196 The Microscope. 



merely surprising, but far above our utmost conception, what 

 shall we say to those various species of animalcules, to which the 

 mite itself, in size, is as it were an elephant? Inconceivable, as 

 it may appear, it is yet a fact, that a mite upon a cheese is as 

 large and considerable, in proportion, as a man upon the earth. 

 The little insects that feed upon the leaves of peach-trees are no 

 inappropriate representation of oxen grazing in large pastures; 

 and the animalcules in a drop of water swim about with as much 

 freedom as whales do in an ocean. They have all equal room in 

 proportion to their bulk. In each, too, the organization is as per- 

 fect as in the others; and the quantity of life and activity seems 

 not in the leasi diminished, though the parts in which they are 

 seated be so small as to elude our observation. 



In pursuing this subject, we shall confine ourselves to the de- 

 scription of Gould's pocket microscope, which we deem the best 

 for scientific purposes, and its application to objects of natural 

 history. 



The extreme portability and great magnifying power of this mi- 

 croscope will recommend it strongly to the naturalist, mineralo- 

 gist, and botanist, as it has sufficient powers to discover the most 

 minute animalcule and seed vessels; it combines the uses of the 

 Single, Compound, Opaque, and Aquatic microscopes ; and has 

 been found, upon comparison, by several scientific gentlemen, 

 superior in power, and more distinct than many of the largest and 

 most expensive instruments of the kind; — it shuts up in a case, 

 three inches by three and a half, and may be carried in the pock- 

 et without the shghtest inconvenience. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE PLATE. 



Jl — The microscope, as it hes in its case, the body and pillars 

 taken out, to show the apparatus underneath. 



jB — The Compound Body. 



C — The Pillar on which is fixed the stage — Fig. 2, and re- 

 flecting mirror — Fig. 3. These remain on the pillar \vhen put 

 into the case, for the convenience of packing. 



D — The Arm may be taken off and used as a hand micros- 

 cope — Fig. N. 



E — The different powers, Nos. 4, 5, 6. These are screwed 

 on to the arm, and in them the body, but each may be used sin- 

 gly for large or opaque objects without the body. Nos. 1 and 2 

 may be combined; No. 6, being the highest power, is hot to be 

 combined with either 4 or 5. 



F — The Object-Box, which unscrews to place live objects in, 

 such as mites from cheese; this is placed on the stage. 



