The Microscope. 355 



Feathers of Birds. The feathers of birds aiFord a variety 

 of beauty, and differ greatly from one another, not only in their 

 form, but in the structure of each particular part. The feathers 

 of tropical birds have the most beautiful plumage. The handsome 

 and delicate colors of the humming bird and the tail of the pea- 

 cock are w^ell worth observation. 



Scales or Fishes. The scales or outward coverings of 

 fishes, are formed with surprising beauty and variety of shape, and 

 texture — as the perch, sole, barbel, cod, etc. The scales of eels 

 in particular are very small; — the way of preparing them is to 

 take them off with the forceps, and put them between a sheet of 

 paper to keep them flat till dry. The arrangement of the scales 

 of fishes bears a resemblance to that of the feathers of birds. 

 The serpent and lizard have likewise scales. The scales of the 

 sole and dace are well worth preserving for the microscope. 



Hairs of Animals. Hairs of animals are very different in 

 their appearance before the microscope, and will furnish a great 

 variety of pleasing observations; they are composed of small tubes 

 or pipes. There is also in the hair of many animals spiral lines; 

 a mouse's hair is of this'description; the human hair is also a 

 good specimen. 



Farina of Flowers. The farina or scaly powder, found 

 on t'he top of every flower, deserves the strictest examination. 

 This powder, whose color is different in flowers of different 

 kinds, was formerly supposed to be an unnecessary part of the 

 plant; but the microscope has also made surprising discoveries 

 here, by showing that they are minute, uniform bodies, constantly 

 of the same figure. This powder Is produced and preserved in 

 vessels wonderfully contrived to open and discharge it when it be- 

 comes mature; there are, likewise, seed vessels in the centre, 

 ready to receive them; and on the powder depends the fertility 

 of the seed, for if the farina vessels were cut away, the seed 

 would become barren. In the farina of the melon it appears as 

 opaque black balls; in the sunflower, surrounded with sharp 

 points; in the tulip, like the seeds of cucumbers. Gather the 

 farina on a fine sun-shining day, when the dew is off, be careful 

 not to squeeze or press it. Gently brush it off with a soft hair 

 pencil upon a piece of clean paper or slides prepared with a httle 

 gumwater. 



Down of Plants, Nature has supphed the seeds of the 

 thistles and many other plants with a down, which serves, instead 

 of wings, to convey them from one place to another. The figures 

 of such clown are very different when examined by the glass, 



