BOSTON OPTICAL WORKS, 
B. TOLLES, Supt. CHARLES STODDER, Agent and Tkeas. 
75 KILBY STREET, BOSTON. 
.MICROSCOPES AND TELESCOPES. 
mil make to order first-class A and B Trunnion Micro- 
scopes and Prof. J. Lawrence Smith’s Inverted Microscopes, 
Improved, for Chemists, by special contract. 
TOLLES’S STUDENT’S MICROSCOPES (see page 3), 
$5O to $lOO 
CLINICAL MICROSCOPES (see page 4) . $25 to $3O 
TOLLES’S PATENT BINOCULAR BYE-PIECE. 
adapted for both Microscope and Telescope . . $BO 
TOLLBS’S PATENT BINOCULAR EYE-PIECE, for 
Microscope only, price not determined. 
HUYGHBNS’ NEGATIVE EYE-PIECES, A, $10; B, $8; C, $7 
TOLLES’S PATENT SOLID EYE-PIECES, 
D, $8; G, $8; E, S7;E, $6 
TOLLES’S SOLID ORTHOSCOPICAL EYE- 
PIECES . . B, $l5 each; C and higher powers, $l2 
These can have a micrometer engraved in the solid 
glass at an additional charge of . . . . $5 
TOLLES’S AMPLIFIER, which doubles the magnifying 
power of any given Objective and Eye-Piece . . $l2 
TOLLES’S POCKET ACHROMATIC TRIPLETS, in 
silver mountings, | inch and £ inch, each,- $l2 (large 
mountings, $13); £ inch, each, $l4 
TELESCOPES, 2% inch object glass, on stand, with 
azimuth and altitude motions . . . . . $125 
TELESCOPES, 1 inch object glass .... $5O 
TELESCOPES, of any size, of unusually large angle and 
.efficiency, made under special contract. 2 
TELESCOPES, 2£ inch object glass, on stand, with 
azimuth and altitude motions . . . . . $l5O 
SPENCER’S CAMERA LUCIDA . . . $8 and $l5 
SPENCER’S CAMERA LUCIDA, for Student’s Micro- 
scopes ......... $5 
TOLLES’S first quality OBJECTIVES, with adjustment 
for thin glass cover, 
inch, angular aperture, 175° . . . . $lBO 
Jgth “ “ “ over 160° . . . $125 
■jLth “ “ “ 160° or less . . . $l2O 
“ “ “ over 165° . . . $ll5 
Jyth “ 11 “ 160° or less . . $BO to $lOO 
-Jyth “ u “ $5, adv, on list of |4h inch. 
|th “ “ “ 160° to 175° . . . $BO 
ith « “ “ 140° to 160°. . . $75 
ith “ 11 u less than 140°. . . $65 
ith “ “ “ 90° to 110° . . $4O 
ith “ « “ 130° ... $5O 
ith “ “ “ 150° ... $6O 
ith « « « 170° . . . $7O 
ith and Ith inch, same price as |th ; 
y4ffth inch, angular aperture, under 90° . . . $4O 
T%th “ “ “ 90° to 110° . . . $45 
yiyth « “ “ 135° to 145° . . $65 
i- « “ u 60° $35 
I “ “ « 60° to 80° . . $4O 
Opaqu* Illuminator, additional . . . $l5 to $25 
Immersion Objectives, same prices. 
FIRST QUALITY, WITHOUT ADJUSTMENT FOR GLASS COYER. 
1 inch, angular aperture, 17° . . . . . $2O 
1 “ “ “ 25° to 30° . . . . $23 
1 u “ u 35° $2B 
1 « « “ 40° $35 
2 “ $23 
i “ 25° to 40° $23 
ith“ 40° to 70° $26 
|th“ angular aperture, about 70° to 80° . . $35 
Second quality OBJECTIVES, 2 inch and 1 inch, $8; 
ith inch, $l5 to $2O. 
These are all made with the Microscopical Society’s Screw, 
unless specially ordered otherwise. 3 
TOLLES’S STUDENT’S MICROSCOPE 
15 INCHES HIGH, WEIGHT SIX POUNDS 
This Instrument, de- 
signed under the advice of 
several of the Professors 
of the Medical School of 
Harvard College and oth- 
er well-known Microsco- 
pists, is of the pattern and 
size most approved by ex- 
perts. The base, uprights 
and curved arm are of 
iron handsomelyjapanned; 
—on a trunnion joint, 
made on a new plan to 
wear well, by which the 
instrument can be placed 
in any position, from vertical to horizontal, witli a stop to 
prevent movement in either direction beyond those points. 
It is furnished with a B Eye-Piece, two second-quality 
Objectives, of about one inch and \ inch power, giving about 
60 and 280 diameters, a plain Stage with spring clips for 
holding the object slides, revolving Diaphragm, concave Mir- 
ror, with movement to give oblique light; for illumination 
of opaque objects, the mirror is removed to an upright stand; 
coarse adjustment for focus is effected by sliding the com- 
pound body which is held in its place by a steel spring, fine 
adjustment by a new construction which is efficient with high 
powers. The stand is made with all the care bestowed on their 
first-class instruments, and proves satisfactory for the use of 
amateurs, students, and the ordinary work of the medical pro- 
fession . The workmanship is superior to that of any instru- 
ments of the class made in Europe. The form is that best 
adapted for easy and convenient use. Price, in an upright 
Black Walnut Case, $7O. The same instrument with fine ad- 
justment on the Stage, $5O. 
STUDENT’S 
MICROSCOPE. 
MLAJDE! BY THE 
BOSTON OPTICAL 
WORKS. 
Additions. Extra Bye Pieces, A and C, $4 each; a supe- 
rior Camera Lucida, $5; Sub Stage for accessory apparatus, 
$5; a Sliding Stage, giving vertical and horizontal motions by 
the hand, and adapted for the use of Maltwood finder, sls. 
Rack and Pinion for coarse adjustment, sl2. Any of Tolles’s first quality Objectives may be used an this instrument, and will 
be made to order at list prices. Packing boxes for transporta- 
tion, sl. 
THE POCKET MICROSCOPE. 
For clinical and 
field or sea-side use, 
is a simple tube 6 
inches long, with a 
one-quarter inch Ob- 
jective and B Eye- 
Piece, fine and 
coarse adjustments 
for focus, a Stage 
with spring-clips to 
hold the object, which 
can be removed when 
not in use, and the 
Objective covered 
with a brass cap. making the most compact and efficient porta- 
ble instrument in use. Price, $25; with a draw-tube for in- 
creasing the power, $3O. As the same Eye Pieces and Objec- 
tives are used for the Student’s Microscope, those who want both 
instruments require but one set of the optical parts. All other 
Objectives on the list can be used with both instruments, and 
can be supplied to order. For sale by Instrument dealers 
everywhere. 
The Objectives and Eye Pieces supplied to these instruments 
are in all respects equal to those sent to this country, with the 
so-called first-class instruments, from Berlin and with those 
from many of the well known Opticians of Paris and London. 
Extracts from the proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural 
History, vol. x\\,p. 359. Ur. Hagen of Cambridge said: 
“ All over the world, first-class microscopes have resolved 
the fourteenth or even the fifteenth [?] band of Nobert’s test 
plates; but should it be found that American microscopes 
even with a one-eighth objective have resolved perfectly the 
nineteenth band, the superiority of these instruments would be 
so enormous that it could be easily proved at any time and 
place.” 5 
This had been done repeatedly with several objectives made 
by Tolies, at the time Dr. tlagen made the above remarks. It 
has often been done since with other objectives made by Tolies, 
and can be repeated at a suitable time and place; but not with 
any objectives taken at random, but only such as are made for 
that kind of work, not easily, for it requires the most delicate 
manipulation. 
Report of the judges, oh philosophical apparatus, eleventh 
exhibition of the Massachusetts Charitable Mechanic Association, 
held in Boston, September 1869, Joseph M. PVightman, Esq.,Jo- 
siah Curtis, M. D., Chas. K. Stevens, Esq., Judges. 
297 and 460. Boston Optical Works, Boston. Robert B. 
Tolies, Superintendent, Charles Stodder, Treasurer. Microscopes 
and Telescopes. The Microscopes exhibited comprise a variety 
of instruments and accessories, embracing much that is original 
and ingenious, and characterized by nice workmanship and 
elegance in appearance. 
One large Microscope with A and B Huyghens’ eye-pieces, and 
Tolies’ patent solid C eye-piece, with micrometer, has a very 
ingeniously constructed rotary stage, devised by Mr. Tolies, 
which is only one-sixteenth of an inch thick. Its rotary move- 
ment is concentric with the axis of the objective. It has also 
lateral movements by friction rollers, and a sub-stage, movable 
by rack and pinion, for accessory apparatus. 
There are several other instruments intended for students, 
which are much less elaborate. These are supplied with a one- 
inch and a one-fourth inch objectives, both of second quality, and 
have coarse and fine adjustments, and also the means for apply- 
ing accessories. We should also here* mention a pocket 
achromatic triplet. 
In the list exhibited, we find a binocular eye-piece, and a solid 
eye-piece, both invented by Mr. Tolies, and although the latter 
was patented in this country by him several years ago, we were 
shown a similar device, in fact nearly identical in every essential 
particular, by a scientific friend, who has just returned from a 
sojourn in Europe, where he purchased it as a new and valuable 
oculaire, one of the latest improvements just invented by a 
microscope maker of celebrity in Paris. 
Among the instruments on exhibition, we find first-class objec- 
tives, as follows : a one-inch, having an angle of aperture of 27°; 
a half-inch, with 60° angle of aperture; a one-fourth, with 70° 6 
angle of aperture, and constructed with a Tolies’ illuminator for 
opaque objects; a one-sixth immersion, with 150° angle of aper- 
ture; and a one-tenth immersion, having an angular aperture 
of 175°. 
It is mainly to improved object-pieces or objectives, as they are 
more frequently termed, that the world is indebted for the means 
of extending the limits of our knowledge through the revelations 
of this valuable instrument. Since the middle of the present cen- 
tury, improvements have been made, and a degree of perfection 
approximated in the construction of microscopic objectives, which 
twenty years ago were pronounced by the best authorities as 
utterly unattainable. 
Messrs. Powell and Lealand, Smith and Beck, and Ross, and 
others of England; and Nachet, and Hartnack, and others of 
Prance, besides many very reputable makers in Continental 
Europe, have honorably vied with eaeh other in advancing im- 
provements upon the higher order of objectives. But while 
such eminent practical skill has endeavored to meet the wants 
of scientific men abroad, in pushing their research beyond that 
of their predecessors, there has been no less demand lay restive 
intellects in this country for the very best instruments, and no 
less intelligence and skill in successful efforts to meet such de- 
mand. Among those practical photonomers who have been the 
most successful, whether at home or abroad, in the scientific con- 
struction of the highest order of optical instruments, the samples 
on exhibition from the Boston Optical Works well warrant the 
assertion that their superintendent has advanced to the foremost 
rank. 
In microscopic objectives, it is obvious that the extent of 
amplification, and the character of the light as well as the kind 
and degree of illumination, are more or less common to all 
makers. Other things being equal, the relative as well as the 
absolute merits of objectives are commensurate with their de- 
gree of distinctness of delineation or definition. This quality 
must not merely cover the outline of infinitesimal objects, so to 
speak, but extend to the minute details of their structure and 
coloring. The higher powers of course more largely magnify, 
any and all defects or imperfections due to their own imperfect 
construction; hence the true merits of objectives are in favor 
of those of the lower powers, which under like circumstances 
give equal distinctness in definition or resolution. 
The obstacles to perfection in this direction were various, 
numerous and enormous, so much so that those savans most 7 
familiar with them were generally the most decided in pronounc- 
ing them all but insurmountable. But for the high degree of 
perfection in our present make of instruments, as well as our 
hopes for still better ones, we are largely indebted to practical 
opticians, whose perseverance in their study of the laws of light 
and the principles which prevail affecting the same; in the 
material of which the lenses are made, as well as mathematical 
precision in giving them form, relationship and combination, was 
coupled with long series of laborious, but patient trials, studded 
with discouraging failures, while on their tedious way to event- 
ual success. 
The judges took as much pains as circumstances permitted to 
compare the workings of the instruments on exhibition with 
others of the most reputable makers in this country and Europe. 
The objective of the highest power was the one-tenth immer- 
sion, whose angle of aperture is 175°. Under the observation 
of the judges, and others whose assistance was invited, this 
objective defined test objects better than any objective of the 
same power, and as well as many others of higher powers, from 
other makers, which were at their command. The usual tests 
were resorted to, such as the Pleurosigma angulatum, Surirella 
gemma, etc., etc., among the Diatomacem, and Nobert’s test plate 
from artificial sources. The latter is par excellence the test of 
the quality of objectives. It consists of straight lines uniformly 
ruled on glass, and is not subject to the variations which prevail 
in different individual specimens of the same species, among 
natural objects. The test plate used was one of Nobert’s later 
make, containing nineteen bands, the last of which, or the nine- 
teenth band, was composed of lines so fine and close that it re- 
quires over 112,000 to occupy the space of one inch. These 
were clearly resolved by direct* light illumination from a kero- 
sene lamp, with the one-tenth immersion objective! and a B eye- 
piece. Among those invited who witnessed this performance 
may be named Prof. Wolcott Gibbs and Dr. B. A. Gould of 
Cambridge. The true lines of this nineteenth band have never 
yet been seen by Nobert himself, and their resolution has been 
pronounced both by him and many European microscopists of 
eminence as physically impossible. We cannot learn that any 
* Direct light should not he confounded with central light. The light was 
direct from the lamp, unmodified; of course it was very oblique. 
f This is the same instrument referred to by Dr. J. J. Woodward in his paper 
in the American Journal of Science for September 1869, and in a communica- 
tion to the Monthly Journal of Microscopical Science, London, for December 
1869, and called by him an eighth onlj. 8 
one in Europe claims to have seen them, if we except, perhaps, 
Nachet of Paris. At the U. S. Army Medical Museum in 
Washington, D. C., with a one-sixteenth immersion objective, 
made by Powell & Lealand of London, the sunlight being con- 
trolled by a heliostat and rendered monochromatic, excluding 
all rays of the spectrum except those of the shorter wave- 
length, and condensed with a one-sixth objective of Tolies’ 
make, the lines in question have been photographed. 
The one-inch objective on exhibition is constructed for use in 
water, and seems admirably adapted for tank work where 
minute dissections are to be performed. The prism arrangement 
of the one-fourth objective for illuminating opaque objects 
through its anterior combination lens is new and worthy of 
special consideration. It is simple, its use employed or readily 
cut off, and is free from the glare and other objections which 
have rendered nearly useless all former efforts to improve the 
illumination of opaque objects under high powers. 
The binocular eye-piece is also the invention of Mr. Tolies. 
It not only seems to do well what any other form of binocular 
microscope will do, but is also suitable for use in those cases 
where all other binoculars fail, their uses being limited to the 
lower powers in consequence of the relationship of their binoc- 
ular arrangement to the objective. Mr. Tolies’ arrangement 
connects it with and makes it a part of the eye-piece. It may 
also be used with telescopes. 
The telescopes on exhibition by the Boston Optical Works 
comprise one Improved Equatorial Telescope, having five inches 
aperture and thirty-five inches focal length, with two eye-pieces 
having powers of 80 and 160 diameter respectively; and two 
smaller improved short-focus telescopes. Of the latter, the lens 
or object-glass of one is one inch in diameter, and has a focal 
length of four inches. The extreme length of the instrument is 
twelve inches. It has a pancratic eye-piece, varying the power 
at will, and is reported to have borne one hundred diameters with 
full satisfaction. The other has one and a half (1.45) inches 
aperture, and six inches focus. 
It will be at once observed that the shortness of focal lengths 
for such apertures is novel if not unique. It is believed to be 
without a parallel in instruments from any other maker. In a 
very large class of uses, this quality gives them especial value. 
The superiority of this form over those of ordinary construction, 
particularly in the largest instrument exhibited, is reported to 
have been very manifest by the aide of telescopes of other 9 
makers, in observations during the great eclipse of August 7, 
1860.* By rendering the use of eye-pieces of lower power 
admissible, and especially in the great augmentation in the field 
with distinct vision, this form of telescope will quite easily ac- 
complish what is absolutely impossible with those of the same 
size constructed upon the usual formulm. Besides such signal 
service, their portability and facility of manipulation should be 
mentioned. 
In conclusion, it should be stated that none of the articles 
above noticed were made for exhibition, but faithfully represent 
such as are put into the market. Indeed, nearly all of them 
had been sold and were loaned by their owners for this occa- 
sion. It may also be added that the opinions of the owners, as 
well as others eminently capable of judging correctly and im- 
partially, emphatically justify the conclusion of the judges in 
deeming the articles from the Boston Optical Works worthy of 
the highest award, a 
GOLD MEDAL. 
Extracts from the report of Dr. F. A. P. Barnard, L.L. D., 
President of Columbia Caller r, N. Y., Commissioner of the 
United States to the Exposition Universelle, Paris, 1867. 
P. 152. “In no branch of physical investigation has the num- 
ber of zealous devotees in recent years more rapidly increased 
than in the study of microscopical organisms,* and no instrument 
of optics has occupied in its construction a larger amount of 
practical skill of the highest order, or has received more numer- 
ous and more important} improvements, than the microscope 
itself. It is indeed the high perfection and wonderful power 
of this instrument as at present constructed, which by affording 
clear and satisfactory views of the structure of only recently 
esteemed excessively difficult and doubtful objects,c/nd by thus 
diminishing immensely the labor of microscopic research, has 
given to it its present great and rapidly increasing popularity.” 
. . . . “ The modern microscope may be said to date from 
the year 1829, the date of the publication by Mr. J. Lister, of 
* Special search was made for intra-Mercurial planets by Prof- Newcomb at 
Des Moines, according to the plan suggested by him in the April No. of this 
(Silliman’s) Journal, with two six-inch object-glasses, having a field of about 
one-third of one degree each, and previously clamped to the desired position. A 
similar scrutiny of the ecliptic near the sun was made by Dr. Gould at Burling- 
ton in connection with Prof. Coffin’s party, using a Tolies’ telescope of five inches 
aperture and a field of nearly two degrees, provided with occulting discs at the 
focus. Silliman’s Journal, Sept. 1869, p. 288. 10 
his well known empirically discovered laws governing the ab- 
errations of lenses.” 
Page 533. “ The effect of the introduction of Mr. Lister’s 
improvements was immediately to throw nearly the Vhole class 
of what had been called test objects into the category of common 
objects; but it created a new set of tests, or a new succession of 
tests, of constantly increasing difficulty; and in the active rivalry 
which has grown up between the many accomplished opticians 
of recent years, who have devoted themselves to the improve- 
ment of this instrument, the chief contest has been, which should 
most satisfactorily resolve the most difficult of these tests.” 
P. 534. “ The constructors of microscopes, whose instruments 
have been in the highest repute since the introduction of Mr. Lis- 
ter’s improvements, have been in England Messrs. Smith, Beck & 
Beck, a house now only represented by Mr. J. Beck, nephew of 
Mr. Lister; Mr. Andrew Ross, who has keen succeeded by Mr. 
T. Ross, his son, and Messrs. Powell & Lealand; and in France, 
Mr. Oberhauser (who has given place to E. Hartnack), and 
Messrs. Nachet & Son, whose excellent instruments are well 
known in this country. 
Of American constructors, are several whose objectives 
will bear severe comparison with those of the best foreign 
makers. The earliest among those to secure for our country a 
distinguished position in this honorable rivalry was Mr. Charles 
A. Spencer, of Canastota, N. Y. There was claimed for Mr. 
Spencer’s microscopes, it is believed with justice, a decided 
superiority to any that had been previously constructed abroad, in 
respect to resolving power; and they still continue to compare 
tinguished laurels, and in the mean time there has been sensible 
improvement in the work of foreign makers. Fortunately, how- 
ever, the retirement of Mr. Spencer did not leave our country 
unrepresented in this important branch of constructive art. A 
worthy successor to his skill and inheritor of his honors 
presently appeared in the person of Mr. Robert B. Tolies, also 
originally of Canastota, but at present superintendent of the 
Boston Optical Works, whose objectives are unsurpassed by 
ANY IN THE WORLD. 
Mr. William Wales, of Fort Lee, near New York, contests 
closely with Mr. Tolies the palm of superiority.” 
P. 537. “ The great superiority in resolving power between 
the 1 wet ’ and ‘ dry working ’ lenses was very manifest in the com- 11 
parisons made at the Exposition. The result has been to induce 
many makers to adopt the Amician principle in their more re- 
cently constructed high power objectives, and among these Messrs. 
Tolies and Wales in this country, and Messrs. Powell and Lea- 
land of London, have been pre-eminently successful. It is not 
necessary for Americans any longer to go abroad in order to ob- 
tain microscope glasses of any description of the highest order 
of excellence. The objectives of Messrs. Tolies and Wales, 
whether construed for working wet or dry, will stand the sever- 
est comparison with those of the most successful constructors of 
England or France.” 
“Several important improvements in the form and accessories 
of the microscope have originated in the United States. The 
stage indicator for finding minute objects with high powers, . . 
. was invented by the late Professor J. W. Bailey of West 
Point, . . . and the inverted microscope of Professor J. 
Lawrence Smith of Louisville, Ky., furnishes to the chemical 
investigator a most important addition to his researches, pre- 
venting as it does the obscuration of the view by the condensa- 
tion of the vapors, and securing the instrument against injury 
from the action of corrosive fumes. Microscopists have also 
been much indebted to Professor H. L. Smith, now of Hobart 
College, Geneva, N. Y., for various ingenious improvements of 
microscopic apparatus, among which may be mentioned his illu- 
minator for opaque objects, . . his mechanical finger for pick- 
ing up on the point of a hair objects invisible to the naked eye,” 
and his mode of binocular vision. 
P. 541. “Mr, Tolies has constructed an instrument on the 
stereotomic principle, designed to remedy the difficulty attend- 
ing the original binoculars, while at the same time it secures 
the incidental advantage of permitting any ordinary single tube 
microscope to be used as a binocular. . . , This eye-piece 
works with the objectives of all powers with perfect equality of 
illumination in both fields.” 
“ The neglect of the American exhibitors to send out stands 
was the more to be regretted, inasmuch as the stands made by 
some of them are admirable in design, convenient in use, and 
superior in workmanship. Nothing could be more tasteful or 
elegant than the first-class stands constructed by Zentmeyer. 
Mr. Tolies has also produced very fine stands. A masterpiece 
of this kind, constructed by him fiom designs furnished by the 
present reporter, possesses some important and peculiar ad- 
vantages.” 12 
No microscopes were sent to the Exposition by Mr. Tolies; 
some of his friends contributed their objectives of his make, all 
“ dry working ”; but there were no “ stands ” provided on which 
to exhibit them. Notwithstanding this great disadvantage, the 
jurors awarded for the objectives the 
SILVER MEDAL. 
From a letter from M. Th. Eulenstien, of Dresden, N. Germany, 
15th July, 1868 
“ Mr. Green has delivered to me the one-sixth immersion. 
I can pronounce it one of the finest objectives I have seen for 
definition, richness and blackness of the images. I shall expect 
your statement whether the higher powers now made by Tolies 
progressively excel the corresponding powers of other makers, 
same as his one-sixth certainly excels any lens of that power I 
have yet seen.” 
Mr. Eulenstien’s opinion is of the more value as he is an ac- 
complished microscopist, and has the finest objectives of high 
power, made by Ross, Powell & Lealand and Hartnack, admit- 
tedly the best makers in Europe. 
Address orders to 
C. S. is also authorized to receive orders for Wales’ 
Objectives, Zentmeyer’s Microscopes and Apparatus. 
Also keeps for sale a great variety of Mounted Objects for 
the Microscope, from Bicknell, Walmsley, Samuels, and other 
preparators; glass slides; thin glass, varnish, gold size, marine 
glue, cabinets for holding slides, etc. 
Charles Stodder, 75 Kilby street, Boston.