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THE ENTOMOLOGIST S RECORD. 



natural powers of sight, to properly set the smaller species. After 

 considerable trouble and expense I have devised and had constructed 

 an instrument which has proved invaluable, and the knowledge that 

 many brother entomologists may be glad to have the benefit of my 

 invention and experience, leads me to offer a figure and description of 

 tlio instrument, so that they may benefit thereby. 



Diagrammatic representation of instrument.- — 

 A, lens ; B, hinge on which A works ; C, hollow 

 joint into which B C slides ; D, ratchet which 

 moves the crossbar B C up and down ; E, screw 

 to work D ; F, heavy brass stand into which the 

 upright is screwed. Scale, about ^ actual size. 



It consists of a brass stand F, heavy enough to prevent any 

 possibility of tilting, into the centre of which the brass upright 

 DF is screwed. D is a ratchet working up and down so that the 

 lens A may be raised or lowered. E is the screw by which the ratchet 

 is elevated or depressed. The cross-bar is made of two hollow brass 

 rods, the right-hand portion attached to the upright D F, the left- 

 hand portion attached to the lens A. A slit in the left-hand part 

 allows it to slip readily, under slight pressure, into C, and to remain 

 firmly fixed there. The lens A Avorks on a hinge at B, and is free to 

 move in any direction. The focus of the lens may be adjusted by 

 raising or depressing the lens by means of the screw E. 



To use the instrument for setting insects, place the setting board 

 under the lens A, look through the lens at the insect you are about to 

 set, focus by means of E, and then go to work in the ordinary manner. 

 The magnifying power may be varied by the use of lenses of different 

 powers ; the one represented in the diagram enlarges objects from two 

 to three times their natural size. The height of the top cross-bar is 

 amply sufficient to allow the right hand to work beneath it. 



As the proof of the pudding is in the eating, I can only add that 

 the instrument has been of the greatest service to me. Small insects 

 may be set with the greatest readiness and facility, and there can be 

 no doubt that those whose eyes are not so young as they used to be 

 have one excuse less, when they attempt to justify themselves for not 

 studying the smaller species, as the ease and readiness with which the 

 instrument can be focussed for varying sights is such that it may 

 readily be taken advantage of by all. 



I need scarcely point out the utility of the instrument for other 

 purposes besides the above. That of dissection and similar operations 

 will immediately occur to every one. 



The instrument is made in three parts, viz. : (1) The base F. 

 (2) The upright and cross-arm to C. (3) The lens and cross-arm 

 from B to C. These fit readily into a small mahogany case, ex- 

 tei'iially not unlike a microscope case. I need not say that I shall bo 

 pleased to give any further information on the subject to anyone 

 desiring it. — The Broadway, London Fields. Nurember 3ril, 1895. 



