Simple (one objective) small box field microscope of the sort that Darwin used on the Beagle Voyage, poised above a miniature version of John Milton's

---

Simple (one objective) small box field microscope of the sort that Darwin used on the Beagle Voyage, poised above a miniature version of John Milton's Paradise Lost (1823 edition published by Jones and Company). Only the lower stage of the microscope is visible and the mirror stage below is not assembled. Darwin mentions that he kept his miniature edition of Milton's book with him to read whenever he went on shore. Unfortunately it does not survive today - but this book, a little larger than a box of matches, is a good candidate for the right edition. John Milton was alumni of the same Cambridge college as Darwin attended, Christ's College.

---

Size: 3413px × 5120px
Photo credit: © PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: 18th, 19th, beagle, century, charles, darwin, equipment, field, kit, literature, microscope, milton, naturalist