A lacquered brass Withering type botanical microscope, unsigned, 19th century With objective lens mounted via twin turned uprights above an up/down adjustable circular stage with threaded central aperture carrying a condenser lends and drilled to take specimen forceps to circumference, on conforming base with pivoted plano-concave mirror between and incorporating further screw thread aperture to centre, complete with specimen forceps and two additional objective lenses, 7.5 cm (3ins approx.) high; with original tan leather covered cylindrical case, 12.5cm (5ins) high overall. The basic form of relatively simple portable botanical microscope included in the current lot was developed by Dr. William Withering (1741-99). Originating from Birmingham and an active member of the Lunar Society, Dr. Withering first described this form of microscope in his 1776 work A Botanical Arrangement of all the Vegetables Naturally Growing in Great Britain.