Microscope-enlarger for macrophotography of histological sections.

A microscope-enlarger is described which can be used to produce 20 cm by 25 cm negatives of histological sections at magnifications up to 1,000 diameters, without loss of image quality or reduction of resolution. Standard flat-field microscope optics are used, and the apparatus is adjustable for Koehler illumination. Various microscope components (nosepiece, condenser carrier, etc.) are mounted upon carriers which ride upon a rigid vertical track. A 20 cm by 25 cm film holder is placed upon the base of the device, and illumination is controlled by a photographic timer. The microscope-enlarger has been used to produce large format negatives of Nissl-stained sections of the barins of sea lamprey larvae and to trace the course of Golgi-impregnated and cobalt-filled cells. Further uses of the device in autoradiographic and histochemical studies are mentioned.