76 Dissections of Insects. 



the copulatory act. I think this curious fatality is limited 

 to few species. 



To study viscera, which of course requires very careful 

 dissection, we need more apparatus than has been yet 

 described. Here a good lens is indispensable. A small 

 dissecting knife, a delicate pair of forceps, and some small 

 sharp-pointed dissecting scissors — those of the renowned 

 Swammerdam were so fine at the point that it required a 

 lens to sharpen them — which may also serve to clip the 

 wings of queens, are requisite to satisfactory work. Speci- 

 mens put in alcohol will be improved, as the oil will .be 

 dissolved out and the muscles hardened. Placing them in 

 hot water will do nearly as well, in which case oil of tur- 

 pentine will dissolve off the fat. This may be applied 

 with a camel's-hair brush. By dissecting under water the 

 loose portions will float off, and render effective work 

 more easy. Swammei'dam, who had that most valuable 

 requisite to a naturalist, unlimited patience, not only dis- 

 sected out the parts, but with small glass tubes, fine as a 

 hair, he injected the vai-ious vessels, as the alimentary canal 

 and air-tubes. My reader, why may not you look in upon 

 these wondrous beauties and marvels of God's own handi- 

 work — nature's grand exposition? Father, why would, 

 not a set of dissecting mstruments be a most suitable gift to 

 your son? You might thus sow the seed which would 

 germinate into a Swammerdam, and that on your own 

 hearth-stone. Messrs. Editors, why do not you, among 

 your apiarian supplies, keep boxes of these instruments, 

 and thus aid to light the torch of genius and hasten apiarian 

 research? 



TRANSFORMATIONS OF INSECTS. 



What in all the realm of nature is so worthy to awaken 

 delight and admiration as the astonishing changes which 

 insects undergo? Just think of the sluggish, repulsive 

 caterpillar, dragging its heavy form over clod or bush, or 

 mining in dirt and filth, changed, by the wand of nature's 

 great magician, lirst into the motionless chrysalis, decked 

 with green and gold, and beautiful as the gem that glitters 

 on the finger of beauty, then bursting forth as the graceful. 



