The Microscope. 79 



Model United States Hospital " and Messrs Baush and Lomb's 

 ^' Professional." Both are beautiful instruments, and with either 

 any microscopist should be contented. Any reader capable of 

 using either of these stands to the best purpose is capable of 

 making an intelligent selection. His knowledge of the good and 

 the best would lead him aright. 



The same words apply even more strongly to the " Congress " 

 and the " Professional " of Mr Bulloch and to the " American 

 Centennial " of Mr Zentmayer. All are magnificent, each is beau- 

 tiful, but even here there is a choice; one being perfectly adapted 

 to work that the others may do less readily. Any expression of 

 preference on my part would be unnecessary, for each is as nearly 

 perfect as the human brains and hands of its designer can make 

 it. Which is better adapted to the needs of the purchaser, that 

 purchaser must decide for himself, These instruments are the 

 best in the world. 



All the foregoing are American stands. The reader should not 

 get the idea that the writer is in a permanently critical mood 

 concerning British microscopes, as he is in regard to invertebrate 

 French and German instruments. That is not the case. The 

 majority of British stands are excellent. Their workmanship 

 is good, their design commendable, and their utility as great as 

 that of American models. But they are no better in any of these 

 particulars. Then why should the microscopist travel thousands 

 of miles for what he can obtain of equal excellence at his own 

 door ? I can see no good reason in such a journey for such an 

 object, and my advice would be that he stay at home, unless he 

 desire to travel in that beautiful country to widen his mental 

 horizon, to expend his mind, and to obtain such a liberal edu- 

 cation as no college can give him, and no library store up for his 

 use. 



When the microscope is received from the dealer it will be in 

 a case, with a lock and key which are often mentioned in the 

 catalogues as if they were rare and unfamiliar things. After the 

 box has been lifted to the table by the brass handle at the top, 

 the door is opened, and the owner glances within, his heart beat- 

 ing a little faster, and pleasant anticipations bringing a pleasant 

 expression to his face. The instrument will probably have the 

 front toward the back of the case, therefore turned away from 

 the microscopist. At first acquaintance it will turn its back on 

 you in more senses than one. 



