532 Mwroscopes at the South Kensington Museum. (September, 
MICROSCOPES AT THE LOAN COLLECTION OF SCI- 
ENTIFIC APPARATUS OF THE SOUTH KENSINGTON 
MUSEUM. 
BY JOHN NICHOLS. 
MONG the relics of early microscopy, the compound micro- 
scope, invented and constructed about 1590, by Zacharias 
Janssen, of Holland, is certainly a very primitive affair. As 
this, and in fact all the other instruments are inclosed in a glass 
case, a critical examination is impossible. The outward form 
presents the simple appearance of an iron or tin tube about ten 
inches long and about an inch and one half in diameter; the 
magnifying power is very moderate. 
In the same case is a silver microscope, by Anthony van Leeu- 
wenhoeck (born 1632, died 1723), the noted Dutch philosopher 
and microscopist. It may be remembered that he made a micro- 
scope for almost every object, which must have consumed much 
of his valuable time. This microscope of Leeuwenhoeck’s is sim- 
ple in form, being a silver plate, perforated with a single minute 
hole, in which is fixed a tiny lens, in front of which, and in focus, 
is placed a silver needle upon which the object was fixed. 
It was with such an instrument that Leeuwenhoeck carried on 
his wonderful discoveries, and laid the first steps in histological 
science. What glorious results might have followed had he pos- 
sessed a modern instrument and objectives ! 
The great microscope made by Benjamin Martin (1770), for 
George the Third, is probably the largest and most elaborate 10- 
strument ever manufactured. It stands nearly three feet high, 
and is decorated with much scroll-work, while in all directions 
are lying the most complicated pieces of accessory appa 
which must have sorely bewildered the royal scientist. Looking 
at this piece of scientific magnificence, some comfort is suggested, 
that if we have not yet reached perfection in designing. ™ 
scopes, we have at least attained a good degree of simplicity of 
construction. : 
There are many other instruments made by the early micro- 
scopists, illustrating the progress of the instrument. That made 
for or by Galileo is of special historical interest. The glasses 
have been lost ; the tube alone remains. The body is an upright, 
supported on a tripod. 
The: modern instruments offer no field, for: commen ga 
looks in vain for anything novel in construction. There are te 
g. micro- 
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