84 



THE AM ERIC AK MONTHLY 



[Marcli, 



fact that tlie creature in question is the larva of one of the 

 Elaterida}, or '' spring-beetles." These spircales are of remark- 

 able shape and development. The manner in which the ellipti- 

 cal opening is subdivided into two symmetrical divisions, and 

 these overarched by plates like translucent whalebone, is best set 

 forth in a drawing, being difficult of anv adequate verbal descrip- 

 tion. Lining the inner walls of the spiracle may be seen numerous 

 hairs. The office of these is obvious. But it is the office of the 

 remaining constituent parts which need explanation — the ovoid 

 sac and the tube with its funnel-like expansion. The recent 

 preparation shows very clearly that the largest tracheae begin at 

 one border of the ovoid sac and extend a measurable distance 

 before subdividing The spiral thread which holds open the 

 largest trachea; is particularly well developed and heavy. The 

 function of the sac and the trumpet-shaped tube have no further 

 light shed upon them. 



Of what character the spiracles and tracheae of the adult beetle 

 are. whether of the same type as those of the larva or otherwise, 

 is not at present known to the writer, no material of this character 

 being thus far available. 



Li the tigure below which shows the spiracle and accessories of 

 the larva of click-beetle X So, a = spiracle, /; = sac, c = tube, d = 

 funnel expansion, and c = otolihs. 



%/. 



A human tear (?) 



Spiracles (Gray). 



EDITORIAL. 



Newspaper Trash. — Sometime since, one of the New York 

 city newspapers, which claims a large circulation, published an 

 article upon the dramatic uses of weeping. It filled a column 

 with tlie cheapest of trash, amongst which was a picture labelled : 

 " A human tear under the microscope," and the following para- 

 graph : 



" A tear seen under the microscope presents some interesting 

 deep-sea views. When magnified, say, 10,000 diameters, minute 



