A later book that combines magic and scientific experiments. The emphasis of this collection is more on the scientific, with experiments with gases, phosphorus, metals, crystallisation and even ‘nihilist bombs’. Many are also associated with magic: invisible inks, inexhaustible bottles, colour changing flowers and the diving imp, often featured in early conjuring books. Also featured are some of the important optical illusions of 19th century theatre: stage ghosts, a version of Pepper’s Ghost using glass to reflect an actor’s image onto the stage and ‘Decapitation no murder’. This is a description of the Sphinx Illusion, showing a seeming decapitated but living head on a table, which is combined with mirrors to conceal the head’s body from the audience.