THE OPTICAL MICROSCOPE MANUAL Past and present uses and techniques
The traditional microscope—lacquered brass and black enamel—is a familiar picture, and there is no shortage of books that look back at early microscopes. But how did they work? How were they used? The laboratory worker takes the instrument for granted—but who first used Canada Balsam? Why is a slide a slide? When did coverslips appear? And how were specimens examined before modern methods arose?
The story that emerges creates some intriguing new approaches. It seems, for example, that the master genius Leeuwenhoek, the greatest microscopist of all, plagiarised someone else’s ideas. And Hooke, the greatest of the pioneer British microscopists, made some foolish errors of interpretation that (even in his era) it is hard to credit.
By following the influence of each generation’s ideas on those that followed, this book traces the gradual evolution of microscope technique. The emergence of mountants, the discovery of staining, microdissection—the whole range of endeavour is described up to the present century. The author also deals thoroughly with all modern methods, including mineral preparation, plant and animal histology, fluorescence microscopy, the best way to select a microscope, setting up the instrument, and the location of faults in adjustment, making this book a useful practical handbook for the working microscopist.
Brian J. Ford, who is a frequent visitor to university laboratories in Europe and the United States, is now ‘semi-retired’ and divides his working time between the laboratory and writing. An expert on microscopy, his work features in many yearbooks and encyclopaedias and has been translated into many foreign ranguages—including Russian, and examples of his photomicrographs feature in a number of textbooks. He is the author of Microbiology and Food. He is a frequent contributor to scientific publications and has appeared on many radio and television programmes about science and society. He has also produced programmes and directed a series of short films for television.
f3·25 net in UK only
THE MODERN OPTICAL MICROSCOPE is an indispensable tool in the study of any physical science and any student or teacher in these sciences requires a full working knowledge of its potential, operation and the handling of specimen for microscopy.
This book provides the essential information. After briefly studying the history and development of microscopy the author outlines the several different types of modern equipment and goes on to practical directions on setting up and using the instrument. The final chapter discusses objects to be studied--solid and particulate specimens, living and dead biological material, temporary mounts and permanent preparations.
Useful working illustrations, bibliography and index complete a thoroughly sound and up-to-d ate manual invaluable to students and teachers.
