For visual observation the Crossley telescope is provided with seven eyepieces, with powers ranging from 620 downward. The lowest power is only 60, and consequently utilizes only 12 inches of the mirror, 9 of which are covered by the central flat. It is therefore of little value, except for finding purposes. The next lowest power utilizes 28 inches of the mirror. The other eyepieces call for no remark. But, while the Crossley reflector would doubtless be serviceable for various kinds of visual observations, its photographic applications are regarded as having the most importance, and have been chiefly considered in deciding upon the different changes and improvements which have been made. The interior of the dome is lighted at night by a large lamp, which is enclosed in a suitable box or lantern, fitted with panes of red glass, and mounted on a portable stand. In order to diffuse the light in the lower part of the dome, where most of the assistant's work is done, the walls are painted bright red; while to prevent reflected light from reaching the photographic plate, the inner surface of the dome itself, the mounting, and the ladders and gallery are painted dead black. The observer is therefore in comparative darkness, and not the slightest fogging of the plate, from the red light below, is produced during a four-hours' exposure. On the few occasions when orthochromatic plates are used the lamp need not be lighted. Experiments have shown that the fogging of the photographic plate, during a long exposure, is entirely due to diffuse light from the sky, and is therefore unavoidable. For this reason the cloth curtains which lace to the corners of the telescope tube, enclosing it and shutting out light from the lower part of the dome, have not been used, since their only effect would be to catch the wind and cause vibrations of the telescope. They would probably have little effect on the definition, and at any rate could not be expected to improve it. For photographing stars and nebulæ the Crossley reflector is provided with a double-slide plate-holder, of the form invented by Dr. Common.[8] This apparatus, which had suffered considerably in transportation, and from general wear and tear, was thoroughly overhauled by the Observatory instrument-maker. The plates were straightened and the slides refitted. A spring was introduced to oppose the right ascension screw and take up the lost motion--the most annoying defect that such a piece of apparatus can have--and various other improvements were made, as the necessity for them became apparent. They are described in detail farther below.