86 



" microscopy " (see Fig. 5). Yon have before you now for the first time in 

 the history of the microscope a thoroughly sound full-sized instrnment at 

 the same price as a student's microscope. I must say that we are all 

 greatly indebted for the construction of this instrument to the energy and 

 perseverance of Mr. Charles Lees Curties. I will, if you will allow me, 

 just go over some of the points adopted in this new microscope. I say 

 adopted, for in a new microscope there must of necessity be much that is 

 old in design, Ac. All that can be expected is that some of the points are 

 to be new. This, therefore, will bo found to be an aggregation of late im- 

 provements with some uew excrescences added. Let us begin with the foot 



Ufl/ufa 



Fig. 5. 



(a most important part). All microscope feet may be classified under four 

 heads : 1st. The simple tripod, illustrated by the Powell form. 2nd. The 

 plate and uprights. A flat plate with pillar or pillars, as in the Beck model, 

 and a plate with flat uprights in the Andw. Ross. 3rd. The bent claw, a 

 very common and bad form, used by many makers. 4th. The heavy horse- 

 shoe, the usual Continental model. The plate and uprights is a good form, 

 but was not adopted, because it is too heavy and expensive. The bent claw 

 is a bad form. It is suprising that it has not disappeared long ago. It is 

 heavy, easily capsized, and while seemingly a tripod, often rocks on four 

 points. The heavy horseshoe which, until lately, was always fitted to 

 students' microscopes, has nothing to recommend it. A designer must 

 indeed be hard up for resources who can only obtain steadiness by weight. 

 There can be no question but that the tripod in its simplest form is the best. 

 Of all the ways of utilizing it, that adopted by Messrs Powell and Lealand 



