l888.] NEW-YORK MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 81 



THE MOUTH-PARTS OF CICADA. 



BY F. W. LEGGETT. 



(A Description of Exhibit No. i^ of the Programme of November ^th, 1887.) 



The specimens exhibited this evening are implements con- 

 tained within the proboscis of Cicada. They are six in number ; 

 but a careless examination would lead one to suppose their num- 

 ber to be but four. This is because the hooked gouges appear as 

 one piece, until separated ; when they are found to be a serrated 

 gouge within a gouge ; the hooks turned in different directions, 

 and one projecting beyond the other. The two other imple- 

 ments are long rods, sloped, near the outer ends, to a rather 

 sharp point. On this slope are located six knobs. The inner 

 side is straight and finely serrated. 



There is a peculiarity about Cicada that does not appear to be 

 noted, that is, its ability to retain life, when deprived of that 

 generally-considered necessary appendage, the head. On 

 August 17th I captured one, just emerging from its pupa-state. 

 In some way one of its wings was injured. At 4 p. m., of the 

 same day, I amputated its head, and mounted its mouth-parts. 

 At 10 p. M., as the trunk exhibited vigorous signs of life, I laid 

 it carefully away. At 7 5^ a. m., of the next day — August 18th 

 — the trunk was moving the legs, and endeavoring to move the 

 wings ; at 5 p. m., still living and twitching the wings and feet ; 

 at 10 p. M., when I went to bed, it was still alive. It died some- 

 time during the night, at what hour I am unable to state, but it 

 lived 30 hours, at least, without its head. Query : Did it die 

 from the effect of the amputation, or lack of food ? 



REPORT UPON THE EXAMINATION OF THE FA- 

 SOLDX TEST-PLATES. 



BY P. H. DUDLEY, C. E. 

 {Presented October list, 1887.) 



Being in Albany recently I accepted an invitation from Mr. 

 Chas. Fasoldt to examine Test-Plates of his ruling, as shown by 

 his new vertical illuminator, lamp, and specially-constructed 

 microscope. It was an interesting and instructive evening. For, 



