A speculum is constructed, called _polyphaton_, that is, _which shows many objects_, for by opening and shutting it, it exhibits twenty and more images of the finger alone. You will therefore prepare it in the following manner:—Let two rectangular specula of brass or crystal be erected upon the same base, and let their length be one and a half times their width, or in any other proportion; and let two of their sides be placed together, so that they may be opened and shut like a book, and the angles varied, _as they are generally made at Venice_. For by presenting your face, you will see in both more faces the more they are shut, and the less that the angle is; but they will be diminished by opening it, and you will see fewer as you observe with a more obtuse angle. If you exhibit your finger, you will see only fingers, the right fingers being seen on the right side, and the left on the left side, which is contrary to what happens in looking-glasses, and this arises from the mutual reflexion and repulsion which produce a change of the images.[20] [20] We request that the reader will take the trouble of comparing with the original the following translation of Baptista Porta’s description, which was published in London, and copied into all the foreign newspapers, etc. We hope the translator of it had no improper motive in altering the obvious meaning of the original; yet it is singular, that in the journal where this translation appeared, the specification of the patent was published under the title of Directions for making the Kaleidoscope, purporting to be an original communication to that journal, the name of the patentee, and the technical parts of the specification having been left out, apparently to promote the belief that there was no patent, and that every person might make them with impunity. The following is the translation alluded to:—