Microscopy Primer
Light and Color
Microscope Basics
Special Techniques
Digital Imaging
Confocal Microscopy
Live-Cell Imaging
Photomicrography
Microscopy Museum
Virtual Microscopy
Fluorescence
Web Resources
License Info
Image Use
Custom Photos
Partners
Site Info
Contact Us
Publications
Home

The Galleries:

Photo Gallery
Silicon Zoo
Pharmaceuticals
Chip Shots
Phytochemicals
DNA Gallery
Microscapes
Vitamins
Amino Acids
Birthstones
Religion Collection
Pesticides
BeerShots
Cocktail Collection
Screen Savers
Win Wallpaper
Mac Wallpaper
Movie Gallery

Early Ross Compound Microscope

William Valentine, a plant anatomist in Nottingham, England, designed this microscope and commissioned it to be build by Andrew Ross in 1831. This is one of the earliest instruments build by Ross, who established his business the previous year, 1830.

An unusual feature of this microscope is the fine focus knob, that can be clearly seen under the base of the microscope. The knob connects to a threaded rod that traverses the pillar or "foot" of the microscope and connects to the stage to effect motion. This focusing technique is similar to that seen in two of George Adams' microscopes, the Universal Single and Universal Double microscopes, both of which were built almost 75 years earlier in 1746.

Another interesting feature of this microscope is the rather long condenser tube that holds the substage condenser lens. A concave reflector mirror is positioned at the bottom of this tube in order to direct light onto the specimen. Because the microscope was not fitted with an inclination mechanism, it was very uncomfortable to use for extended periods of time.

BACK TO NINETEENTH CENTURY MICROSCOPES

Questions or comments? Send us an email.
© 1998-2022 by Michael W. Davidson and The Florida State University. All Rights Reserved. No images, graphics, scripts, or applets may be reproduced or used in any manner without permission from the copyright holders. Use of this website means you agree to all of the Legal Terms and Conditions set forth by the owners.
This website is maintained by our
Graphics & Web Programming Team
in collaboration with Optical Microscopy at the
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory.
Last modification: Friday, Nov 13, 2015 at 02:19 PM
Access Count Since April 6, 1999: 52939
For more information on microscope manufacturers,
use the buttons below to navigate to their websites: