Solar Microscope in Box, by Banks, London, c. 1816

Solar Microscope, manufactured by Banks. The slide holder consists of an outer cylinder with shaped slots for lenses and a threaded mounting for a lens at the end, an inner cylinder which holds the spring stage and a rack and pinion for focusing (.1). This assembly fits on the end of the body that has a condenser lens at its widest end where it screws to the back plate (.2). A rectangular mirror is mounted on the rear of the plate. Its position is adjusted by two winged screws (.3). The slide holder can be replaced with a box for opaque specimens (.4).

The accessories are two condenser lenses in copper alloy slides , with inscriptions "3 & 4" and "5 & 6". "1 & 2" are missing (.5). An ivory talc box (.6), two shutter screws (.7), stage forceps on a steel pin with a black and white ivory disk (.8), a sectioned cylinder with spring points to hold opaque specimens (.9), a copper alloy sleeve for a wet cell (.10), copper alloy forceps (.11), a copper alloy holder for opaque sliders (.12), four trays for opaque sliders with ten sliders present (.13), set of six condenser lenses in copper alloy slide (.14), two ivory sliders (.15). Accessories are stored in a wooden box with green felt lined internal supports. Box has a presentation plaque attached to lid (.16).