10 



seemed inherent, it oftener ]iapj)ened, as in the 

 diamond beetles, that it was an optical effect 

 produced, by the -way in which the light fell 

 on them. Mauv also exliibited peculiar striae, 

 or markings, rendering them tests for the 

 higher objectives. The scales of fish are not 

 considered epidermic formations, as they are 

 developed in the true skin: in some cases, 

 as the common eel, they are beneath the 

 superficial layer. The shells of mollusks are 

 epidermic, being found on the surface of the 

 mantle, which answers to the true skin of 

 other animals. Each shell consists of animal 

 and calcareous matter arranged in cells, 

 prisms, lamiuas, &c. 



1867. 



Jan. A second paper on "Animal Coverings" by 

 Mr Wonfor. According to some authorities 

 the hau', fur, wool, spines, horns, and bristles 

 of mammals and the feathers of birds are all 

 of the same nature, and consist of a horny 

 tubular substance and a medullary interior, 

 generally of softer structure. They also show 

 strise, vrhich, when acted upon by acids, resolve 

 themselves into scales, more or less packed. 

 The medullary cells, under the microscope, 

 present more or less of beauty. Haks differ 

 slightly in the different orders ; some are 

 especially interesting, either from the group- 

 ing of the scales, as in the bats and moles, or 

 from the pecuhar arrangements of the air 

 cells, as in the rodents. The paper was 

 illustrated by examples of each order of 

 mammals under ordinary and polarized light. 



