The Microscope and Its Uses

The Microscope And Its Uses - WILFRED MARK WEBB - The principal object of this little volume may be judged from the fact that it is one of The Hobby Books, but throughout its pages an endeavour has been made to show how a new interest may be added to many branches of work by the application of the microscope to them. The writer is indebted to many of his friends and correspondents for the use of illustrations. This help is acknowledged in the proper places. His thanks are also due to Mr. G. W. Tyrrell and Mr. Harold Cheavin for some details with regard to petrological and philatelic microscopes respectively, and to Messrs. 1. Vatson and Sons for the loan of sketches and apparatus. - THE PLEASURES OF MICROSCOPY - HUGE things, whether they be pyramids or elephants, the triumphs of men or the works of Nature, will no doubt always be attractive. There is, however, a remarkable fascination also about the other extreme, and as large objects are easily seen, the pursuit of them lacks that satisfaction which comes from a successful search after the tiniest creatures. The fact that these are rendered visible by mechanical aids to eyesight in the shape of lenses is in no way a drawback. Indeed, apparatus of all kinds appeals very strongly to many minds and it is really marvellous what we owe at the present day to the development of the burning-glass-a device which in itself could hardly be simpler. Take away the lens, and we could not pursue astronomy with a telescope, we should have no photographs, no process illustrations, no magic lanterns, and no moving pictures while our knowledge of the manifestations of life and disease would he infinitely poorer, for the microscope is one of our greatest benefactors. It is really wonderful what beauties and details even a really good pocket magnifying ens will reveal, and to this and its varieties we shall shortly turn our attention. For delicate objects, however, and for serious work which can be done within doors, the compound micrcscope will prove to be a necessity. With its help one can examine internal structure as well as outside conformation, magnifying very many more times than can be done with a simple lens therefore the possibilities of seeing extremely minute objects and details are achieved. Now, the possessor of a microscope is able to start a new hobby of practically unending variety, the centre of which is the nlicroscope itself or, treating the instrument inerely as an effective tool, he can use it in coniiection with one or quite a number of hobbies to which he Inay already be devoted, and thereby widen their scope and increase their interests amazingly. Other aspects of the subject remain to be mentioned...