Fig. 266.
2. The “Wrist” or “Pressure” Trap.—With this form of trap the use of a cord is unnecessary, the trap being worked from the surface of the table, by pressure upon a particular spot. The manner of its construction will become clear upon an inspection of [Figs. 263, 264]. [Fig. 263] represents the under side of the trap; a is the flap, working upon a spring hinge b b, as already explained in the case of the plain trap; c c is an oblong piece of metal, cut out of and lying flush with the surface-plate, and working upon an ordinary hinge at d. When c is pressed down, the crosspiece e, which is soldered to it, presses down the lever f, and this in turn acting upon the shorter lever g, which is fixed at right angles to the rod upon which the flap a is hinged, causes the latter to open.
The mode of using the wrist trap is as follows:—The performer has occasion, we will suppose, to cause the disappearance of an orange, as for instance, in the “Bran and Orange” trick, described at page [335]. Placing the orange upon the flap a, he places both hands round it as though to pick it up between them. (See [Fig. 265].) In this position the under side of the hand furthest from the audience (see [Fig. 266], showing the right hand removed), is just over c, and pressing gently upon it, causes the flap to open, and the orange to fall through; the position of the hands completely veiling the operation. The operator now leaves the table, still holding his hands as though having the orange between them, and after a due interval, brings them closer and closer together, at last showing that it has vanished.
Fig. 267.
The wrist trap is generally worked by the performer standing at the side of the table, and the traps are therefore made right-handed and left-handed, according to the end at which they are intended to be placed, the rule being that c must be so placed with reference to a, as to be when in use under the hand furthest from the spectators. [Fig. 267] illustrates this difference of make, to suit the one or the other end of the table.
Fig. 268.
3. The “Rabbit” or “Dove” Trap.—This, as its name indicates, is a trap for causing the disappearance of a rabbit or pigeon. The opening is in this case oval, measuring about eight inches by six, and closed by a double flap, divided down the middle (see [Fig. 268], representing the under side of the trap.) It has no string, the animal being simply pushed down through the trap under cover either of a second rabbit, or of a piece of paper in which the victim is supposed to be wrapped. As the rabbit trap requires considerable space, and, moreover, involves the necessity of some sort of an inclosure within the table to prevent an unexpected reappearance of the animal, it is a convenient plan to devote to it a small special table. This should be circular; about thirty-two inches in height, and sixteen to eighteen in diameter. The upper part of the table must form a circular wooden box, about eight inches in depth, with an opening behind to get out the rabbit. The table may, like the principal table, have a servante behind it, which will greatly increase its utility. The depth of the upper part may be concealed by a hanging fringe; the general appearance of the table (seen from the back) being as shown in [Fig. 269]. A table of this class makes a very pretty side table, and may be balanced on the opposite side of the stage by another of similar appearance, but designed for some different purpose.