Ross aquarium compound microscope
Datecirca 1875
Inventory Number1138
ClassificationMicroscope
Subject
Maker
Ross and Company
1859 - 1897
User
Museum of Comparative Zoology
founded 1859
Collector
Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes
Cultural Region
Place of Origin
Dimensionsmicroscope: 34.5 × 23 × 21 cm (13 9/16 × 9 1/16 × 8 1/4 in.)
case: 37.5 × 26.6 × 24.2 cm (14 3/4 × 10 1/2 × 9 1/2 in.)
case: 37.5 × 26.6 × 24.2 cm (14 3/4 × 10 1/2 × 9 1/2 in.)
Material
AccessoriesRoss oculars (2): C, D; anonymous objective on the tube; Ross objective 1/2 "; standing case
DescriptionThis is a Ross aquarium compound microscope. It is intended to be used over or latched on to a tank or aquarium.
The large flat tripod base of cast brass supports an upright, square post topped with a red brass ball finial. The post has a long vertical slot. A block can be adjusted by rackwork up and down the post. Extending through the block and slot is a horiztonal arm which can be extended out away from the post at right angles by means of another rack and pinion mechanism. One end of the arm is terminated by a decorative ball finial. The other end is attached to a rotating collar (with a locking screw) that carries a plate with a bracket that is secured to the microscope body tube. This plate moves left and right by means of rack and pinion. The bracket attached to the microscope tube has its own rack and pinion to move the tube up and down. Thus we have 4 independent rack and pinion mechanisms plus a rotating collar to adjust the microscope's position.
The body tube holds the eyepiece and objective. Focus is by means of the rack and pinion.
Accessories include 2 eyepieces (C, D) and two objectives. One is a signed 1/2 inch Ross objective with a setting screw for "Uncovered" and "Covered." A lens carrying sleeve at the end of the objective is marked "WW." This objective has its original canister. The other objective is unsigned and unmarked.
There is an accompanying standing case of mahogany with padded fittings lined with green wool cloth. The case has a brass handle on top and lock. The key is missing.
The large flat tripod base of cast brass supports an upright, square post topped with a red brass ball finial. The post has a long vertical slot. A block can be adjusted by rackwork up and down the post. Extending through the block and slot is a horiztonal arm which can be extended out away from the post at right angles by means of another rack and pinion mechanism. One end of the arm is terminated by a decorative ball finial. The other end is attached to a rotating collar (with a locking screw) that carries a plate with a bracket that is secured to the microscope body tube. This plate moves left and right by means of rack and pinion. The bracket attached to the microscope tube has its own rack and pinion to move the tube up and down. Thus we have 4 independent rack and pinion mechanisms plus a rotating collar to adjust the microscope's position.
The body tube holds the eyepiece and objective. Focus is by means of the rack and pinion.
Accessories include 2 eyepieces (C, D) and two objectives. One is a signed 1/2 inch Ross objective with a setting screw for "Uncovered" and "Covered." A lens carrying sleeve at the end of the objective is marked "WW." This objective has its original canister. The other objective is unsigned and unmarked.
There is an accompanying standing case of mahogany with padded fittings lined with green wool cloth. The case has a brass handle on top and lock. The key is missing.
Signedon foot: ROSS, / London,
on objective canister lid marked 1/2 Inch: A. Ross, / London
on objective: A. Ross / 1856
on sleeve of lowest lens segment of Ross objective: WW
Inscribedserial no. on foot: 3502
painted in black ink on inside of case door: Museum of Comparative Zoology / Cambridge
ProvenanceMuseum of Comparative Zoology; transfer to the Ernst-Lewis Collection of Microscopes (inv. no. 138), Harvard Medical School.
Historical AttributesThis instrument was used in the Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University.
R. & J. Beck
Date: circa 1879
Accessories: objective 2 in. Ross No. 20372 in original case; empty case for 1.5 in. objective R&J Beck; ocular
Object number: 1140
Edward Marmaduke Clarke
Date: 1838-1840
Accessories: 5 objectives for simple microscope; 2 objectives for compound microscope (1 in can; 1 with lieberkuhn); cup diaphragm with lieberkuhn in brass box; brass box of cover slips; stage forceps; tweezers; 2 live boxes; frog plate; bull's eye; fish tube wire; wrench; chamois; 2 unmounted lenses; 40 prepared slides; standing case; 2 keys.
Object number: 1018
R. & J. Beck
Date: 1876
Accessories: oculars (2) in microscope; Darker's selenite retarding filters (3); wheel diaphragm; mechanical rotary stage; stage slider. Other accessories are in the case (1122b), including monocular draw tube; oculars (3); objectives in cans (5); empty can; Lieberkühn; polarizing set; slides; camera lucidas (2); etc.; plus a Beck patent substage condenser (1122c); and apertometer (1122d).
Object number: 1122a
W. Watson & Sons Ltd.
Date: circa 1885
Accessories: oculars (2 pairs): B and D; objectives in marked canisters (4): 1/4, 1/2, 1, 3 inches; condenser with iris diaphragm; rotating wheel diaphragm; iris diaphragm; set of 4 disk diaphragms in brass box; triple nosepiece; live box; prisms for Wenham binocular system (2); stage for simple microscope with rotating wheel diaphragm; vulcanite stage; spare knobs (2); parts box; case
Object number: 1249
Nachet et Fils (I)
Date: circa 1862
Accessories: 9 objectives and caps 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, (last 3 marked "Nachet à Paris") in their own box; 3 eyepieces 1, 2, 3; large stage clips; dual nosepiece; camera lucida; side illumination prism ; substage cup diaphragm; substage condensers (3); rotating wheel diaphragm; substage mirror on articulated arm; wrench; convertible objectives (3) for a different microscope; flat case.
Object number: 1068a
E. Hartnack & A. Prazmowski
Date: 1874-1881
Accessories: objectives in box (3): 7, 9, convertible 4; oculars (4): 2, 3, 4, 5; bull's eye lens; cup diaphragms (3); dissecting needles (3); case; key.
Object number: 1195
Ernst Leitz (company)
Date: circa 1919
Accessories: oculars (2): 3, 8x; accessory box; Leitz objectives (5); wrenches (2); ground glass; N.A. 1.45 condensor cap; Abbe condensor; rotary stage; case
Object number: 1345
Carl Zeiss, Optische Werkstätte, Jena
Date: circa 1886
Accessories: oculars (2): Leitz 4xB, Winkel Zeiss kl 2; objectives (4): Leitz 7, 1/7a oil immersion, Zeiss B, HI 90 iris, B&L 8mm, 1/5, Grunow 1/6; B&L double nosepiece; parabolic reflector for stage; Abbe condensor with iris-cylinder diaphragm; articulated substage mirror; frame for cup diaphragms; cup diaphragms (2); Zeiss-B&L polarizing analyzer A6; Zeiss-B&L vertical illuminator; flat case; key.
Object number: 1044
F. Davidson & Company
Date: circa 1900
Accessories: 1 ocular: 2; 1 objective in can: 1/4 dividing; case
Object number: 1334
Cary (firm history)
Date: 1855-1860
Accessories: ocular; cylindrical adaptor or substage baffle; standing box
Object number: 1234
Date: 1860-1870
Accessories: eyepiece; convertible objective consisting of 3 objectives nested as one
Object number: 2002-1-0058
Bausch & Lomb Optical Company
Date: 1908-1910
Accessories: ocular; objective; standing case
Object number: 1209