The instrument shown here is supplied with four objectives which are stored in a leather covered box, a stage forceps, and a glass stage insert. The following was extracted from the book: a Practical
Treatise on the Use of the Microscope, by John Quekett, 1848.
A very useful single
microscope is that made by Mr. Ross, and described by
him in the Penny Cyclopedia, article, "Microscope." It
is represented by fig. 37, and consists of a brass
pillar,about six inches long, screwed into a tripod
base; to the upper part of the pillar is attached, by
screws with milled heads, large flat stage, provided
with a spring clip, and other apparatus for holding the
objects. By means of the large milled head, a
triangular bar, having a rack, is raised out of the
pillar; this bar carries a lens-holderd having a
horizontal movement in one direction, by means of a
rack and pinion, and in the other direction, by turning
on a circular pin. It is also provided with a concave
mirror, for reflecting the light through the hole in
the stage, a condensing lens, for the purpose of
illuminating opaque objects, and a pair of forceps for
holding small objects, may be applied to either of the
holes in the stage. This microscope is usually supplied
with lenses of one inch and one half-inch in focal
length for dissecting; but the higher powers generally
employed are either doublets or triplets; or this
instrument may be converted into compound one by taking
away the lens-holder and substituting for it the
compound body represented on the right of the stand,
and when provided with a cradle joint, either at the
top or bottom of the pillar, may be inclined after the
manner of the larger compound instruments, which are to
be presently described. This microscope, with its broad
stage, is well adapted for minute dissections, and is
rendered more convenient for the purpose if placed
between the two inclined planes, to be hereafter
mentioned, which form what is called the dissecting
rest. This apparatus gives support to the arms, and
brings the wrists on a levels with the stage, whereby
small cutting instruments can be managed with the
greatest nicety.
The following was extracted from The Microscope and Its Application to Vegetable Anatomy and Physiology by Dr. H. Schacht, 2nd English edit., 1855
Dissecting Microscope.—There are many different sorts of dissecting
microscopes, which vary according to the fancy of the makers; it
will be sufficient but as the principle of all must be the same,
to refer to the accompanying fig. 15, which represents one of the
best construction by Mr. Ross. The principal points to be attended
to in selecting a dissecting microscope are to see that the stage
is of sufficient size and strength, and that the arrangements for
holding the lenses and moving them in different directions, are
convenient. In the instrument in fig. 15, the arm at the top
which carries the lens-holder has a forward motion by rack and
pinion, and a traversing motion on a pivot, by which means the
lens can be carried in any direction over the stage. The adjustment
of the focus is effected by the large milled head at the side.
This instrument is usually furnished with lenses of 1 inch, 1/2
inch, 1/4 inch, and 1/10 inch focal lengths, and sometimes with
a Wollaston’s doublet. The doublet may well be dispensed with,
if the observer is possessed of a compound achromatic microscope.
In carrying on delicate dissections with this microscope, it is
advisable to make use of the armrests, which will be described
hereafter in the chapter on accessory instruments. Mr. Ross’ 1
inch achromatic object-glass may be used in dissecting with this
instrument, and will be found most agreeable.