The Microscope-stand 7 



of this genus, and but little satisfaction is derivable from 

 working with them. If the user is at all progressive, an 

 instrument of this kind is either speedily discarded in 

 favour of a well-made one, or it may, on the other hand, 

 cause him to become disheartened, and attribute want of 

 success to his own incapacity instead of the poor quality 

 of the instrument. 



Although a good second-hand instrument may be occa- 

 sionally met with, great discretion is required in pur- 

 chasing, because improvements may have been introduced 

 since its manufacture, or some damage may have occurred 

 to the optical parts. If it be obtained from a respectable- 

 dealer who understands his business, and will give a 

 guarantee of condition, there is some inducement ; but a 

 friend who is up to date in microscopy is generally the 

 best to advise. In all cases before purchasing, a catalogue 

 should be obtained from the maker whose name the instru- 

 ment bears, so that it may be ascertained whether the 

 pattern is still made, or is antiquated and out of date. It 

 is much better to buy a good stand, capable and worthy of 

 receiving additional apparatus from time to time, rather 

 than an inferior instrument that is completely furnished 

 with objectives and accessories. These latter rarely 

 engender pride of ownership, and are often relegated to 

 some obscure corner after a short acquaintance ; whereas, 

 if a good instrument be purchased, with but one objective 

 to start with, there is always a pleasure in working with it, 

 and a peculiar fascination from its quality — a satisfaction 

 in feeling that one has something superior. 



On page 8 a typical student's microscope is figured, 

 by reference to which the different parts of the instrument 

 will be made clear. 



Fig. 1. — A is the stand or foot. 



B is the tailpiece carrying the mirror (C) with which 

 light is thrown upon the object. 



D is the under-fitting, into which are fitted the sub-stage 

 condenser, polarizer, etc. 



