Many features of the epidermis can be seen in whole mounts at low magnification with the compound microscope.  This is widely known as the Weboski Method!

Mount two 1 cm square piece of a leaf blade on a microscope slide.

Have the lower surface facing up with one square and the opposite side facing up with the other.

Use tape to secure the leaf pieces at each end. Do NOT cover them with tape!!!

Place the slide on the microscope stage.

Be sure to have the 4X microscope objective is in place.

Move the slide so that the leaf is under the objective.

Be sure that the condenser iris is wide open.

Flip UP the high magnification swinging lens, Focus & Center the Condenser.

Turn the illuminator up. You may need to use maximal illumination.

This creates an extremely bright concentrated area of illumination. In many cases there is enough transmitted light to view epidermal features.

You may be able to use the 10X objective but be careful NOT to bring it into contact with the leaf.