68 A HALF-HOUR WITH THE 



their wings. These scales assume a wonderful 

 variety of form, and claim a large amount of 

 attention from the microscopic observer, and can- 

 not be neglected by the entomologist. 



The little blue argus butterfly has scales in the 

 shape of a battledore (Fig. 215, PL 8) ; the handle 

 being the part attached to the wing. All the scales 

 have handles of this sort, whatever be their shape 

 (Fig. 216). Sometimes the scale is broad at the base, 

 and pointed at top. In the meadow brown butter- 

 fly, the point is surmounted with little clubbed 

 projections (Fig. 217, PL 8). Scales are found on 

 other insects besides moths and butterflies : thus 

 they are found on the common gnat (Fig. 218). 

 Besides their curious forms, the scales are marked 

 with lines which are exceedingly delicate, and 

 require the highest powers of the Microscope to 

 bring them out. Some of the scales are thus used 

 as tests for the powers of the Microscope. 



Just as we have seen in the tongues and legs of 

 insects, the same parts expanded or compressed 

 according to the wants of the animal, so we find 

 the scales assuming various forms. The scales 

 stand in exactly the same relation to the hairs in 

 insects, that the scales of fishes and reptiles do to 

 the feathers of birds and the hairs of mammals. 

 Hair-like scales are therefore not uncommon (Figs. 

 219, 220, PL 8). Such may be found on the common 

 clothes-moth. 



The young microscopist for whom our book is 

 written, and with which we hope to make him 

 dissatisfied, in order to facilitate his progress in 

 natural history inquiries, will not spend much 

 time in making dissections. Should he wish to do 

 so, he will find the structure of insects full of 

 interest. He has only to open a cockroach to see 

 how curiously their digestive apparatus is con- 



