Compound Microscope in Case, by J. Swift & Son, London, c.1900

The octagonal limb is carried by trunnions on the shaped copper alloy tripod. The monocular body is mounted on a rack and pinion for coarse focusing. Fine focus is adjusted by a micrometer screw on the limb. A plano-concave mirror is set on a double articulated arm on the cylindrical lower end of the limb. The circular stage rotates and a scale around the edge is marked in degrees. A rotating disc below the stage holds a polarizing prism. Another prism is mounted on a hinged bracket above the eyepiece. These are connected by a series of gears so they turn in unison (.1).

The instrument is stored in a fitted mahogany case with three inbuilt platforms for holding accessories, as well as felt lined supports for holding the instrument (.12). The following accessories are held in the case: two objectives, larger of which is stored in a can. Smaller objective has diagonal lines etched in a star pattern across its lens (.2), eight glass and selenite discs stored in a can, consisting of two blue discs, one green, one red and four clear discs in black casings (.3), four lenses in a can, two lenses are mounted in black casings (.4), eight dark ground stops in a can (.5), a mechanical stage bracket with rackwork and gradated scales, featuring two clamps and two pinholes for accessories (.6) two eyepieces consisting of a wider barrelled x3 projection model, and a narrower barrel x.2 projection model (.7), four stage brackets with spring clips (.8), three copper alloy collars (.9), an oval shaped blackened plate with central threaded pinhole (.10), three screws, largest featuring a four pronged end (.11), copper alloy disc for holding selenite discs (.13).