An English compass microscope, ca. 1740.
Compass microscopes are hand-held microscopes. They were considered easy to use although accurately focussing on objects was difficult. They got their name as the lens holder and the object holder are both pivoted and the distance between the two can be adjusted. The fish skin-covered wooden box contains additional lenses and mounts
Ray skin covered box
The ray skin covered box of the compass microscope above it. Rays are related to sharks and like shark sin, ray skin is very sturdy and tough and makes an excellent a cover for travel cases. Compass microscopes were often taken out into the field and their cases should be able to withstand some rough handling.
An English compass microscope, ca. 1740.
Compass microscopes are hand-held microscopes. They were considered easy to use although accurately focussing on objects was difficult. They got their name as the lens holder and the object holder are both pivoted and the distance between the two can be adjusted. The fish skin-covered wooden box contains additional lenses and mounts
Compass microscope
The compass microscope taken form it box. One can see how the lens holder and the object holder are both pivoted and the distance between the two can be adjusted. These abilities gave them the name compass microscopes.
