phantasmagoria

A fantastic sequence of haphazardly associative imagery, as seen in dreams or fever.

A constantly changing scene composed of numerous elements.

Fantastic imagery as represented in art.

A fantastic series or medley of illusive or terrifying figures or images.

Specifically

An exhibition of images or pictures by the agency of light and shadow, as by the magic lantern or the stereopticon; especially, such an exhibition so arranged by a combination of two lanterns or lenses that every view dissolves or merges gradually into the next.

The apparatus by means of which such an exhibition is produced; a magic lantern or a stereopticon.

An optical effect produced by a magic lantern. The figures are painted in transparent colors, and all the rest of the glass is opaque black. The screen is between the spectators and the instrument, and the figures are often made to appear as in motion, or to merge into one another.

The apparatus by which such an effect is produced.