The Microscope. 51 



have other opinions and preferences, especially with regard to 

 the stand to be chosen, and with the following suggestions. But 

 these are mine. 



Having decided to buy a microscope, what stand shall the 

 beginner select? There are many of many styles, prices and 

 degrees of • xcellence, but if he buys as his own ideas impel, he 

 will probably make mistakes. In the following list of desirable 

 stands, I have tried to mention those American instruments in 

 the order in which I would be willing to own and personally to 

 Use them, giving my reasons for approval or criticism as far as 

 is possible. The reader must of course remember that no ob- 

 jectives are here considered. They will come later. Yet most 

 of the stands have an outfit of objectives selected by the maker, 

 that although good of their class, will be omitted if the reader 

 take my advice, their place being filled by others, and one at a 

 time if necessary. 



The least expensive and the least complicated stands with 

 which any serious work may be done, are the " New Working 

 Microscope,^' by Mr George Wale, and the "Student," by Messrs 

 Bausch and Lomb. Both are built on the same plan, both are 

 objectionable because the arm has too short a curve, thus mak- 

 ing the space above the stage much too limited, and because the 

 body must be extended by a draw tube to be of the standard 

 length. The latter fault is common to all, except the best and 

 largest stands in the market. There seems to be no help for us. 

 The optician cuts the body in two, and at present we have no 

 redress. 



The mirror of the "Student" stand swings above the stage; 

 in the " New Working " instrument it does not, but the latter 

 possesses a coarse adjustment by rack and pinion, while the 

 " Student " stand has the fine adjustment only. The " New 

 Working Microscope " has two eye-pieces, one of which may be 

 used to carry the micrometer. The "Student" has but one. 

 The absence of the coarse adjustment is a fatal objection, and 

 for that reason my choice Would be the "New Working Micro- 

 scope," especially since the price is somewhat less than that of 

 the " Student." But Mr Wale's excellent instrument has not 

 been recently offered for sale. I fear that it has been perman- 

 ently withdrawn from the market, an action much to be re- 

 sretted. 



