Accession No

3397

Brief Description

two boxes of microscope slides, mainly biological / zoological (samples of diatoms and other single-cell organisms, plus corals and flies) ; made/sold by W. Watson & Sons, E. Wheeler and others; circa 1900

Origin

England

Maker

W. Watson & Sons Wheeler. E. others

Class

microscopes; biology

Earliest Date

1900

Latest Date

1900

Inscription Date

Material

wood (pine); metal (brass); glass

Dimensions

box length 208mm; breadth 114mm; height 81mm 2nd box length 212mm; breadth 117mm; height 84mm

Special Collection

Provenance

Purchased from Philips; lot 140, 21/05/1986.

Inscription

‘DIATOMS
PHOTOGRAPHS’ (manuscript inside box)
‘FLY
POLYCISTINA
FORAMINEFERA
LOOPHYTE’ (scratched inside other box)

Description Notes

Two boxes of microscope slides, mainly biological / zoological (samples of diatoms and other single-cell organisms, plus corals and flies) ; made/sold by W. Watson & Sons, E. Wheeler and others; circa 1900.

2 pine boxes with 2 hinged sides (lid and front). 11 trays in each box (twelve trays in one box; 24-1-2000) with 6 glass slides on a tray (some only have five slides per tray; 24-1-2000). Generally 3 labels on each slide: name of object, maker, and special note.

The first box is labelled (by hand):
“DIATOMS
PHOTOGRAPHS”
and contains 8 trays of slides labelled “DIATOMS” containing different ‘diatoms’ (single-cell phytoplankton) samples, with either Wheeler or Watson dealers labels. Below these 8 trays is one labelled “PHOTOGRAPHS” which appears, contrary to the label, to contain five diatom sample slides and one slide of “mixed spiculae of gorgonia”. Below this tray is a final tray, unlabelled, that contains various slides of biological samples.

The second box is labelled (by hand - scratched into inside of lid):
“FLY
POLYCISTINA
FORAMINEFERA
LOOPHYTE”

1st three trays are labelled: “Foraminefera” [sometimes also known as Foraminifera]
next four trays are labelled: “LOOPHYTE - CORALS” (one also labelled “VOLCANIC DUST”
next two trays are labelled “POLYCISTINA”
last three trays are labelled “FLY”

Condition: good; complete.

References

Events

Description
Many of these microscope slides were manufactured by companies for amateurs to study, although some of them may have been made by individuals. It is likely that a microtome would have been used to slice the materials thinly (unless the sample was bacteria or Protista, where no slicing is necessary). The tray below contains samples of Spiriculae from various species of the Gorgonia sea fan as well as a sea weed sample and a sample of bacteria. The above tray contains slides of marine algae and bacteria that have been produced by E. Wheeler. This collection of 70 slides mostly showcase plankton, bacteria, or corals however there is one slide which features human skin.

Label made by Jack Rajack, Work Experience Student
08/06/2017
Created by: Rosanna Evans on 08/06/2017

FM:39903