38 The Microscope. 



tiful harmony of their hues, and the elegance of their 

 adornment. The wings are the only part generally 

 mounted for the microscope ; but if a whole butterfly 

 is examined, which may be safely and easily done by 

 removing one from an entomologist's collection and 

 sticking its pin into a morsel of cork, which is gene- 

 rally to be found in the handle of the stage forceps, it 

 will be seen that the whole bodies of these insects also 

 are clothed with scales. 



In exhibiting the wings of moths and butterflies 

 the effect is much heightened by a proper arrange- 

 ment of the light, which should be placed so as to 

 throw an artistic shadow from every scale. This 

 suggestion may seem a trifle, but the trite maxim 

 concerning trifles tending to produce perfection will 

 excuse its being made. 



Fig. 2 shows the scales of a moth very common 

 on fine evenings in June, called the " ghost moth ;" 

 they are very like bay leaves in shape. The scales on 

 the inside of the wing are different, and thinly 

 scattered (fig. 3). The wings of this moth are 

 yellowish, having (on the upper sides) what look 

 like delicately-painted streaks of pink ; these are red 

 scales. 



Some of the scales of moths and butterflies will De 

 admired for their delicate hues ; others shine with a 

 brilliant metallic lustre, to which the best painted 

 representation could scarcely do justice. The " little 

 green Forester-moth " (fig. 4) is one of these ; it has 

 scales of two different shapes on its wings (fig. 5), the 

 longer being brilliant yellowish green, and the shorter 



