This microscope is an example of a pocket botanical microscope introduced during the waning years of the eighteenth century. Several variations are reviewed in Gerard Turner's book The Great Age of the Microscope.

Attributed to the Jones brothers (William and Samuel), the microscope illustrated above has a pair of lenses mounted in a brass ring affixed to a hinged arm. A second hinged arm forms the handle of the microscope, which is fashioned from turned ivory. Exiting at a perpendicular angle to the hinged arms is a "U"-shaped bar with a central slot that accepts an adjustable specimen holder. Focusing is accomplished by moving the specimen holder closer or farther from the eye lens by translating its location in the bar and securing it in place with a knurled knob tensioned by a brass spring. A hole in the specimen holder is designed to accept a pair of stage forceps for gripping the specimen. The microscope is accompanied by a wooden box covered with embossed black paper.

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 October 3, 2000: 25985

For more information on microscope manufacturers,
use the buttons below to navigate to their websites: