Dissection of Insects. 61 



secting 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. Specimens put in alcohol will be im- 

 proved, 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 turpentine will dissolve oflf" 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. Swammerdam, who had that most valuable requisite 

 to a naturalist, unlimited patience, not only dissected out the 

 parts, but with small glass tubes, fine as a hair, he injected the 

 various tubes, as the alimentary canal and air-tubes. My 

 reader, why may not you look in upon those wondrous beauties 

 and marvels of God's own handiwork— nature's grand exposi- 

 tion? Father, why would not a set of dissecting instruments 

 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, 

 first 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, gorgeous butterfly ; which, 

 by its brilliant tints and elegant poise, outrivals even the birds 

 among the life-jewels of nature, and is made fit to revel in all 

 her decorative wealth. The little fly, too, with wings dyed in 

 rainbow-hues, flitting like a fairy from leaf to flower, was but 

 yesterday the repulsive maggot, reveling in the veriest filth of 

 decaying nature. The grub to-day drags its slimy shape 

 through the slums of earth, on which it fattens ; to-morrow it 

 will glitter as the brilliant setting in the bracelet and ear-drops 

 of the gay and thoughtless belle. 



