This instrument is a botanical microscope with a metal, oval base. The instrument has the mirror, stage and objective limb mounted to a square support pillar. The mirror is attached via a peg attached to the gimbal mount. The stage is attached to a square sleeve that moves up or down on the pillar to focus the sample. The objective limb is screwed into the top of the pillar. There are two objectives that can be used individually, or ganged together for higher magnification. The stage accommodates a Black/White disc, a cylindrical live-box, or individual (bone) sample slides. The slides are held in place by a thin metal ring attached to the bottom of the stage by two pegs. The stage has an extension with a hole to accommodate a stage forceps. The microscope comes with several accessories: B/W disc, white sample disc, a bone-handle dissection needle and brass forceps. In addition, included with the instrument purchase was a simple hand lens mounted in a lignum vitae holder plus a leather carrying case. It is unlikely. however, that the lens was part of the original system. The microscope and accessories can be stored in a rectangular, red leather-covered box.
The Botanical Microscope was derived from the earlier "Aquatic Microscope". It differs in its focusing mechanism. The aquatic microscope used a rack & pinion focusing mechanism to move the single objective without moving, and subsequently disturbing, aquatic life that was being observed. The Golub Collection has two examples of Aquatic microscopes by Raspail (No. 235 and 287).
Microscope featured 03/2017
