10 



On a Dissecting Microscope^ &c. 

 By James Smith. 



(Read November 14tli, 1860.) 



This microscope^ the general design of which I hope, with the 

 assistance of the accompanying drawings, to make sufficiently 

 plain, I consider to be a modification of the one knoAvn as 

 Slack's Dissecting Microscope, and which is figured and de- 

 scribed in Quekett's ' Practical Treatise/ It may be as well to 

 state in the first instance, that the chief novelty in the con- 

 struction of my instrument, is the method of fixing on the 

 hand-rests to the stage, by means of hinges — and in such a 

 manner that, when not in use, they fold down at the sides — 

 thus giving the advantage of fixed rests, available in a moment, 

 while, at the same time, the microscope, when they are let 

 down, is not larger than it would be if they were altogether 

 separate from it. They also, w hen not in use, form with the 

 other parts, a box (as in Mr. Slack's model) in which the 

 dissecting troughs and any other accessory apparatus may be 

 packed away, when necessary. 



No. 1. 



The above drawing shows a front elevation of the microscope 

 as set up for use, and in the following brief description I shall 

 endeavour to give as clear an idea of it as I can, only premising 

 that I have given the various measm^ements for the sake of 

 greater distinctness, as I presume that the actual size of any 

 particular instrument must, in some measure, depend upon 

 the requirements of the operator. I think, however, that the 

 one hereafter described will be found very convenient for all 

 ordinary purposes. 



