Microscopic Observations. 43 



parlor, may serve to pass many a tedious hour of winter, when 

 we are secluded from the free participation of studies connected 

 with an outdoor communion with Flora. Radiating from the 

 lamina of a simple leaf, we may discover myriad mimic stars in 

 a limited field of a few inches. Transparent crystalline bead 

 on bead may be seen in a single hair of another species. Jointed 

 in distinct and frequent articulations, you will have the mimicry 

 of the stately Bambusa (Bamboo) in the length of an eighth of 

 an inch. Furcillated and pectinated, plumose and simple, soli- 

 tary or by pairs, their forms are equally of individual and pecu- 

 liar interest. The fang of the rattlesnake, [Crotalus^) with its 

 remarkable structure, is displayed in the excretory hairs of the 

 C/i'tica, while the highly irritating pubescence on the pods of 

 jDolichos pruriens [Mucuna pruriens Dec.) has furnished a valu- 

 able article in the practice of pharmacology. 



The fragrance with which the foliage of some plants is fur- 

 nished, and which it gives out when bruised, proceeds from a va- 

 riety of organs appropriately contrived to secrete it. Among 

 others we have noticed a curious provision in Primula prae^nitens, 

 whose leaves possess a not unpleasant odor.* A minute section 

 of a leaf submitted to a magnifying power of two thousand five 

 hundred times, and in a vertical direction, displayed a great num- 

 ber of perfectly transparent hairs of various lengths, each sur- 

 mounted with a gland, from which issues the peculiar odor of the 

 leaf. The delicacy of this body requires that considerable care 

 be used in preparing the section of the leaf for the microscope. 

 The glandular sun)mits of several were broken, and exhibited a 

 flaccidity such as might arise from the rupture of an attenuated 

 juice from between the delicate and thin membrane of the hair. 

 The young shoot of Ferbena JVlelindres (chamsedrifolia Sict.) 

 submitted to the same test, was furnished with flat and twisted 

 hairs, inserted on a short pedicel, and articulated with it. The 

 cellular tissue of the mosses affords a spectacle of no ordinary 

 interest; but we could not have previously conceived that a few 

 such seemingly simple and uninteresting objects could have open- 

 ed to us such a field of observation, instruction and delight. 



Hoping to be able to pursue the subject more in minute detail 

 at some future time, we may be prompted to give the results to 

 this journal, should the present number prove acceptable. 



Yours, 



A Correspondent. 



* So far from considering the odor of the foliage of this beautiful ])lant 

 at all unpleasant, we view it as a property reconinicnding it to cultiva- 

 tion. A few leaves in a bouquet add a more agreeable odor, to our 

 mind, than those of the rose geranium. — Cond. 



