Does increasing the # of prisms, increase spectral detail

In Norman Lockyer's publication (around 1874) he shows a solar spectroscope with "a train of prisms, thus giving the same effect as if thirteen prisms had been employed." How did that work? I'm thinking that perhaps it spread out the spectrum "wider" thus showing more lines?
Thank you!

That's pretty much how its done. The prisms are made to be movable, so you can fine tune whatever spectra you want. Such devices are also called monochromators.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monochromat…

Today's hardware for spectrograph's use diffraction gratings. These offer better resolution of whatever spectra that you want to investigate.
http://outreach.atnf.csiro.au/education/…
http://www.samirkharusi.net/spectrograph…
http://astrosurf.com/buil/