57 



bony thorn ; and, in the third place, (which, 

 says Dr. Paley, appears to be the most remark- 

 able property of all,) this tip is dentated on 

 both sides, like the beard of an arrow or the 

 barb of a hook. The description of the part 

 declares its use. The bird having exposed the 

 retreats of the insects by the assistance of its 

 bill, with a motion inconceivably quick, launches 

 out at them this long tongue; transfixes them 

 upon the barbed needle at the end of it; and 

 thus draws its prey within its mouth. 



INTERESTING EXPERIMENT FOR THE MICRO- 

 SCOPE. 



The embryo grain of wheat, at the time of 

 blossoming, being carefully taken out of the 

 'husk, will be found to have a small downy tuft 

 at its extremity, which, when viewed in a micro- 

 scrope, greatly resembles the branches of thorn, 

 spreading archwise in oppsoite directions. By 

 expanding a few of the grains, and selecting the 

 most perfect, a very pretty microscopical object 

 will be obtained for preservation. 



D 3 



