CHAPTER OF VARIETIES. Ill 



two days, I tried it with my microscope, but I could perceive no living 

 creature whatever ; I tried it again after four days, but with as little 

 success. I then let the infusion stand till it became putrid, when I 

 found that it absolutely teemed with life. I perceived among others 

 the Verticella, or wheel animalcule, that shaped like an eel, and some 

 round ones, edged with spiculse, which last revolved similar to the 

 wheel animalcule. I should observe, that some of the latter possessed 

 a kind of tail. I never observed any living creature in good spring 

 water, though many impurities. There can be no doubt, I think, that 

 they owe their being to decomposition, which is certainly one of the 

 most wonderful and important phenomena of nature. I should feel 

 grateful if some of your correspondents would be so kind as to give me 

 a few hints upon this subject ; viz., by investigating in some future 

 number, the changes which take place among the particles of vegetable 

 matter when submitted to the putrefactive process, so as to produce 

 these singular creatures. TYRO. 



June 1st, 1833. 



FANNING OF THE WINGS OF CERTAIN INSECTS. May not the 

 constant fanning- of the wings of certain insects, particularly those of 

 the genus Vanessa, and the constant vibration of the wings of Seioptera 

 vibrans, &c., be intended to create a current of wind to repel the at- 

 tacks of acaridae and other little parasites, most of whom have an obvi- 

 ous antipathy to it? The explanation which some have given, of this 

 fanning being- produced by the insects to cool themselves, I think is not 

 very likely to be correct, for other insects equally exposed to the sum- 

 mer's heat do not practise this habit. The notion which some have 

 entertained, and stated, of this being performed to assist the circulation 

 of the fluids of the insects, I am just as little inclined to adopt. 



Paddington. JAMES FENNELL. 



ANIMALS SWALLOWING HARD SUBSTANCES. Ostriches, as is well 

 known, will purposely swallow, and without injury, hard substances, 

 such as stones, &c., which are digested whole, as they do not possess 

 the incredible powers of digestion attributed to one Francis Bathalia, 

 who is said to have been capable of swallowing- flints, and then, at the 

 expiration of a week, passing them in the shape of sand. The stomach 

 of the ostrich is so simple and so strong-, as readily to admit of the safe 

 passage of pointed nails, keen edged stones, and even sharp knives, as 



