MICROSCOPE AND MOUNTING KIT

MAKER: FIELD & SON

INVENTOR: W.P. MARSHALL (1869)

MODEL: 'NEW UNIVERSAL MOUNTING AND DISSECTING MICROSCOPE' (Dissecting Trough)

c. 1870's

This is a trough made of zinc sheet metal with a central glass-covered opening on the bottom which is otherwise lined with cork. The metal was bent into shape and then soldered in the corners. It is just large enough to admit a standard 3 X 1 inch slide. Delicate subjects are often prepared for mounting by dissecting them under fluid, usually a solution of salt with an osmolarity similar to the interior of the cells of the subject, so as not to cause distortion of the anatomy due to fluid shifts into or out of the cells. The cork was provided to pin the subject to hold it in place during the work. A separate 'loaded cork' was also provided for the same purpose. This is simply a small round piece of cork which is weighted on its bottom by lead. The trough seen here is an accurate replica of an original as is part of the example of this microscope in the RMS collection. I am indebted to the Museum of the History of Science of Oxford through the courtesy of Mr Thomas Hopkins who provided detailed information about the construction of the original.