21 
Tomkins, on a Travelling Microscope. 
clips to hold the slides; but should greater accuracy be desired, 
a mechanical stage capable of affording traversing movements 
in two directions can be added. Beneath the stage, and 
secured by brass pins working in slots, room is found for 
a Varley’s live-box. The nose-piece is furnished with the 
Society’s universal screw, thus being adapted for most modern 
object-glasses. 
By way of utilising the limited space to the utmost, the 
legs permit of being detached by help of bayonet-catches, 
and contain, severally, dipping tube, forceps, and two dissect- 
ing needles. A small case, placed near at hand, holds a glass 
slide with ledge, and a reserve of thin covering glasses. The 
optical portions of the microscope, viz. the object-glass, eye- 
piece, and mirror, are of the usual description. The fishing 
apparatus that I use with this instrument is simple, but very 
effective. The rod is the common landing-net rod of the 
angler ; into this is fixed a gun-metal ring, which carries a 
bottle provided with a screw, and which may be obtained of 
any chemist. A small net, a metal spoon (indispensable 
when hunting for diatoms), and one or two gutta-percha 
bottles, preferable to glass because lighter and not liable 
to breakage, complete the equipment. 
This microscope especially recommends itself to the atten- 
tion of field-naturalists, since every one who has made the 
