MICSCAPE - Exploring the miniature world

Issue 314 : May 2022 (ISSN 1365 - 070x)      Monthly, next issue June 13th 2022.


index.
The lefthanded Neptunea angulata/contraria (left) compared with a right handed snail.
Image by Christina Brodie.

 


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Micscape Contacts
Micscape Editor:
David Walker
Email: micscape AT ntlworld DOT com

Please do not contact the above for image permissions. Each article contributor retains the copyright to their material so should be contacted directly via the link in the relevant article. Thank you.

Comments on Micscape and contributions welcomed.
Contributions: Any modern format welcomed i.e. pdf. doc/docx with embedded images, or html + jpegs.

The Naze #1: Neptunea angulata / contraria, the left-spiralling shell - Christina Brodie (UK) describes her visit to the eastern coast of Essex and the nature of lefthandedness in snails after finding a fossil example.

Climate change and aquatic collecting - Richard L. Howey (USA) shares examples of micro-life from local habitats and the effect of climate change.

In my library ... - Christian Autotte (Canada) shares some of his formative books on microscopy and micro-life. PDF

Microscopical exploration fifteen. A look at plant pot permeate fluid - James Stewart (UK) explores the microcosm found within.

A natural freshwater aquarium - Jennie Lawrence (USA) shares her experiences of maintaining this indoor habitat. PDF

Exploring computer graphics. Special functions: Part 1 - Richard L. Howey (USA) shares a gallery of images modified using a selection of photo-editing options.

Micscape Lite, contributors sharing their other interests.

Molecules in the News III - David Walker (UK) illustrates with physical models the molecules - infinitene, teixobactin (a new class of antibiotic) and a molecular motor made from sustainable green resources.

From the Archives. The May 2012 issue.

Columbia Instruments' FM 600, a unique US Army field microscope Part 1: Background and development - R Jordan Kreindler (USA) presents an in depth article on this microscope and includes both first hand material from the makers, Columbia Instruments, and a video showing aspects of its manufacture.

Building a double gooseneck white LED illuminator for a stereomicroscope using modular coolant hose - Richard Garber (USA) shares a design for a cold light source.

A Bausch and Lomb Greenough stereo microscope - Michael Much (USA) describes the renovation of an antique example. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

Powered USB hubs, uses for the microscopist - Andy Chick (UK) describes a dual gooseneck LED light source using such a hub. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

A review of the Offord x20 microscope - Andy Chick (UK) assesses this good value and useful model. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

A winter spider - Anthony Thomas (Canada) shares an illustrated article exploring this attractive arachnid on the macro and micro scale. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

Matching different makes - Fritz Schulze (Canada) describes the modifications required to install Vickers epi objectives onto a Zeiss Photomicroscope.

A close-up view of 'Forest Frost hens and chicks' - Brian Johnston (Canada) illustrates the macro and micro features of this plant.

Thomas Davies ca. 1831 - 1876 - Brian Stevenson (USA) presents evidence that the popular book 'The Preparation and Mounting of Microscopic Objects' has been wrongly attributed to the London based mineralogist Thomas Davies, rather than the amateur microscopist Thomas Davies of Warrington. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

Microscope slide maker “W M P” probably William Melville Paterson, 1856-1884 - Brian Stevenson (USA) suggests a likely identification of the mounter whose slides are labelled 'WMP' and whose scarce diatom slides are sometimes seen. (In Acrobat pdf format.)

A seamless broad field condenser - part 3. Refinements: the polar route. - Paul James (UK) continues his article series on developing a versatile condenser.

The Novitiate’s Odyssey episode eight: Microscopy vs. Astronomy. Finally, the definitive answer as to why Astronomy is more popular - G. Joseph Wilhelm (USA) continues his series with observations when attending a local Florida Keys 'star party' and the insight it provides into the relative popularity of the two hobbies.

Updated article: The diatomist John Albert Long (1863 - 1945): Notes on aspects of his life and work with examples of his prepared slides - David Walker (UK), December 2012 issue. Additions: Photograph of Long when at teacher training college in 1882, and notes on Long's article on the local diatom flora near his Bradford


Klaus D Kemp, British diatomist RIP. My co-webmaster Mol Smith and I are very sad to hear that Klaus passed away in hospital on May 28th as reported on Facebook by his daughter. Our sincere condolences to his family.

He leaves a very fine legacy and his prepared slides are widely used and prized. He was a highly skilled practitioner of preparing both taxonomic and decorative arranged slides.

Klaus was always helpful and patient via email with my queries as an amateur microscopist. In the Micscape archive the Search engine shows that there are currently 74 articles where the use of his slides are illustrated and acknowledged.

This YouTube video 'directed, filmed and edited by Matthew Killip' and narrated by Klaus is a delightful insight into his work and his passion for diatoms.

David Walker, UK, voluntary Micscape editor.



    We are delighted to receive contributions small or large from microscopy enthusiasts whether a novice or expert. If you have an image, tip or article, why not share it, this magazine is what you make it!

     

Archive
Look for that elusive article on our site:
Micscape Magazine past issues online
(read articles online using the original illustrated index for each month).
Article Library (browse articles by category)
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News - special notices - misc.


External links. Updated April 2020. Below are some of our favourites, which includes sites with extensive links and/or resources for the optical microscopy enthusiast.

External Microscopy forums: Places to discuss the hobby or to raise queries.
www.photomacrography.net
forums, galleries, articles on macroscopy and photomicrography.

groups.io (formerly Yahoo groups):
Amateur Microscopy
Diatom Forum
Microscopy as a hobby or profession
Wild Microscopes

Facebook groups:
Amateur Microscopy (>21000 members, very active). Also specialist groups e.g. for users of given maker's microscopes (e.g. Zeiss, Olympus, Wild, Vickers). Also try a Facebook Group search with keywords like microscope or microscopy to find these.

Other:
Microbe hunter the website ably run by Oliver Kim has built up a popular and valuable forum with help for both the beginner and more advanced user.

Listservers:
Algae-L
'Forum for marine, freshwater and terrestrial algae'. Access to Archives possible for non-subscribers.
Diatom-L 'Research on the diatom algae.' Access to Archives for subscribers only. Link was current March 2016. Many online diatom resources point to an outdated Indiana Univ. listserver. (With thanks to Rob Kimmich for the current link.)

Mikroskopie-Treff.de (Extensive German microscopy forum; some English categories.)
Mikrobiologische Vereinigung München e. V. Wide range of articles and resources in German.
Le Naturaliste French based forum and image gallery for micro / macro but open to non French speaking international contributors.

The Amateur Diatomist archive This magazine resource ably created and administered by Steve Gill has now been ported to the Microscopy-UK site with Steve's permission as the former host server is now not available.
As well as all the issues in pdf format there are a wealth of other resources in the Downloads section including by noted workers such as Barber and the complete 532 page book 'An Introduction to the Microscopical Study of Diatoms' by Robert B. McLaughlin.

Diatoms of the Arid South West Originally hosted on the website of New Mexico State University, College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Services. Archived with permission from Dave Richman, resource editor, and C. Scott Bundy of the NMSU.

Other sites (also see Societies and Clubs page.)
Royal Microscopy Society Journal, 'infocus' and other resources for members and the community.
Quekett Microscopical Club Journal, Bulletin and meetings for members.
Light Microscopy Forum links and articles
Little Imp Publications public domain books collated by Steve Gill formerly on CD and now free on Micscape.
Mikroskop Museum German website with resources on microscopes / makers .
Molecular Expressions awesome optical microscopy resources
Dennis Kunkel's SEM images stunning images
Diatoms Ireland - resource site by Leszek Wolnik
Leitz museum an illustrated resource compiled by Robert Allen
Microbe hunter microscopy enthusiast website, forum and magazine edited by Oliver Kim
Microscopies online magazine and Forum for French speakers
Micrographia articles, projects for the enthusiast
Microscopy Today
journal with online archive
Modern Microscopy
online journal by McCrone Group
Fun Science Gallery projects, articles on optics in English and Italian.
Independent Generation of Research (IGoR) - Wiki style resource for citizen scientists to share their work.
Lens On Leeuwenhoek - extensive resource online by Douglas Anderson
Collected Letters of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek ('Alle de Brieven ..') transcribed and free online at DBNL.
A Cabinet of Curiosities a resource on Victorian microscope slides by Howard Lynk
'Diatoms Ireland' resource by Leszek Wolnik
Historical makers of microscopes and microscope slides Brian Stevenson's extensive resource .
Victorian slide makers
Cambridge rocking microtome resources including manual
www.willemsmicroscope.com Dutch enthusiast Willem Cramer's website
David Jackson's Better Microscopy blog. Regularly updated free resources extending from his 'Better Microscopy' series of books.
Stefano Barone's Diatom Shop
sale of his own prepared and arranged slides of diatoms, radiolaria, forams and scales.
www.testslides.com website devoted to Stefano Barone's Diatom Lab test slides.
Darwin Biological a UK company for 'biological education' supplies. Including live cultures of protozoa and algae.
Microscopie van de Natuur Dutch microscopy resource site by Rolf Vossen.
 

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parent site coordinator:
Maurice Smith


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Micscape is a free magazine for enthusiasts funded by Microscopy-UK and dedicated to non-commercial microscopy.
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