54 PROCURING OBJECTS. 



their being touched. Two methods are usually adopted for this pur- 

 pose, both of which are exceedingly convenient. The first instrument 

 used is simply a glass tube at both ends. The upper end of it is to be 

 held between the fingers, and the orifice closed by the thumb ; the 

 lower end is then to be immersed in the vessel of water, and the in- 

 stant the animalcule required approaches the tube, the thumb is to be 

 removed from the upper extremity, and the pressure of the atmosphere 

 will force the water with the insect up the tube, when the thumb is 

 again to close the upper apperture, and the tube with the object is to 

 be removed. These tubes may be of different diameters to suit the 

 various objects. 



55. Some of the larvae of insects are very delicate, and require 

 very gentle means for removing them for examination. This may be 

 very carefully done with the net spoon, an instrument similar to the 

 accompanying outline. It consists of a wire bent in the peculiar form 

 shown, and covered by a piece of muslin or net. 



Fig. 33. 



56. INSECTS. The insect kingdom presents innumerable objects 

 of interest to the microscopist. The antenna?, or horns the wings 

 wing-cases the structure, number, and form of the eyes the structure 

 of their feet their tongues and mouths, all form an interesting and 

 necessary branch of enquiry, which will amply repay an attentive and 

 minute examination. Most of these are opaque objects, with the 

 exception of the wings, which in many cases may be viewed as trans- 

 parent objects, particularly when prepared in the way already advised, 

 (section 37.) To prepare these objects, great patience is required, 

 inasmuch as they should be separated without injury from the body of 

 the animal. In this dissection a very fine pair of scissors will be found 

 of utility. Ills requisite that their cutting edges should be exceed- 

 ingly fine. Instruments for the purpose, can be obtained of most 



