MONOCULAR COMPOUND MICROSCOPE

MAKER:CHARLES X. DALTON (BOSTON OPTICAL WORKS)

'BOTANICAL MICROSCOPE'

c.1890

(HARVARD COLLECTION)

This brass microscope as a unique stand. The side arm holds the optical assembly of the microscope and permits it to rotate from vertical to horizontal. The rectangular stage also rotates from horizontal to vertical, and can be set according to a scale. Coarse adjustment is by rack and pinion enclosed within a box on the back side of the tube.

The rectangular base sits on 4 turned legs. There is an arm at right angles to the base and has its own turned leg. This arm supports the tube when it is in its horizontal position.

The double mirror is on a swinging, movable rod. A substage ring is attached to the end of the mirror. Stage clips, painted an ivory color, hold a frame to the top of the stage.

The brass framework of the instrument shows absolutely perfect flat surfaces and edges even though most of its contours and cutouts must have been finished by hand rather than by machine. The workmanship is almost incredible to anyone who has done an apprenticeship in such work.