Objects for the Microscope. 89 



one of which crosses a small transverse vein between the 

 Prabrachial and Cubital, and the second, when present, 

 runs behind the Pobrachial vein. 



These examples of wings are most useful in awakening 

 attention to the importance of minute observation, to the 

 perfect order of Creation in all its parts, to the distinct 

 individuality of each tiny fly in the presence of Him who 

 made it. How little we think of this ; how carelessly we 

 glance at the flies on our window-panes ; they are nearly 

 all alike to our unseeing eyes. We complain of them, lay 

 traps for them, kill them, but it seldom occurs to us that 

 we had better study them. 



WING OF MIDGE. 



(Psychoda.} 



Only two examples more will I give the wing of a 

 Midge and the wing of a Gnat. These both belong to the 

 first order of Diptera, the Tipulidae, which comprises all the 

 Gnats, Midges, and Daddy-long-legs, or Tipulae. There are 

 many more veins in this tiny wing than in any yet noticed, 

 and the number of areolets or enclosed spaces in the wing 

 is thirteen, every vein thickly covered with fine hairs ; 

 these are supposed to assist the insect in its downward 

 flight, by fixing the atmospheric fluid, which glides over it 

 as they rise. 



The motion of a little Midge on the window-pane is 

 always zigzag, from right to left, and left to right. Some 

 wings have six or seven spots upon them, and are called 

 Psychoda sexpunctata. 



WING OF GNAT. 



This wing differs in the various species of Gnats which 

 haunt our waterbutts, and tanks, and stagnant ponds. 

 Some have more beautiful scales than others, but this wing 

 of the common Gnat (Culex pipiens) is a good study and a 

 most pleasing object. Look at it with the lowest power 

 for the veining, and then with the highest for the scales. 



The Gnats belong to that division of flies called Tipu- 

 lidae, and also Nemocera, which means having the head 



