The Microscope and the Practical Principles of Observation

162 Pages·1947·4.577 MB·English

by  Theodore Stephanides

IMPERIAL AGRICULTURAL
RESEARCH INSTITUTE, NEW DELHI.
15 '-I
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THE ¥ICRQSCOPE

THE MICROSCOPE
AND THE PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
OF OBSERVATION
by
THEODORE STEPHANIDES
M.D.
25154
IARI
FABER AND FABER LTD
24 Russell Square
London
First published in M cmxlvii
by Faber and Faber Limited
24 Russell Square London W.c.J
Printed in Great Britain by
Latimer Trend & Co Ltd Plymouth
All rights reserved
CONTENTS
FOREWORD page 7
PART ONE:
DESCRIPTION OF THE MICROSCOPE
1. THE STAND 11
2. THE OPTICAL SYSTEM 25
The Objective 25
The Eyepiece 38
The Condenser 41
3. CHOICE OF A MICROSCOPE 48
Tests for the Microscope 53
PART TWO:
TECHNIQUE OF MICROSCOPICAL
OBSERVATION
4. ILLUMINATION BY TRANSMITTED LIGHT 67
Axial Illumination 68
Oblique Illumination 99
5. ILLUMINATION BY DIFFRACTED LIGHT OR DARK-
GROUND ILLUMINATION 106
, Illumination by Reflected Light 124
Errors in Microscopy and their Causes 128
5
CONTENTS
6. BINOCULAR MICROSCOPES page 133
7. METHODS FOR RECORDING OBSERVATIONS 137
Methods for Determining the Dimensions of an
Object 137
Methods for Determining the Shape of an Object 140
Methods for Determining the Position of an Object 150
BIBLIOGRAPHY 153
ApPENDIX: DEFINITIONS OF TERMS USED IN
MICROSCOPY 154
INDEX 158
6
FOREWORD
Since its invention, the microscope has made itself indispen~
sable in an ever growing number of fields of research until, at
the present time, there is scarcely a science or an industry that
does not depend on it to a greater or lesser degree for its ad~
vancement.
Working with the microscope is not however as simple as is
often thought, and to get the most out of this instrument a care~
ful technique must be followed. Should this be neglected, there
is the risk not only of missing many essential details, but
graver still-of being misled by false appearances and optical
illusions.
Most books on microscopy, which describe the preparation
and staining of animal and plant tissues and other objects for
microscopical study, give little or no instruction as to their ex
amination when actually upon the microscope stage.
The present volume attempts to meet this want, and presents
a methodical survey of the technique of microscopical observa
tion. It was primarily written from the medical angle, but the
fundamental principles remain the same for all the other
branches of microscopy as a whole.
The author lays no claim to new methods, but, by collecting
the procedures and techniques found in a great number of
different works, by unifying them and incorporating certain de
tails suggested by his own experience, he hopes to have compiled
a handbook that will smooth the path of the beginner and per
haps also be of some value to the more advanced worker with
the microscope.
Grateful appreciation is tendered to Dr. and Mrs. C. N.
Partington for their valuable suggestions in connection with this
book, and thanks are due to the Optical Firms, Messrs. W.
Watson and Messrs R. & J. Beck, who kindly supplied the
blocks for Figs. 1, 2 and 18.
7

PART ONE
DESCRIPTION
OF THE MICROSCOPE