Hairs and Feathers. 59 



thin glass should then be laid over it, and gently 

 pressed down with the hand, or with some small im- 

 plement, as a pencil ; then the delicate rootlets extend 

 themselves, and the central bulb, somewhat like a 

 hollow lamp -wick, shows its complicated structure. 

 The reader who tries this experiment will certainly be 

 pleased and interested, and will perhaps, while ad- 

 miring the traces of design and contrivance in this 

 familiar object, remember the affecting words which 

 tell us, "The very hairs of your head are all 

 numbered." 



Where minute investigation is not the object, hairs 

 can be shown in great beauty by light from the con- 

 densing lens, when they will appear glittering like bril- 

 liant chains on a dark background; or apiece of white 

 paper may be placed below them, which shows some 

 of them in a very pleasing manner ; and most of them 

 are suitable objects for the polarizing apparatus. 



The hairs of insects are at all times familiar to the 

 collector of microscopic objects, as most preparations 

 of the limbs and heads of insects bristle with them in 

 all directions. Some of the longer hairs, however, as 

 those of the bee, cockchafer, etc., can be mounted 

 separately. 



The feathers of birds show their cellular structure 

 best by selecting those which are very small and thin, 

 and mounting them in Canada balsam ; and another 

 suitable object will be found in the fine down placed 

 next the body of the bird. 



Various brilliant feathers can be shown to some 

 advantage as opaque objects with the lower powers of 



