Cone and Bouquet.—This is another form of the cone trick, involving the use of rather more elaborate apparatus. The cone in this case is about five inches in height by three at the base, and tapers very slightly. It may be either of boxwood, as in the trick last described, or the block may be of any hard wood, and the hollow shell of tin to fit, each blacked and polished, so as to look exactly alike. It is used in conjunction with a paper cover as before, and two little bunches of flowers, exactly alike, and of such a size as to be just covered by the hollow shell. Each of these little bouquets is made upon a tin framework, consisting of a wire arch springing from a flat saucer-like base. (See [Fig. 197].) A pedestal and cover complete the apparatus. The pedestal a (see [Fig. 198]) is cylindrical; and about six inches in height, by four across the top. Its upper surface consists of a circular plate of tin, working up and down piston-wise in the pedestal. This is forced upwards by a spiral spring, but yields to pressure, sinking vertically to a depth of four or five inches when necessary. The upper edge of the pedestal is slightly turned in all round, so that the top may not be pressed out altogether by the force of the spring. An outer casing of tin, b, fits over a, just so tightly as to resist the upward pressure of the spring when forced down by any object between the pedestal and this casing. The cover, c, is about double the height of a, and by means of a bayonet catch (see page [352]) may be lifted off either with or without b at pleasure.
Fig. 199.
Fig. 200.