A lens tube of a microscope includes a plurality of observation ports, and
first and second optical path switching portions that move relative to
each other for switching an optical path to an arbitrary one of the
observation ports. The first optical path switching portion can switch
for guiding light from a specimen to the second optical path switching
portion through a first optical element of the first optical path
switching portion, or for guiding the light to the second optical path
switching portion iwthout passing through the first optical element. The
second optical path switching portion can switch for guiding the light
from the first optical path switching portion to an arbitrary one of the
observation ports through a second optical element of the second optical
path switching portion, or for guiding the light to an arbitrary one of
the observation ports without passing through the second optical element.