The only recommendations of this original instrument are, its simple construction and lowness of price. It gives a pleasing view of the object. It is precluded by its form from some of the advantages of the two foregoing instruments, because both the stage and the mirror are confined. This microscope consists of a large exterior brass body, A B, supported on three brass scrolls, which are fixed to the stage F; the stage is supported by three larger scrolls that are screwed to the mahogany pedestal G H. There is a drawer in the pedestal which holds the apparatus. The concave mirror, I, is fitted to a socket in the center of the pedestal. The lower part, B, of the body forms an exterior tube, into which the upper part of the body, C, slides, and may be moved up or down by the hand, so as to bring the magnifiers which are screwed on at D, nearer to, or further from the object.
A LIST OF THE APPARATUS TO CULPEPER’S MICROSCOPE.
Five magnifiers, each fitted in a brass cell; one of these is seen screwed on at D. Six ivory sliders, k, five of them with objects; and a small ivory box, m, containing some spare talcs, and wires for them. A brass tube, N, to hold the concave speculum. A brass box, M, for the same speculum. A fish-pan, c. A set of glass tubes, b. A flat and a concave glass, both fitted to the stage. A brass cone, g, to exclude superfluous light; it applies at the under side of the stage, F. A brass box, p, with plane and concave glasses for living objects. A pair of forceps, q. A steel wire, b, with a pair of nippers at one end, a point at the other, and a small ivory cylinder, h, to fit on the pointed end of the nippers. A convex lens, E, moveable in a brass semicircle; this is affixed to a long brass pin, which fits into a hole, F, on the stage. The uses of the above apparatus have been sufficiently described in the preceding pages.
TO USE THIS MICROSCOPE.
Screw one of the five cells, which contains a magnifying lens, to the end, D, of the body; place the slider i or k, with the objects, between the plates of the slider-holder, K. Then, to attain distinct vision and a pleasing view of the object, adjust the sliding body to the focus of the lens you are using, by moving the upper part, C, gently up and down while you are looking at the object, and regulate the light by the concave mirror, I, below. The image of the objects in this microscope is seen in a field of view of about six inches in diameter; but, in the improved ones before described, it is from about twelve to fifteen inches.
For opake objects, two additional pieces must be used; the first is a cylindrical tube of brass, represented at N, which fits on the cylindrical snout above D of the body: the second piece is the concave speculum, L; this is to be screwed to the lower end of the aforesaid tube. The upper edge of this tube should be made to coincide with the line which has the same number affixed to it as the magnifier you are using; that is, if you are making use of the magnifier marked 5, slide the tube to the circular line on the tube above D, that is marked also with No. 5.
The slider-holder, K, should be removed when you are going to view opake objects, and a plane glass should be placed on the stage in its stead to receive the object; or it may be placed on the nippers, b, the pin of which fits into the hole in the stage.
A DESCRIPTION OF MARTIN’S IMPROVED SOLAR MICROSCOPE, WHICH IS CONSTRUCTED TO EXHIBIT TRANSPARENT AND OPAKE OBJECTS. [Plate V.]
The solar microscope is generally supposed to afford the most entertainment, on account of the wonderful extent of its magnifying power, and the ease with which several persons may view each single object at the same time. The use of it was, however, confined for many years only to transparent objects. About the year 1774, Mr. B. Martin so far improved this instrument, as to render it applicable to opake, as well as to transparent objects, exhibiting the magnified image of either kind on a large screen. Treating of it himself, he says[34], “With this instrument all opake objects, whether of the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdom, may be exhibited in great perfection, in all their native beauty; the lights and shades, the prominences and cavities, and all the varieties of different hues, teints, and colours, heightened by the reflection of the solar rays condensed upon them.” From its enlarged dimensions, transparent objects are also shewn with greater perfection than in the common solar microscope.
[34] Description and Use of an Opake Solar Microscope. 8vo. 1774.