186 



Proceedings. 



[No. 9, NEW SERIES. 



are imbedded (in a groove) three setae, two of which are more de- 

 licate than the other and serrated at the extremity. 



These setae are only y^-oth of an inch in diameter, and near the 

 extremity but 9 5*3 0 th of an inch. It is not a little surprizing how 

 organs of such surpassing delicacy should be able to pierce the 

 human skin. It seems probable however that the blood vessels 

 are reached by way of the sudoriparous ducts. 



No. 17. — The foot of a grasshopper, is seen to be furnished with 

 cushions which break the fall of the insect, when it alights after a 

 leaf. 



No. 18. — Part of the Exuvice of a spider. 



The mandibles shown in the Photograph are said to be traversed 

 by a canal, terminating at the apex through which the secretion of 

 a poison gland is injected into any thing held between the pointed 

 claws. The mandibles are chiefly used for seizing and holding the 

 prey, which is crushed between the two flat and opposing surfaces 

 of the maxillae placed just beneath them. 



I cannot conclude these brief notes without expressing my regret 

 that the Microscope should be so little used in India. This neglect 

 of a valuable instrument cannot be caused altogether by its expense, 

 because a first class instrument may be bought for the price of a 

 Manton or Purdy, and we see no deficiency of these. Indeed a 

 very trustworthy instrument with which a great deal of work may 

 be done can now be had for from 10£ to 20£. m 



In England the use of the Microscope is becoming very general, 

 and the following extract from the annual Report of the Society of 

 Arts, London, will go further to show the estimation in which it is 

 held, than any thing I may say. 



" The important position which the Microscope now holds, not 

 only in relation to pure, but to applied science, and its great value 

 in assisting to form those habits of observation which it is the ob- 

 ject of all sound education to impart, induced the Council to believe 

 that the promoting the production of a good instrument at a price 

 which should render it more readily accessible to the many, was 

 an object worthy of the Society, and accordingly under the advice 

 and with the assistance of a Committee composed of Mr. Busk, 

 r. r. s., Dr. Carpenter, p. r. s., Mr. Jackson, Dr. Lankester, f. r. s., 



