18 Objects for the Microscope. 



CUTICLE OF TILLANDSIA. 



The under side of the leaves and the stem of this plant 

 are adorned with delicate scales, as of the finest network. 



The plant itself is a native of South America and the 

 West Indies. The whole tribe dislike water ; and Lin- 

 nseus named the genus from a professor in Sweden, who, 

 having once experienced a very rough passage from 

 Stockholm to Abo, determined never again to cross the 

 water ; he even changed his own name to that of " Til- 

 lands," which means on or by land ; and actually, when 

 obliged to return to Stockholm, preferred travelling ^00 

 miles round by Lapland to going a direct road of eight 

 miles by sea. 



One species of Tillandsia (utriculata) which grows upon 

 old and decaying trees in the forest of Jamaica, has leaves 

 a yard long, inflated at the base, which form a reservoir for 

 water. Each leaf holds about a quart of fluid, and wild 

 cattle seek refreshment there. Travellers also, under the 

 hottest sun, may turn aside and find a sweet pool of water 

 in dry seasons, when all other supplies have failed. 



CUTICLE OF ONOSMA. 



The Onosma is a native of Tauria, near the Bosphorus. 

 The plant is small, with handsome flowers, flourishing in 

 sandy soil ; and this cuticle is very beautiful under polarized 

 light, 



CUTICLE OF OPUNTIA. 



This beautiful cuticle is from the leaf of the Opuntia, a 

 kind of Cactus or Indian fig, and on one of them the 

 cochineal insect is found : this is from the Opuntia vulgaris, 

 which bears a large purple juicy fruit, and is a spiny 

 shrub, growing abundantly on Mount Etna amidst its 

 lava. It is, however, a native of South America, and the 

 way in which it has been naturalised and made most useful 

 in Sicily is remarkable. As soon as a little fissure is per- 

 ceived in the lava, a small branch or joint of Opuntia is 

 stuck in ; the latter pushes out roots, which are nourished 

 by the rain which collects round them, or by whatever dust 



