322 The Microscope. 



The Circulio Argentatus. A male species of the diamond 

 beetle found in England. It is about a quarter of an inch in length 

 and, viewed with the microscope, exhibits a splendor of the dia- 

 mond character, produced by a covering of scales of a beautiful 

 gold-green color: it may be found in the fields and gardens, in the 

 summer months, or on the leaves of trees, t^c 



Caterpillars. The caterpillar is one state of the butterfly. 

 If the silk worm be observed in every stage, from the caterpillar 

 to the moth, it will give a correct notion of this class in general. 



The body consists of twelve rings, and the changing its skin is 

 effected by its withdrawing from the old one as from a sheath ; 

 and to accomplish which seems to be the work of lime, but which 

 they do successively three times before they arrive at their per- 

 fect state. The skins which they shed may be view^ed by the mi- 

 croscope to much greater advantage than the real insect, and are 

 well worth procuring ; one, in particular, having four tufts of yel- 

 low hairs, and covered with smaller ones : these, when examined, 

 appear like feathers. 



Insects on the Bark and Leaves of the Ash. On the 

 bark and leaves of the ash and other trees a small insect is found, 

 inclosed in a dark spot, not larger than a pin's head ; each spot 

 serves as a covering for thirty or forty ova, which, on removing 

 a fine silken covering, may be seen of a scarlet color ; these turn 

 to a beautiful little insect of the same color, but extremely minute, 

 and it is pleasing to see them creep out of their cases. 



The Flea. This well-known insect is covered all over with 

 a shining armor, or scale, curiously jointed, and folding one over 

 the other, with long spikes in regular order: its neck is finely 

 arched: its head is very extraordinary, for, from the front part 

 proceeds two legs, and betv\^een them its sucker or piercer, by 

 which it penetrates the skin of animals, and draws out the blood. 

 It has two large black eyes, and a pair of horns, or feelers; it has 

 also four other legs, and when it takes its amazing leaps, it folds 

 the short ones within the others, and, exerting its spring at the same 

 lime, carries itself to a great distance for so small a creature. 

 These insects are male and female; they deposit their eggs on 

 the hair of cats, dogs, ^-c, sticking them on with a kind of gluti- 

 nous matter. When hatched, they are not perfect, but are small 

 maggots, which feed on the juices of the body ; from this state 

 they change to the perfect flea. By keeping a few of them in a 

 glass tube, you may procure their eggs. The best method of dis- 

 secting a flea is in water; and to examine the sting, cut off the 

 head, and place it under the glass, — by gently pressing it, you 

 force out the sting; this sting, or lancet, is lodged between the 



