1891.] MlCROSCOriCAL JOURNAL. 273 



The Evolution of the Coiiiimiiiid Microscope. 



By J. MELVIN LAMB, M. D. 



WASHINGTON, D. C. 



[Address (omitting some introductory remarks) delivered at the 

 opening of the Medical Department of Howard University, October 

 I, 1891.] 



To -some of my audience it may not be unknown that the present year 

 is the three hundredth anniversary of the invention of the compound 

 microscope — the tercentenarv of this now, it would seem, well nigii 

 perfected instrument. It was intended to have celel)rated this event by 

 an International Exhibition of Microscopes at Antwerp in August and 

 September, this vear, but the exhibition has had to be postponed for 

 want of sufficient space. A circular letter has been issued regarding 

 the "'Exposition de microscopic general et retrospective" with pro- 

 gram of the undertaking, which gives one some idea of the magnitude 

 of the proposed exhibition. It is intended to make this an event in the 

 history of the microscope, the thorough success of which is assured by 

 the names of the scientific men interested, foremost appearing Abbe, 

 Crisp, Natchet, Hartnack, Zeiss, Dallinger, Cox, Smith, Pelletan,and 

 Van Heurck. 



It is proposed to subdivide this exposition into ten large sections, 

 treating, individually, (i) Of microscopes employed in ever}' branch 

 of scientific work, as well as microscopes for special research. (2) 

 All forms, ancient and modern, of apparatus employed for illumina- 

 tion. (3) Apparatus used in conjunction with photo-micrography. 

 (4) . Every variety of accessory apparatus, which for the various means 

 employed would prove too lengthy for my mention. (5) Apparatus 

 for mensuration. (6) A complete collection of ancient and modern 

 section-cutting machines (or, technically speaking, microtomes). (7) 

 All kinds of apparatus employed in the technique of microscopical re- 

 search. (8) Every variety of microscopical work to have representa- 

 tion by permanent preparations. (9) Apparatus for bacteriological 

 investigations, modes of culture, etc., and demonstration of the details 

 of this subject ; and lastly, but by no means least in interest, ( 10) A sec- 

 tion of microscopic bibliography, which will, in a measure, prove the 

 record of all that has been achieved in the past three centuries, and 

 which may be observed in the sections previously mentioned. (See J. 

 Roy. Micr. Soc, Loud., 1S91, LXXXI, 271.) 



At this exhibition the history and development and present perfec- 

 tion in both design and workmanship will be illustrated, covering a 

 period of three hundred years. 



Therefore, it is perhaps not inappropriate that I ask your attention 

 for a short time to the history of an instrument which has been of such 

 profound benefit to mankind. 



In this hasty review I cannot enter into details concerning the history 

 of this instrument, which served our ancestors as toys and ornaments, 

 and which has developed into the magnificent instrument of to-day, re- 

 vealing marvels of the unseen world. Should you be so far interested. 

 I would advise you to consult the writings of the various authors upon 

 this subject, when you will observe that almost ever}- step in the im- 

 provement of the microscope has been made in the face of the most dis- 



