CASE MOUNTING SMALL DISSECTING MICROSCOPE KIT
YEAR: c. 1830
DESCRIPTION:
This pillar of this microscope screws into a brass boss on the top of the mahogany case. A small circular stage fits into a sliding support on the pillar. An opaque black and white ivory disc fits into the center of this stage. Three individual objectives can each screw into the arm. Dissecting tools include a tweezer, scalpel and dissecting needle. The microscope stores neatly in the partly lined case along with the dissecting tools, three wooden sliders and the original slide specimen list. The case measures about s4 7/8 X 3 3/4 X 1 3/16 inches (123 X 95 31 mm). The instrument stands about 5 3/8 inches high including the case.
HISTORY OF THE SIMPLE DISSECTING MICROSCOPE
This instrument is very similar if not identical to examples in the Science Museum (London) and the Whipple Collection at Cambridge. The lack of provision for a substage mirror implies its main application was as a dissecting scope and for use in observing opaque specimens, yet the sliders accompanying it are not solely opaque objects and have transparent covers on the top and bottom.
