184 Botanic Microscope. 
Art. IV. Description and Use of the Botanic Microscope. 
DescriPTion and Use of the Botanic Microscope. — Several readers hay- 
ing expressed a wish that we should describe the use of a cheap microscope, 
we give the following as the most suitable for general purposes :—a 6 
( fig. 38.) is a pillar, which screws into the top of the box, containing the 
whole of the apparatus. 
s the stage for laying the 
objects on; it slides up 
and down the pillar, to 
adjust the object which is 
to be laid upon the stage, 
to the focus of the mag- 
nifier c, three of which 
belong to this micro- 
scope. The knife g, 
needle f, and scissors /, 
are used in dissecting or 
separating the parts of 
flowers, &c. e¢ 1s a pair 
of tongs for taking up 
any small object, or 
turning it about on the 
stage. There is an ivory 
plate fitted to the stage, 
black on one side and 
white on the other; dark- 
coloured objects should 
be laid on the white 
side, and vice versa. 
To use the Microscope. —When taken out of the box, slip on the stage ; 
and having screwed the pillar into the top of the box, it is ceady for use. 
Lay the object on the stage, and slide it up and down till it appears per- 
fectly distinct: as most persons’ eyes differ, every one should adjust the 
object to his own, The three magnifiers are of different foci, and may be 
used separately, or either two of them together, or all three, by screwing 
them one on the other, making, in this way, seven different powers. The 
smallest magnifier has the largest aperture. When more than one is used, 
the least magnifier, or that with the largest aperture, should be next the 
object. Let as much light as possible fall on the object while under exa- 
mination, particularly when the greater magnifying powers are used ; and be 
attentive not to shade it with the hat, or other part of the dress. If this 
precaution is not attended to, the objects will appear obscure ; this will 
also be the case if the magnifiers are not quite clean. Wash-leather is 
the best thing to wipe the glasses with, and a piece is put into the box for 
that purpose, This microscope is not confined to the examination of bota- 
nical subjects, but may be used for any kind of objects that can be laid on 
the stage, such as specimens of minerals, seeds, shells, insects, &c.; and, as 
a contrast to these, artificial objects, as medals, coins, intaglios, cameos, fine 
writing, printing, miniature-painting, and engraving; silks, fine lace, linen, 
watch-work ; in short, any of the finest works of art. Price 12s. 
There are a variety of other microscopes, at various prices, up to 7 and 
even 10 guineas, and we have seen one in the workshop of a celebrated 
manufacturer at Munich, the price of which was 150 guineas. There are 
also various magnifying glasses in use by naturalists, and especially by mine- 
ralogists, at various prices, from Is. 6d. upwards. A good plan for an in- 
tending purchaser is to state his wants to a respectable tradesman, and be 
fuided in a great measure by his advice. — Cond, 
