236 ADJOURNED DISCUSSION IN LONDON 



Col. J. Clibborn : We have heard to-night an immense amount 

 of detailed information as to what is desirable, but nobody has 

 suggested yet the means by which we may attain our object. I do 

 not think there is any doubt that what is desirable is that we should, 

 at all events, have one standard microscope which will fill the con- 

 ditions that have been mentioned. We should at all events have 

 one pattern — it is possible that we may require other patterns — 

 but we at any rate require one pattern of standard microscope,, 

 because it is only possible to manufacture in very large quantities. 

 These instruments cannot be manufactured cheaply, even in large 

 numbers, unless you have suitable machines, and the question is 

 how are we going to arrive at this condition of things. I do not 

 think it can be done by separate manufacturers, because it is not 

 possible that the patterns will all agree. The manufacturers might 

 all join together and form a combination, and perhaps it might 

 be done in that way, but I think the best way is what I suggested 

 12 months ago, namely, that a Committee should be appointed of 

 the ablest men interested in the question, inside and outside the 

 Society, to devote themselves to the design of the standard micro- 

 scope. It should undergo as much criticism as can be brought to 

 bear upon it, and then we should endeavour to get an instrument 

 made and tested. If we do not, I am perfectly certain that the 

 manufacture of the microscope will leave this country and go to 

 the Continent. 



Dr. J. R. Leeson : An important question is that of price. I 

 have been trying for four years to fit up my little laboratory with 

 microscopes, but I cannot get them; at least, if I can get them I 

 cannot find the heart to pay for them. Scientists are not rich people,, 

 and if you are going to popularise the microscope, you must have 

 an instrument that is within the reach of the ordinary individual. 

 If you do not, then the trade will again leave this country. 



Dr. R. Mullineux Walmsley : The last speaker and the last 

 speaker but one have referred to matters with which I have been 

 somewhat associated through the British Science Guild. A Com- 

 mittee has been proposed here to-night, but I would like to inform 

 the proposer that the work he suggests has already been done. The 

 British Science Guild first of all invited well-known users of micro- 

 scopes to schedule their requirements. Having collected and col- 

 lated these schedules, we asked the manufacturers to join the Com- 

 mittee and tell us whether it was possible from their point of view 

 to produce microscopes which would fulfil their requirements. Even- 

 tually by the combination of the scientific men who were using the 

 microscopes and of the manufacturers, we drew up and published 

 specifications for three or four standard instruments for different 

 purposes. We wei-e in the middle of the Great War at the time, 

 and the object was to see whether manufacturers would consider 

 placing such instruments on the market, when peace came, with 

 such added modifications as the progress of time might render desir- 

 able. The question of price was not overlooked, although I do not 

 know that the prices we put down in 1917 can be held to at the 

 present time. 



