This is another type of simple microscope that I used to make by the dozens for my students.
To make the lens you will need to heat the end of a pyrex rod until it is molten. While the glass is soft, pull off the end using forceps to get only clean glass. Rotate the glass rod evenly in the flame to form a smooth shaped lens or dome as shown at the left.
After cooling, the glass may be scored and snapped off around 8mm from the lens tip. You will probably want to hold the glass end with pliers while you snap it off.
You want a fairly flat surface at the break. Do not fire polish this surface.
A rectangle of plexiglass about the dimensions
of a microscope slide (but thicker) needs to be cut. Sand the
edges and sharp corners with "wet or dry" sand paper.
An 8mm diameter hole will need to be drilled through the center of the plexiglass.
The glass lens is then "super glued" into this hole to complete the microscope.
To use the microscope, the sample is mounted on a standard slide (flat slide with/without cover slip or well slide).
This slide is then placed on the microscope as shown.
You may need to slightly raise/lower one end to focus the object.