- Subject
- Microscopy
- Item type
- Object
- Provenance
- Purchased from Dr. Reginald S. Clay with his collection.
- Primary inscriptions
- None
- Dimensions
- Height: 120mm Width: 154mm Depth: 61mm Weight: 85g
- Inventory No
- 46564
- Accession Number
- 1944-1/696
Description
The brass pillar erects automatically as the lid of box is opened. The black ivory stage is fixed by brass hoops to a bar on the pillar. The eye lens set in an ivory annulus and focus is by a mill-edged collar around the pillar that raises or lowers the lens. Accessories include: an ivory mount for a lens, a steel pin and a scalpel with bone handles. The box is mahogany lined with green velvet.
This is the standard form of Withering folding botanical microscope, as published in 1792. The brass pillar set in the hinge stands up when the box is opened, bringing the stained ivory stage and lens mount with it. The upper part of the pillar screws for fine focusing. The accessories are two dissecting tools and a hand magnifier (lens missing).
