Solar Microscope Show Dialogue

Introduction, no slide

Cleonicus: I have hitherto entertained you in the best manner I am able, with an account of microscopic constructions of different forms and kinds; nor have I finished that subject yet, as there remains one which far exceeds all the rest in its magnifying power, or the astonishing appearance it gives of the smallest objects.

Euphrosyne: This, I presume, is the solar microscope, which I have heard you speak of very often, on that account. It is called the solar microscope, I suppose, from its being used with the sun, or rather, that it is entirely useless without the sun beams; for I have heard you say, that it is applied to use in a room that is darkened, and then only when the sun shines.

Cleonicus: This morning is devoted to that purpose. The room is darkened and ready for use. Here, my Euphrosyne, enter the room, and place yourself in the chair I have there set for you; you will there be near me, to see the several processes in the application of the instrument, and at a proper distance to view the image to the best advantage.

Euphrosyne: I am seated, as you direct. You may proceed to your operation as soon as you please.

Slide 1: the scale of a sole fish

Cleonicus: The first object I shall put in the microscope is, a transparent scale of a sole fish – observe its image upon the sheet.

Euphrosyne: Its image! I see something prodigiously large indeed; and you amaze me, when you say it is only the scale of a sole. It appears at least four or five feet long and two or three feet wide. It fills almost the size of the screen. Its substance transparent, and variegated with beautiful undulations. Were the whole fish magnified in the same proportion, it must surely be as big as a whale.

Cleonicus: You might have said, my Euphrosyne, as big as a hundred whales; since the fish, magnified as much as its scale, would appear very near half a mile long.

Euphrosyne: What is the next object, Cleonicus?

Cleonicus: I have shewn you the magnified scale of a fish, and… you will next behold the wonderful appearance of a certain species of eels themselves, real living animals.

Slide 2: roundworms

Euphrosyne: Living animals, Cleonicus! They have really so much life and motion, and monstrous size withal, that I have scarce courage enough to keep my seat. Who could have thought to have seen, in a moment’s time, that sheet transformed into a lake of Conger eels? They are vastly numerous indeed, and larger in size than I have ever seen anything of the kind. Their quick tortuous and serpentine motion are really amazing and stupendous. Pray, what are these creatures in themselves, and how came you by them?

Cleonicus: These are really a species of small eels, or roundworm. They are found very common in sour paste, or stale vinegar, and some other fluids, of which I shall have the pleasure to entertain you, one day or other, with the common microscope, when you will find that, notwithstanding the appearance they now make by the solar microscope, they are scarcely visible to the naked eye; such objects of miniature are the mighty serpents you now see.

Euphrosyne: They are every way wonderful, I find. I should never be tired with feasting my eyes with these delightful scenes. But I must not detain you too long in particulars. What is the next object you intend shall gratify my curiosity?

Slide 3: pollen from a hollyhock flower

Cleonicus: I shall now entertain you with a few extraordinary views of the vegetable kind. Look at the sheet, and tell me what you think you see there, my Euphrosyne.

Euphrosyne: You have suddenly transformed the scene to somewhat like a wonderful sort of stars, some of which are opaque, others transparent; they are perfectly round, and large as cannonballs; they are vastly numerous and make a delightful appearance, truly. Pray, what can it be, of a vegetable nature, that I see?

Cleonicus: It is what the botanists call the pollen, or what dusty matter which grows on the apices in the middle of the flowers, of which you see great quantities in the tulip, the lily, and many others: But that which I have in the microscope, is the pollen of a hollyhock, and is found in all of the mallow kind; for in every plant of a different species, those particles have a peculiar size and form, as you may observe at your leisure in the common microscope. ….

Slide 4: a section of cork

Euphrosyne: …but what part of the plant can this be, I am at a loss to guess….

Cleonicus: This is a very thin piece of cork, which you know, is a vegetable substance, as it is the outer part of the bark of a cork tree; and though we cannot so well tell the use of these pores in vegetation, yet, as they render cork a soft and yielding substance. They make it a very fit medium for many uses in life, particularly for corking of bottles, and sundry other uses for fishermen.

Conclusion, no slide

Cleonicus: At present, these specimens must suffice for the use of the solar microscope, and for giving you a just idea and esteem for such an excellent invention, and which exceed all others of the optical kind.

Euphrosyne: I am much obliged to you and for the trouble I have given you, and for your confinement so long in a dark room; and I shall always look upon the experiments of the microscope, and especially of this sort, as the most sublime and rational amusements of my life.