Among the highlights of the diverse and fascinating collection assembled here are a 16th-century sundial that keeps time according to five different systems; a model of Newton s reflecting telescope; a 17th-century thermometer; an outrageously ornate silver microscope bedecked with classical urns and a pair of mermaids; Ohm s resistance apparatus; a Victorian stethoscope; and a Dewar vacuum flask prototype of the thermos bottle...Each of the 73 instruments included is shown in a generous full-color reproduction accompanied by an informative commentary...