73 



has been likened by some to the feathers of birds, by 

 others, to the scales of fishes. In fact, if we regard 

 the wing of a butterfly with a good microscope, we 

 shall perceive it studded over with a variety of little 

 grains of different dimensions and forms, generally 

 supported on a footstalk; regularly laid upon the whole 

 surface. Nothing can exceed the beautiful and regiu 

 lar arrangement of thess little substances. Those of one 

 rank are a little covered by those that follow : they 

 are of many figures : here may be seen a succession of 

 oval studs ; there a cluster of studs, each in the form 

 of a heart : in one place they resemble a hand open, 

 and in another they are long or triangular, while all 

 are interspersed with taller studs that grow between 

 the rest like mushrooms upon a stalk. 



The eyes of butterflies have not all the same form, 

 for in some they are large, in others small. In all of 

 them the outward coat has a lustre, in which may be 

 discovered the various colours of the rainbow. When 

 examined closely, it will be found to have the appear, 

 ance oi' a multiplying. glass ; having a great number of 

 sides or facets, in the manner of a brilliant cut dia- 

 mond. These animals, therefore, sea not only with 

 great clearness, but view every object multiplied in a 

 surprising manner. Puget adapted the cornea of a fly 

 in such a position as to see objects through it by 

 means of a microscope; and nothing could exceed the 

 strangeness of its representations : a soldier, who wa^ 

 seen through it, appeared like an army of pigmies ; 

 for while it multiplied, it also diminished the object. 

 It still, however, remains a doubt, whether the insect 

 sees objects singly, as with oue eye, or whether every 

 facet is itselt a complete eye, exhibiting its own object 

 distinct from all the rest. The trunk, which few but- 

 terflies are without, is placed exactly between the eyes, 

 \vhich, when the animal is not seeking its nourish, 

 menl, is rolled up like a curl. A butterfly, when it 

 is feeding, (lies round some flower and settles upon it. 

 The trunk is then uncurled, and thrust out, searching 

 the flower to its very bottom. Tiiis search being re- 



VOL. II. 



