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WITHERING-TYPE BOTANICAL MICROSCOPE:

c. 1800,

UNSIGNED

DESCRIPTION HISTORY OF WITHERING BOTANICAL MICROSCOPES

Ivory Withering Microscope

DESCRIPTION:

This collection contains three examples of Withering-type microscopes; none are signed or numbered, as was usual. This example is likely the oldest, dating to about the year 1800, (and closest to the original); it is constructed mainly of ivory with a solid stage. Supported by two brass rods are lens casings at each end. Only one of the two casings still has a lens. The stage can be moved up or down to focus. This construction differs from Withering's description in that the original instrument was described as being entirely or mainly of brass and it notes that the lenses could slide up or down to focus, apparently within their supporting brass discs at each end. Furthermore, the original instrument had three pillars, rather than the two as on this example. This instrument is contained in a black leather covered cylincrical case. There are holes in the stage which could be used to store a tweezer and two additional instruments such as dissecting needles or a scalpel. This instrument is virtually identical to Bracegirdle's number 7/9 of the Science Museum (London).