DIRECTIONS FOR THE MICROSCOPE. 
332 
up, and thus rendering visible, the smallest vessels which could be dis- 
covered by the microscope, to trace their courses and communications 
or sometimes to inject them with coloured liquors. 
PARTS QF INSECTS FOR THE MICROSCOPE. 
The head and the parts of the mouth can seldom be examined without 
the aid of a microscope ; consequently, much still remains to be don e 
in this department of science: the palpi, mandibles, nw,rilla, fyc. (O r 
their use and situation, see page 21 to 20) would forma most beauti- 
ful series of objects, which may be rendered still more interesting by 
a knowledge of the manners, economy, See. of the animals; these parts 
can always he separated and displayed, however old the specimen may 
be, by being plunged into boiling water, and then placed on a piece of 
blotting paper to extract whatever water remains about them : the 
parts of the mouth may then be displayed by means of the setting 
needle, and when the articulations arc fine and in danger of breaking* 
a camel’s hair pencil will be found extremely useful. The abdomen 
and legs frequently display the most lively and brilliant colours, espe- 
cially tiic Chrysalides; the minute Ichneumons arc no less to be admired) 
either for their beauty or the singularity of their manners. The wings* 
for transparent objects, form an endless variety ; the disposition of the 
nerves is frequently found essential in their generic character, as in th e 
Tenthredinidre: these, no doubt, would frequently, with oilier parts, he 
useful in forming natural genera of many families, both of Ily»i(' 
noptcra and Diptera, as the parts arc easy of examination : in fact, there 
is no part of an insect but what may be rendered a pleasing and Wr 
teresting subject. The copious directions fop collecting them that I 
have before given, will render any further directions on this head un- 
necessary. 
There is no substanec in nature but what will bear an examination 
by the microscope: consequently this instrument is a never-failing 
source of rational amusement; the hair of animals, the feathers <d 
birds, the scales of fish, hones, the circulation of the blood, cuttings o> 
wood, seeds, vegetable infusions, the leaves of plants, and the innu- 
merable animalcule which are i'ound in every decaying substance, win 
afford employment never to be regretted : I shall therefore close this 
part of the subject by a few brief directions for preparing, examining* 
and obtaining the above, which I trust will he found sufficient for the 
purpose. 
