The Microscope. 63 



had no other but a woman's reason : '1 think him so because I 

 think him so.' " But I was mistaken in ever}^ particular. Where 

 I was disposed to criticise the Griffith stand is exactly where it 

 needs no criticism. The pictures which I had seen of the instru- 

 ment lead me to think that the old sajing was true, that "A 

 marline spike could not be used as a cambric needle, nor a cam- 

 bric needle as a marline spike." The actual instrument, how- 

 ever, is graceful ; it is built on sound scientific principles, and 

 it possesses a greater number of essential conveniences than any 

 other stand of its price that I have ever examined. To be able 

 to place it in a small box b}' simpl}^ removing the foot, and to 

 be able to carry it in one hand to the ends of the earth, are no 

 small items in its favor. It is, as Mr. B. F. Quimby has said, 

 pretty nearly the traveling stand that you called for in a recent 

 editorial note. 



The removable foot is transformed into an excellent centring 

 and decentring turn-table by placing it on an upright standard 

 provided for it in the case. To receive a ten dollar turn-table 

 as a present when buying a stand is something that I never 

 dreamed of, but I find the realit}^ very pleasant. 



The foot is screwed to the pillar in a moment, and when the 

 mirror is turned down in position the stand is ready for the 

 oibjective. The substage carries an adapter with the society 

 screw, 70 that an objective may be used as a condenser, and the 

 substage is movable b}^ an effective and simple means so that 

 the condenser m^j be focussed. It is also of the standard size ; 

 it will therefore carry any apparatus, even that made for the 

 largest stands. It is precisely the size of the same part on my 

 own instrument, which is one of the largest in the market to- 

 day. It possesses another quality which will be appreciated by 

 all that use the polariscope. This is its abilit}^ to be swung 

 aside so as to leave nothing between the mirror and the object, 

 a ver}^ commendable and useful arrangement, as it enables the 

 observer to study the object alternatel}^ by polarized and by 

 ordinary illumination. 



But on the stage is what should do good to the heart of every 

 working microscopist. It is the clips. I have looked them over 

 careful)}^ and have tried them as carefull}- to see if I could not 

 find something in them to substantiate m}^ former foolish opin- 

 ion of the stand. But they are to be commended in, every way. 



