HARDWICKE'S SCIENCE-GOSSIP. 



265 



GRAPHIC MICROSCOPY. 



By E. T. DRAPER. 



No. XXIV. — Eggs of Parasite of Vulture. 



OMMONLY sur- 

 rounded with un- 

 inviting associa- 

 tions of decay and 

 pollution, the Ap- 

 terous, or wingless 

 insects, have to the 

 uninitiated a repu- 

 tation of repulsive- 

 ness and inherent 

 ugliness ; but with- 

 out comparing them 

 for beauty with 

 creatures of a high- 

 er class, they are 

 found under micro- 

 scopic examination 

 to possess an inter- 

 est essentially their 

 own. Possibly no 

 ether order shows, from the egg to perfection, a greater 

 diversity of form, or more quaint embellishment. 



The division Anoplura, commonly known as lice, 

 are parasitic on mammals and birds. The plate 

 represents the eggs of the species infesting the 

 feathers of the vulture. The number of varieties is 

 very extensive, and the egg necessarily greatly 

 diversified in configuration. Many are beautifully 

 sculptured, and provided with contrivances in the 

 shape of covers and lids. Almost every bird has a 

 distinct variety, some two or three, and different 

 forms of egg may be found in distinct and separate 

 localities, in the breast and neck, and on the under 

 side of the primary wing feathers. Birds in captivity 

 suffer severely, but scarcely any of the feathered 

 tribe escape. Specimens of the rarest beauty may 

 be obtained from the pheasant. 



Of the Acarina, or mites, a wide and interesting 

 field is open to the young microscopist. Found 

 wherever there is decay and mouldiness, even in the 

 cavities of the bones of skeletons, they may be re- 

 garded as ubiquitous. Many are extremely curious 

 No. 252.— December 1885. 



in shape and adornment, well exemplified in a 

 beautiful specimen of a wood mite of the genus 

 Oribata, procured from Mr. C. Collins, jun., of 

 Harlesden. It presents an extraordinary appearance ; 

 the development is, egg, larva, nymph, and the 

 adult male and female. The nymph changes, or 

 partly moults its skin, four or five times, carrying 

 the cast skins on its back overlapping each other, 

 and being necessarily of various sizes they give the 

 appearance of its being surrounded with a series of 

 flounces. The creature in this condition seems 

 tricked out with a general assortment of frippery and 

 furbelows. The reader is referred to Mr. Michael's 

 papers, and beautiful plates on this interesting species 

 in late numbers of the "Journal of the Microscopical 

 Society." 



Those who have not access to the writings of 

 Nicolet, Claparede, C. L. Koch, and others, on the 

 Acarina, can procure a cheap handbook, " Economic 

 Entomology ; Aptera," by Mr. Andrew Murray, pub- 

 lished by Chapman and Hall, by order of the 

 Committee of Council on Education. It is lavishly 

 illustrated with typical forms, well indexed, and 

 forms a valuable key of reference to more exhaustive 

 research. 



Crouch End. 



TEETH OF FLIES. 

 1 



By W. H. Harris. 



No. VIII. 



" FUCELLA FUCORUM," Fallen. 



THIS fly was taken on debris cast up by the tide 

 on our coast during the latter part of October, 

 but may, very probably, be taken in other situations 

 if diligently searched for. There is nothing very 

 peculiar in its general appearance to attract attention, 

 and it is therefore rather difficult to describe satis- 

 factorily, so that it may be recognised by the collector. 

 It is a rather small fly, being not more than about a 



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