[Illustration: Fig. 196.--Sectional view of bright-line Spectroscope; the letters also apply to the standard spectrum scale (Fig. 198).] A is a brass tube, carrying the compound direct vision prism; B, a milled head, with screw motion to adjust the focus of the achromatic eye lens C, seen in the sectional view as a triple combination of prisms. Another screw at right angles to C, which from its position cannot be well shown in the figure, regulates the slit horizontally. This screw has a larger head, and when once recognised cannot be mistaken for the other. D D is a clip and ledge for holding a small tube, so that the spectrum given by its contents may be compared with one from an object on the stage. E is a round hole for a square-headed screw, opening and shutting a slit, admitting the quantity of light required to form the second spectrum. A light entering the round hole near E strikes against the right-angled prism, which is placed inside the apparatus, and is reflected up through the slit belonging to the compound prism. If any incandescent object be placed in a suitable position with reference to the round hole, its spectrum will be obtained. F shows the position of the field lens of the eye-piece. The tube is made to fit the microscope to which the instrument is applied. To use this instrument insert F as an eye-piece in the microscope tube, taking care that the slit at the top of the eye-piece is in the same direction as the slit below the prism. Screw on to the microscope the object-glass required, and place the object whose spectrum is to be viewed on the stage. Illuminate with the stage mirror if it be transparent; with mirror, Lieberkühn, and dark well, by side reflector, or bull’s-eye condenser if opaque. Remove A, and open the slit by means of the milled-head, not shown in figure, but which is at right angles to D D. When the slit is sufficiently open the rest of the apparatus acts as an ordinary eye-piece, and any object can be focussed in the usual way. Having focussed the object, replace A, and gradually close the slit till a good spectrum is obtained. The spectrum will be much improved by throwing the object a little out of focus. [Illustration: Figs. 197 and 197_a_.--The Beck-Sorby Micro-spectroscope Eye-piece, drawn on a scale of one half size.] Every part of the spectrum differs a little from adjacent parts in refrangibility, and delicate bands or lines can only be brought out by accurately focussing that particular part of the spectrum. This can be done by the milled-head B. Disappointment will occur in any attempt at delicate investigation if the directions given be not carefully followed out. Opposite E a small mirror is attached. It is like the mirror below the stage of a microscope, and is mounted in a similar manner. By means of this mirror light may be reflected into the eye-piece, and in this way two spectra may be procured from one lamp. Method of using the Micro-Spectroscope.