330 
COKRESPONDENOE. 
TMonthly Microscopical 
L Journal, Dec. 1, 1869. 
Eoss's form, beneath the bar which carries the body of the microscope, 
and whilst permitting the front of the objective to touch the object 
on the stage, even to press it down by acting on the springs, will 
arrest all progress in this direction, before the upper part of the stage 
has been pressed upon the lower ; thus, how careless soever a person 
may be, or however great may be the force used, the pressure on the 
object-glass, as on the thin cover of the object, is limited to the 
strength of the springs used, which may, as previously stated, be made 
as light as is desirable. 
The want of such an arrangement is much felt by all persons 
using very high powers, and more particularly so now that the immer- 
sion system is coming more into vogue ; and under this, we lose the 
benefit of the surface of the thin cover, as well as the dust, which, 
under the dry system, acts as a friendly beacon. 
With the safety stage, not only will persons work with more con- 
fidence, but members of the Eoyal Microscopical and other Societies 
will be enabled to exhibit objects of interest under the highest powers, 
which they have hitherto in most cases been afraid to do. 
COEEESPONDENCE. 
Universal MouNTma and Dissecting Microscope; 
To the Editor of the ' Monthly Microscopical Journal.^ 
BiEMiNGHAM, November 10, 1869. 
SiE, — In a former number of the ' Microscopical Journal ' (June), 
a description was given of a mounting and dissecting microscope that 
I had designed as a microscopist's companion, for enabling any one to 
carry in a single small case, whenever going into the country or to the 
seaside, a dissecting microscope with special arrangements for facilita- 
ting the mounting of objects ; and a complete set of the apparatus and 
materials required for mounting, combined with a compound micro- 
scope good enough for ordinary requisites. This instrument has 
been referred to in a letter in a subsequent number of the Journal, 
in which there appears to have been a misapprehension in reference 
to the origin of the instrument. 
In justice to the makers, Messrs. Field, of Birmingham, it should 
be stated that as regards the design of the case (the point specially 
referred to in the above letter), and the optical work, the whole credit 
is due to the makers so far as I am concerned, as the instrument was 
put into their hands to complete it in a portable and finished form. 
This object has certainly been ably and satisfactorily carried out by 
them, and they state that they are not aware of having derived any 
part of the idea from the writer of the above letter. 
My original idea in the instrument was an endeavour to combine 
the advantages of Messrs. Beck's and Dr. Lawson's excellent dissect- 
ing microscopes, with a complete set of the apparatus and materials 
required in mounting objects ; including the accessories of turn-table 
