COMPOUND UNIVERSAL MICROSCOPE

MAKER: R & J Beck

MODEL: 'INTERNATIONAL' or 'LARGE BEST' or 'GRAND' MICROSCOPE or 'IMPROVED MICROSCOPE WITH SWINGING SUBSTAGE'

c. 4th QTR 19TH C.

THIS PAGE: THE BECK 'GROWING CELL'

The Beck growing cell is an improvement on Smith's (of Kenyon Collage, USA). Beck described and announced this in 1865. It consists of a slide with two concentric rings. A resevoir of fluid is kept in the chamber formed between the two rings. A round piece of glass covers the resevoir and the center. The specimen in fluid being studied is placed in the center of this slide and a coverslip is kept in place by the orange ledge. A hole under the coverslip (A) allows fluid to flow from the resevoir by capillary action to replace fluid under the coverslip as it evaporates. A second hole (B), beyond the ledge, allows air to flow into the resevoir as the fluid is lost and also allows one to replenish the fluid. In this way, the subject is kept supplied with the fluid as needed over hours or even days. Obviously replacing fluid requires a tiny pipe (like a modern hypodermic needle) to replace fluid through the B hole.

Reference: Trans of the Microscopical Soc of London, New Seriees, Volum XIV, 1866 page 34.