2642 



Journal of Applied Microscopy 



open field directly under the objective. This permits the middle or any part of 

 a large document to be examined microscopically, which otherwise would be im- 

 possible for lack of room to bring such parts into the microscopic field on the 

 stage of the ordinary instrument. Such a special stand was devised for this 

 purpose a number of years ago by the late William E. Hagan of Troy, New York. 



The document microscope should be provided with rings having openings on 

 the lower side placed back of the stage to hold a document of reasonable size 

 when carefully rolled which will allow the edge or any part to be drawn out 

 under the objective for observation. These rings obviate the necessity of fold- 

 ing, creasing or injuring the paper, and permit it to be reversed so that the image 

 appears right side up. This is especially desirable when examination is to be 

 made by those not accustomed to using the microscope, and who cannot prop- 

 erly interpret the reversed image. 



Those unfamiliar with the microscope should understand when making a 

 microscopic examination exactly what they are looking at and how much of it 

 thev are seeing. It is not usually understood that the image is reversed and 



Fig. 7. — Pen Points: Ordinary Falcon; Ladies' Falcon; Broad Stub; 

 Ordinary Stub, and old corroded Steel Pen. 



that the field of vision is restricted in proportion to the magnification. Many 

 expect when looking into a microscope at writing to see the whole page greatly 

 enlarged instead of a small portion of one letter or word. Observers should be 

 seated, should not be hurried, and should take time enough to get the eye just at 

 the proper point. Many look into a microscope and see nothing because they 

 are not properly instructed. 



If the examination does not require the determination of tints and shades of 

 color, artificial light may be provided if necessary. Court room light is fre- 

 quently quite dim and a good lamp placed in proper relation to the microscope 

 may be of great assistance. 



A special eye-shade attached to the top of the microscope tube to shield the 

 eye not used for observation, is an assistance to those who are not accustomed 

 to microscopic observations. To accommodate varying eyes it is also well to 

 advise each observer to adjust the focus slightly by the fine adjustment until the 

 object is perfectly distinct. 



The amount of magnification required depends upon the question to be deter- 

 mined, but great magnification is not only not usually necessary but may actually 



