The Microscope. 1Z9' 



representation of one from the anterior series of barbules with 

 its digitation, serration and segmentation. The posterior series 

 differs from the other only in the abrupt absence of the divided 

 extremity of the barbnle. The segmentation strikingly resembles- 

 that of a tapeworm. 



What an instantaneous transition from visions of iridescent 

 glories, to myriapods, spider's feet, and tapeworm ! yet this is but 

 one disapointment in studying the modifications in the micro- 

 scopic structure of feathers, to be offset by many in the other- 

 direction. 



A remarkable variation is found in the extremities of the shaft 

 and barbs of some feathers on the crest, throat, breast, wings and 

 tail of several species belonging to widely separated genera. An 

 example may be named in the case of the cedar bird, where the- 

 tips of the shaft of the secondaries and tertials, as well as of the 

 tail feathers, are expanded into conspicuous appendages, reach- 

 ing beyond the contour outline of the feather to which they are- 

 attached. They are scarlet-red, and are composed of the same 

 horny material as that of which the exterior of the entire feather 

 is formed. In each the outline is widest at the rounded extremity,, 

 tapering uniformly backwards until lost in transposition into the 

 shafts of the feather and its barbs. It is without pith, and 

 resembles red sealing wax which has been poured upon the 

 feather in a melted state, involving the ends of several barbs on. 

 one side of the shaft but leaving the lower portions still distinct 

 and without the characteristic coloring. In one instance, only 

 the anterior series of barbules are buried in the scarlet mass- 

 while the posterior series remain free. 



At some stage of the development of this singular appendage 

 it has received an imprint of the barbs and their vanelets of bar- 

 bules in their reverse arrangement. 



But for the latter circumstance, the presumption would be 

 that the apparent impression is not an. imprint, but the barb- 

 itself, partially or slightly covered by the pseudo-sealing wax. 

 Possibly more extensive observations may show that some of 

 the wing-feathers may not reveal such markings, and the tail 

 feathers, which do not ordinarily have those appendices, even on 

 the oldest male birds, may give some clew to their history in 

 development. They have never been seen, so far as I am aware^. 

 on the feathers of this species of the first year, and not at their 



