THE MICROSCOPE. 93 



completes the task. Now this instrument remains buried almost 

 up to the hilt, and catmot be withdrawn by force ; the head is just 

 torn off in the attempt ; but if you want to remove them, tickle 

 them, i.e., brush them over with oil, and being stifled, they will 

 seek to escape, and you may then secure them. For about the 

 front half of the labium, on its upper surface, is an open channel : 

 at the hinder half, attached to this channel on either side, is an 

 elastic membrane (see diagram PI. 9, Fig 3b). Along the middle 

 runs a white line, the indication of a ridge, which prevents the 

 membrane falling in, and so destroying the vacuum. So far as I can 

 judge, I think that the arrangement at the base may be very probably 

 adapted for sucking ; but it would require the dissection of fresh 

 specimens to feel confident on such a point. 



I once purchased a Tortoise on the flags at the Exchange, 

 which to my delight had some 30 specimens of its Tick upon it ; 

 and several specimens have been also brought me in the living 

 state, of the species which occurs on the Weasel. I wish 

 members would collect all the Ticks they can — there is one not 

 uncommon on the Dog ; one is found on the Sheep ; one occurs 

 on the Deer ; and one in the nest of the Bank-Swallow. No 

 doubt there is a vast number of species, on which scarcely any- 

 thing has as yet been published. Some species occur in America, 

 which are known there by the name of " Piques,'' whose attacks 

 are very distressing, and sometimes dangerous, both to men and 

 cattle. Members having relatives or correspondents there, who 

 could procure some of these, would be able to render right loyal 

 service. The " insects " which are so troublesome at times to 

 canaries and other singing birds, should be sought for ; to put 

 them into glycerine at once, is the best way to preserve them. 

 The Pigeon Tick — Argas reflextis, is also worth notice. I have 

 little doubt it is the "large Ixodes," which Denny mentions 

 having found on the Pigeon (Mon. Anop. Brit, p. 173), and any 

 of our members having access to Dove-Cotes, might be able, with 

 a little exertion, to secure them. 



Egg of Louse of VielUot's Pheasant.— (9i7;«W,fj- Colchici is 

 the name of the Louse of the Common Pheasant. I cannot just 

 now say whether the Louse of Vieillot's Pheasant be the same 

 species, nor do I know the eggs of the parasite of the Common 

 Pheasant. In mounting such objects one may injure their value 

 materially, by sticking a lot together for the sake of effect, instead 

 of being content to obtain this truthfully, by attaching portions of 

 feathers to the glass slip — each independently. I never knew eggs 

 to occur in groups, or in such large clusters as are sometimes shewn. 

 I have seen a singular chitinous thread attached to the lid of one 

 of these eggs. Is it merely casual, or does it furnish a mark of 

 specific distinction ? 



