The value of such measurements in reference to the real object, when once obtained; is constant for the same objective. It becomes apparent, then, that the value of the divisions seen in the eye-piece micrometer must be found with all the objectives used, and carefully tabulated.
It was Mr. Lister who first proposed to place on the stage of the microscope a divided scale of a certain value. Viewing the scale as a microscopic object, he observed how many of the divisions on the scale attached to the eye-piece corresponded with one or more of a magnified image. If, for instance, ten of those in the eye-piece correspond with one of those in the image, and if the divisions are known to be equal, then the image is ten times larger than the object, and the dimensions of the object ten times less than that indicated by the micrometer. If the divisions on the micrometer and on the magnified scale are not equal, it becomes a mere rule-of-three sum; but in general this trouble is taken by the maker of the instrument, who furnishes a table showing the value of each division of the micrometer for every object-glass with which it will be employed.
Fig. 102.—Blood Corpuscles and Micrometer, magnified 1·3500.
Mr. Jackson’s simple and cheap micrometer is represented in [Fig. 103]. It consists of a slip of glass placed in the focus of the eye-glass, with the divisions sufficiently fine to have the value of the ten-thousandth part of an inch with the quarter-inch object-glass, and the twenty-thousandth with the eighth; at the same time the half, or even the quarter of a division may be estimated, thus affording the means of attaining considerable accuracy, and may be used to supersede the more complicated and expensive screw-micrometer, being handier to use, and not liable to derangement in inexperienced hands.
The positive eye-piece affords the best view of the micrometer, the negative of the object. The former is quite free from distortion, even to the edges of the field; but the object is slightly coloured. The latter is free from colour, and is slightly distorted at the edges. In the centre of the field, however, to the extent of half its diameter, there is no perceptible distortion, and the clearness of the definition gives a precision to the measurement which is very satisfactory.
Fig. 103.—Jackson’s Eye-piece Micrometer.
Short bold lines are ruled on a piece of glass, a, [Fig. 103], to facilitate counting, the fifth is drawn longer, and the tenth still longer, as in the common rule. Very fine levigated plumbago is rubbed into the lines to render them visible; they are then covered with a piece of thin glass, cemented by Canada balsam, to prevent the plumbago from being wiped out. The slip of glass thus prepared is secured in a thin brass frame, so that it may slide freely into its place.
Slips are cut in the negative eye-piece on each side, so that the brass frame may be pressed across the field in the focus of the eye-glass, as at m; the cell of which should have a longer screw than usual, to admit of adjustment for different eyes. The brass frame is retained in its place by a spring within the tube of the eye-piece; and in using it the object is brought to the centre of the field by the stage movements; the coincidence between one side of it and one of the long lines is made with great accuracy by means of the small screw acting upon the slip of glass. The divisions are then read off as easily as the inches and tenths on a common rule. The operation, indeed, is nothing more than the laying of a rule across the body to be measured; and it matters not whether the object be transparent or opaque, mounted or unmounted, if its edges can be distinctly seen, its diameter can be taken.