72 
New Microscope Lamps. 
This proved a matter of some difficulty, but I effected it at 
last by filling a glass vessel three inches across, and the same 
depth, with the fluid, and then condensing the light on the 
surface of the fluid by means of a large condensing lens. The 
micro- spectroscope was placed at an angle of 90° to the con- 
denser. If placed opposite to it, only a continuous spectrum 
of the lamp flame is perceived, the absorption spectrum, 
whic h is much fainter than the spectrum viewed by trans- 
mitted light, being masked by its intensity. 
The liquid viewed by this strong reflector is of a fine 
carnelian red. In figure 2, I have represented the spectrum. 
It will be seen that it differs considerably from the first 
spectrum, 1 . A much larger portion of the red end of the 
spectrum is absorbed, but not so sharply as in spectrum 1. 
The strong band in the red is shifted towards the more 
refrangible end of the spectrum, cutting out the edge of the 
red, some of the orange, and most of the yellow. The second 
absorption band is wanting, but the greater part of the light 
of the spectrum is absorbed from a point between the 4th and 
5th lines, and all the light is absorbed at the 7th. The part of 
the spectrum which should be yellow has a strong tinge of 
olive green. Of course the diagram represents very imper- 
fectly the beautiful and curious appearances which the spectra 
present in colour. The Rev. J. B. Reade was with me when 
I made the experiments I have described, and kindly verified 
the results I obtained. 
On Two New Lamps for the Microscope. 
By Ellis G. Lobb, F.R.M.S. 
(Read May 8th, 1867.) 
The lamp which I now bring before your notice is, I 
think, a great improvement upon most of its predecessors. 
Three things are decidedly essential in a lamp to the working 
microscopist : 1. A reservoir that shall not interfere with the 
proper use of the bull’s-eye condenser. 2. A small brilliant 
white flame. 3. That it shall be so portable as to be carried 
about with ease. These three requisites are combined in the 
lamp now before you. The reservoir for the spirit (camphine 
being used), although apparently small, still holds a suffi- 
cient quantity for four hours’ consumption. You will per- 
