48 SELECTION AND USE 



applied to a better stand, would be worth more than the whole 

 microscope in its original form. 



There is, however, one very useful purpose to which cheap 

 microscopes of this kind may be applied. They make a very 

 convenient and efficient pocket microscope for collecting. The 

 stand should be cut off above the mirror, the flat stage being 

 left with enough of the tube adhering to it to give it stiffness. 

 A drop of water being placed in a cell, and covered with thin 

 glass, is laid on the stage and held there with the fingers. To 

 illuminate the object the microscope is simply held up to the 

 sky. Those who object to holding the slide with the fingers, 

 can have a round plate of metal soldered to the under side of 

 the stage, so as to make it even. Movable clips, made by 

 bending a narrow strip of hard sheet brass, so that both legs are 

 even, can then be slipped on so as press on the slide, and on 

 the under side of the stage. Such a microscope is very light, 

 and may be readily carried in a tubular pasteboard case, which 

 any one can make. 



Setting aside these obsolete forms, as well as those models 

 which have been devised for special purposes, we find that of 

 the stands which are best suited to the purposes of the phy- 

 sician, the naturalist, the student, and the family, there are four 

 distinct styles, which may be distinguished as follows : The 

 Boss, the Jackson, the Continental, and the New American 

 models. In order to give the reader an idea of. these different 

 models, and to explain the advantages and disadvantages of 

 each, we give engravings and such descriptions as will enable 

 him to form some idea of the stand best suited to his special 

 wants. In selecting illustrations of the different types, we have 

 taken the cheaper forms in preference to the more perfect, but 

 more expensive models ; and as our object is to describe tho 

 general features of the stands themselves, and not to detail tho 

 merits and point out the faults of those parts which may be 

 easily changed or altered, we have omitted all description of 

 diaphragms, eye-pieces, objectives, etc. 



The Ross Model. The distinguishing characteristic of 

 this model is the mode in which the body is supported. By re- 

 ferring to Plate I, it will be seen that the body is attached at 



