130 THE AMERICAN MONTHLY [May 



and by keeping the jar covered, the beetles depositing 

 eggs produce a new brood, but this is likely to deplete 

 the stock. "To find the Gregarinidae for demonstration 

 or study, snip off with small scissors both ends of a larva, 

 sieze the protruding (white) intestine with forceps, draw it 

 out, and tease a portion in normal salt solution (water will 

 do) on a slide. Cover, find with the low-power, minute 

 oblong, transparent bodies, and study with any higher 

 objective to suit. The larvse serve another purpose ; they 

 are used for feeding certain birds or chameleons, &c, so 

 that in large cities they may be found for sal§ at bird 

 stores." 



Amos Topping. — The news of his death, on February 

 25th, was received with deep regret. Although he was 

 sixty-nine years years old, he carried his age well, and had 

 the heart and manners of a young man. His genial dis- 

 position; sympathetic nature, and even temper gained for 

 him warm friends wherever he went. He may be said to 

 have died in harness. It was his rule to call upon the Lon- 

 don opticians, with whom he did business, every week : 

 and so recently as February 22nd, three days before his 

 death, he paid his usual visits and seemed to be in his or- 

 dinary state of health. His death was due to syncope, and 

 was quite sudden and unexpected. His life had been en- 

 tirely devoted to microscopical work. Mr. Topping's fa- 

 ther enjoyed a high reputation in his day for his prepara- 

 tions for the microscope, and the son began to take part 

 in the work at the early age of twelve years. For a period 

 of fifty-seven years he has sent forth to the world objects 

 of exquisite, beauty, much above the average in their free- 

 dom from imperfection, and all characterized by great 

 care and neat finish. In every department of his work he 

 was extremely successful, but he has always been noted 

 for one particular slide, and that is the proboscis of the 

 blow-fly. No other preparer has succeeded in so mount- 

 ing this subject as to render it sufficiently flat for use as 



