CHAPTER III 



THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE MICROSCOPE 



THE historic progression of the modern microscope from its earliest 

 inception to its most perfect form is not only full of interest, but is 

 also full of the most valuable instruction to the practical micro- 

 scopist. In regard to the details of this, our knowledge has been 

 greatly enriched during recent years. The antiquarian knowledge 

 and zeal in this matter possessed by Mr. John Mayall, jun., and 

 the unique and valuable collection of microscopes made by Frank 

 Crisp, Esq., LLB., ranging as they do through all the history of 

 the instrument, from its earliest employment to its latest forms, 

 have furnished us with a knowledge of the details of its history not 

 possessed by our immediate predecessors. 



We may obtain much insight into the nature of what is indis- 

 pensable and desirable in the microscope, both on its mechanical and 

 optical sides, by a thoughtful perusal of these details. It will do 

 more to enable the student to infer what a good microscope should 

 be than the most exhaustive account of the varieties of instrument 

 at this time produced by the several makers (always well presented 

 in their respective catalogues) can possibly do. Availing ourselves 

 of the material placed at our disposal by the generosity of these 

 gentlemen, we shall therefore trace the main points in the origin 

 and progress of the microscope as we now know it. 



Mr. Mayall 1 gives what we must consider unanswerable reasons 

 for looking upon the microscope, ' as we know and employ it,' as a 

 strictly modern invention. Its occurrence at the period when the 

 spirit of modern scientific research was asserting itself, and when 

 the necessity for all such aids to physical inquiry and experimental 

 research was of the highest value, is as striking as it is full of 

 interest. 



It may be held as fairly established that magnifying lenses were 

 not known to the ancients, the simplest optical instruments as we 

 understand them having no place in their civilisation. 



A large number of passages taken from ancient authors, and 

 having an apparent or supposed reference to the employment of 

 magnifying instruments, have been collected and carefully criticised, 

 with the result that all such passages can be explained without in- 

 volving this assumption. 



We learn from Pliny the elder and others, that crystal globes 

 filled with water were employed for cauterisation by focussing the 



1 Cantor Lectures on the Microscope, 1886, p. 1. 



