218 The Microscope. 



though certain forms undoubtedly possess advantages over 

 others. A Monocular Body is better than a Binocular for many 

 reasons, though the latter will enable the operator to produce 

 quite as good work as the former, if carefully manipulated. A 

 short body is superior to a long one, so that those possessing the 

 modern six inch telescopic tubes, are better provided than if 

 they had the larger and more expensive ten inch ones. A cen- 

 tering sub stage is a great convenience ; and a stage, rotating in 

 the optical axis of the instrument, almost indispensable. If the 

 latter be supplemented by one with horizontal and vertical 

 movements, which are true ann smooth in operation, the stand 

 may be considered perfect for the work in hand. Perhaps the 

 most perfect instrument now attainable, without being specially 

 constructed for photographing, is the " Ideal " stand of the 

 Messrs Beck; which, with its short body of large .diameter, re- 

 volving stage, and sliding substage ; with a large milled head 

 for fine adjustment, leaves nothing to be desired by the most 

 exacting worker. The Economic Stands, by the same eminent 

 makers, are almost equally desirable, as are Zentmayer's Histo- 

 logical and some of Bausch & Lomb's smaller instruments. 

 Indeed the very cheapest or lowest priced stand now in the mar- 

 ket — the new " Star" by Beck's — is most admirably adapted to 

 the uses of the Photographer, and capable of producing the very 

 highest grade of work. 



Although some work with the eye-piece on the instrument, 

 the contrary is so generally the method adopted, and altogether 

 so by myself, that I shall treat of it alone. Increase of power 

 in this case with a given objective is gained by lengthening the 

 bellows ; an extension of several feet baing entirely practical for 

 lamp-light work, without serious loss of light, and none at all 

 of definition. 'Phe Eye-piece and Draw-tube being removed, it 

 is necessary to line the compound body with some dead black 

 material to prevent reflections, which would cause a." ghost" in 

 the negative. A simple and easy method of doing this is to 

 make a cylinder of black flock paper to fit the tube. This may 

 be procured of almost any paper hanger. The interior of camera 

 and bellows must of course be of dead black to prevent any re- 

 flection, and these are always thus constructed. In the periphery 

 of the fine adjustment screw, a groove must be turned to admit a 



