E

ON THE

MICROSCOPE

rc

IFRT

NEWMAN

KENT
6

ON

THE

MICROSCOPE;
CONTAINING
A
PRACTICAL

MICROSCOPES:
THEIR
AN

DESCRIPTION

OF THE MOST

IMPROVED

A GENERAL HISTORY of INSECTS,

TRANSFORMATIONS, PECULIAR HABITS, and CECONOMY
VARIOUS
SPECIES
r

ACCOUNT OF THE AND SINGULAR PROPERTIES OF THE

H Y D R JE
A

and

V O R T I C E L L /E
OF

DESCRIPTION

Three Hundred

and Seventy-Nine Animalcula, WITH A CONCISE

of

CATALOGUE
A

INTERESTING OBJECTS;
OF

VIEW

THE
of

ORGANIZATION
AND
CONFIGURATION
of

TIMBER,
the

THE
MICROSCOPE.
S,
..

SALTS when under

By

G E O R G E
N D

a'

D A M

MATHEMATICAL INSTRUMENT MAKER to- His MAJESTY, and OPTICIAN to His ROYAL HIGHNESS the PRINCE of WALES.

Printed for the by ROBERT HINDMARSH, Printer to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, No. 32, ClerkenwellClose and Sold by the Author, at his Shop, Tycho Br auk's.
;

0 AUTHOR,

N:

Head, No.

60,

Fleet-Street.

MJXX.LXXXVII.

TO

THE

K
S
I

G.

R,
work
that tends to enlarge

EVERY
the

boundaries of fcience,

has

peculiar claim to the protection of Kings.

He

that

diffufes
inlets

fcience,

civilizes

man,
and

opens the

to

his

happinefs,

co-operates with the Fountain and Source

vi

D E D
all

A T

N.

of

knowledge*

By

fcience

truth

is

advanced;

and of Divine

Truth Kings

are the rcprefentatives.

The work which

to prefent to

have now the honour

calls

YOUR MAJESTY,
the
:

the

attention of the

reader to thofe laws of

univerfe
it

Divine order by which

is

governed and fupported

in

we

find

that the minuteft beings ihare in the protection,

and triumph
all

in the
:

bounty of the

Sovereign of

things

that the infinitely

fmall manifeft to

the aftonifhed eye the

fame proportion, regularity,

and defign,
unaflifted

which are confpicuous

to

the

fight in the larger parts of creation.

By

finding

D D
finding
all

CATION.
,

m
from

things formed in beauty, and

(

pft^^{iBMWo? \l^i^ffife mind

is

raifed

the fleeting and evanefcent appearances of

matter to contemplate the permanent principles of truth,

and acknowledge that the

whole proceeds
originates
in

from the

wifdom

that

love.

It

was by

YOUR MAJESTY'S
I

goodnefs
firft

and gracious patronage that

was

indu-

ced to undertake a defcription of mathematical

and philofophical inftruments, that

facilitate

might thereby

the attainment of

thofe fciences that are connefted with them,

and by {hewing what was already obtained,

excite emulation,

and quicken invention.

jffi

DEDICATION.
It
is

to the

fame goodnefs that

am

indebted for this opportunity of fubfcribing

myfelf,

YOUR

MAJESTY'S

Moll humble,

Moll obedient,

and moft dutiful

Subjel and Servants

GEORGE ADAMS.

PREFACE.
YN
JL
the

preface

to
I

Magnetism,

my Essays on Electricity and informed the public that it was my

intention to publifti, from time to time, eflays defcribing the con-

ftru&ion and explaining the ufe of mathematical and philofophical

inftruments, in their prefent ftate of improvement.

will,
I

This

work

hope, be confidered as a performance of

here treated
of.

my

promife,

fo far as relates to the fubjecl:

The Brit chapter

contains a fhort hifiory of the invention and

improvements that have been made on the microfcope, and

Father Torre's method of making his celebrated glafs globules.

The

fecond treats of vifion, in which

have endeavoured to exbut as the reader

plain, in a familiar

manner, the reafon of thofe advantages which

lenfes
;

are obtained

by the ufe of magnifying

is

fuppofed to be unacquainted with the elements of

this fcience, fo

many

intermediate ideas have been neceflarily omitted, as mult

mfome

degree leffen the force, and weaken the perception of the

truths intended to

be inculcated: to have given thefe would have

required a treatife on optics.

Jn

R E

A C

E.

In the third chapter, the

mod improved

microfcopes, and Tome

others which are in general ufe, are particularly defcribed; pains have been fpared to leffen the difficulty of obfervation,

no
and

defcription the relative advantages of each inftrument are briefly pointed out, to enabfe the reader to
;

remove obfcurity from

which
bell

felecl that

is

adapted to

his purfuits.

The method of

and the cautions neceflary to be obferved in the ufe of the microfcope, are the
fubject of the fourth chapter.

preparing different objects for obfervation,.

When

undertook the prefent

but

efTays, I

had confined my-

felftoa re-publication of
phia Illuftrata
tracts
;

my father's work, entitled, Micrografoon found that both his and Mr. Baker's,
Natural hiftory

on the microfcope were very imperfect.

fo

had not been

as
it

much

cultivated at the period

when

they wrote

is is

in the prefent day.

To
I

the want of that information

propriety, impute

which

now

eafily obtained,

we may, with

their errors

and imperfections.

have endeavoured to remedy

their defects,

by arranging the

fubjects in fyftematic order,

and

by introducing the microfcopic reader

as far as relates to infects
:

to the fyftem of Linnseus,

will

by

this

he

learn to difcriminate

one

infect

from another, to characterize

their different parts,

and
to*

thus be better enabled to convey inRruction to others,

and

avoid error hjmfelf

As
cipal

the transformations which infects undergo, eonftitute a prin-

branch of their

hiftory,

and furnifh many objects for

the microfcope, I have given a very ample defcription of them;

the

more

fo,

as

many

microfcopic writers, by not confidering

fchefe

changes with attention^ have fallen.into a variety of miftakes.

P
Here
I

Ev

ta

intended to flop
I

but the charms of natural hiflory are fo

feducing, that

was

led

on

to

defcribe

the

peculiar

and

{hiking marks in the ceconomy of thefe

little

creatures.

And

fhould the purchafer of thefe efiays receive as

reading this part as I did in compiling
it
;

much
it

pleafure in

fhould
it

induce him

to ftudy this branch of nature f nay, fhould

only lead him to

read the flupendous work of the molt excellent

Swammerdam,

he

will

have no reafon to regret

willies in

his purchafe,

and one of

my

warmeft

compiling

it

will

be

gratified.

In the next chapter

idea of Mr.

have endeavoured

to give the reader

fome
but
in-

Lyonet's " anatomical

and microfcopical defcription

of the coflus, or caterpillar of the willow."

little

As

this

book

is

known

in

our country,

thought that a fpecimen of the

defatigable labour of this patient

and humane anatomift would

;

acceptable to

all

lovers of the microfcope

it

and

have, therefore,

appropriated a plate, which, while

{hews what

may be effected
of
this infecl.

when microfcopic
This
is

obfervation

is

accompanied by patience and

induftry, difplays alfo the wonderful organization

followed by a defcription of many mifcellaneous objects

objecls, of

which no idea could be formed without the

afli fiance

of

glafles.

To

defcribe the frefh -water polype, or hydra

to give a fhort

hiftory of the difcovery of thefe curious animals,

and fome

ac-

count of their angular properties,

ing chapter.
that they were confidered at

is

the bufinefs of the fuccceu-

The properties of thefe animals

firft

are fo extraordinary,

to

be

as contrary to the

common

courfe of nature, as they really were to the received opinions of

animal

life.

Indeed,

who can even now

b
2

contemplate, without
aftonifh-

XII

Preface.
flips

aftonimment, animals that multiply by

plant, that

and moots like a

may be

grafted together as one tree to another, that

like a glove,

may
form

be turned infide out

all

and yet
little

live,

act,

and per-

the various functions of their

fpheres.

As nearly
has been

allied to; thefe, the chapter finifhes

ticellae

with an account of thofe vorIt

which have been enumerated by Linnaeus.

diifipate confufion,

my
to

endeavour to
of

by the introduction of order,

difpofe into method,

all

and

felect

under proper heads the fubflance

that

is

known

relative to thefe little creatures,

and

in the
is,

compafs of a few pages to give the reader the information that

difperfed through volumes.

From

the liydrae and vorticellae

are
to

it

was natural
in

to

proceed to the

animalcula which

be

found
it

vegetable infufions.
infinitely

Microfcopic beings, that feem as

fmall, that leave

were to border on the

greater importance in the

no fpace deflitute of inhabitants, and are of immenfe fcale of beings than our conbeauty and proportion of organized texture
it

tracted imagination can conceive, yet fmall as they are, each of

them

poffeffes all that

is

which
is

neceffary to its well being, and fuited to the happinefs

forth to
fix

called-

enjoy.

have pointed

out the decided

life,

characters
that
it is

which

them

in the fcale of animal

characters

prefumed are a
Buffon..

full confutation

of the fanciful theories of

Needham and

A fhort

account of three hundred and

is

feventy-nine of thefe minute beings

then given, agreeable to the

fyftem of the laborious Muiler,* enlarging confiderably his description of thofe animalcula that are moft eafily

met

with, better

known, and confequently more interefling to the generality of

leaders..

Tke
*'

Muller,

Animalcula. Infuforia^

Preface.
The
conftruction of timber, and the difpofition
is

xiii

of

it's

com-

ponent parts, as feen by the microfcope,

chapter; a
fuccefs
fubje.ct

the fubjecl of the next

confefiedly obfcure.

With what degree of

left

this attempt has been profecuted, muft be

to the

iudgment of the reader.

tion
is

The bed

treatise

on

this part

of vegeta-

that of

Mr. Duhamel du Monceaus

" fur la Phyfique des

life,

Arbres."

If either
I

my

time, or fituation in
;

would have per-

mitted

it,

bufineis

and

mould have followed his plan but being confined to to London, I can only recommend it to thofe

lovers of the works of the Almighty,

who

live in the country, to

purfue

this

important branch of natural hiftory.

There

is

no

doubt but that new views of the operations

in nature,

wifdom with which

all

things are contrived,

and of the would amply repay

the labour of inveftigation.

Every part of the vegetable king-

dom is rich in microfcopic beauties, from the ftatelieft tree of the foreft, from the cedar of Lebanon, to the lowlieR mofs, and the
fryffop that fpringeth out

of the wall,

all

confpiring to fay

how

much is hid from the natural fight of man, how little can be known till it receives affiftance, and is benefited by adventitious
aid.

From the

wonderful' organization of animals, and the curious

texture of vegetables,

we proceed

to the mineral
falts

kingdom, and
faline

take a curfory view of the configuration of

ftances, exhibiting a

and

fub-

few fpecimens of the beautiful order in

every fpecies working as

which they arrange themfelves under the eye, after having been
feparated by diffolution
:

it

were upon
fomgj

different

plan, and producing cubes, pyramids, hexagons, or

xiv

Preface
figure peculiar

fome other

to

itfelf,

with a conftant regularity

araidil boundlefs variety.

Though

all

nature teems with objects for the microfcopic obis

ferver, yet fuch

human mind, or fuch it's inattention to what is obvious, that among the purchafers of microfcopes many have complained that they knew not what fubthe indolence of the
jects to

apply to their inftrument, or where to find objects for

examination.
given, which
is

To

obviate this complaint, a catalogue

is

here

interfperfed with the description of a

few

infects,

and other objects, which could not be conveniently introduced in By this catalogue it is hoped that the the foregoing chapters.
ufe of the microfcope will be extended, and the path of obfervation facilitated.

To

avoid the faftidious parade of quotation, and the charge of

lift

plagiarifm, I have fubjoined to this preface a

I have confulted.

of the authors
at very diftant

As my

extracts were

made

periods,

it

would have been impomble

for every

for

me

to

remember to

whom
tion.

I
It

was indebted

new

fact,

or ingenious obferva-

may, however, be neceffary to inform the reader, that

for the infects

Mr. Marfham gave me the Linnaean names

are defcribed in this work.

which

The

plates

were drawn and engraved with a view to be folded

;

up with the work

that they would,

but as

it is

the opinion of

many of my

friends

by

this means, be materially injured, I have

been advifed to have them Hitched

it

in ftrong blue paper,

and leave

to the purchafer to difpofe of

them

to his

own

mind.

A List

XV

.List of the Authors

in

which have been consulted

the Compilation of these Essays*

Adams.

Micrographia

Illuftrata

or,

the

Microfcope

Explained.

London, 1746 and 1781,

Baker,

The
"

Microfcope made Eafy.

for the Microfcope.

Employment

London, 1744. London, 1753.

An

Attempt towards the Natural Hiftory of the Polype.

London, 1743.
Barbut..

Genera InfecTrorum of Linmeus.

Botanical Lexicon.
8vo.

4to.

London, 1781,

Berkenhout.
Bonnani..

London, 17%.
quae
in

Obfervatioa.es

circa

Viventia,.

Rebus
-

Non

Viventibus

Reperiuntur, &c.

4to.

1691.
4to.

Bonnets

Oeuvres d'Hiftoire Naturelle

et

de Philofophie.

9 torn.

Neufchatel, 1779.
Brand".

Select Differtations from, the Amcenitates Academicse,

&c.

8vo.

London, 1781.
Brookes
o

A Collection of Plays and Poems.

Flora Londinenfis.
Folio,
-

London, 1778.
-

Curtis.

London*

Tranflation of the Fundamenta Entomologis. 8vo. London.,

Cyclopaedia,

By

Dr. Rees.

Folio;

London, 1786.
4to. 7 torn.

De

Geer.

Memoires pour

fervir a l'Hiftoire des

Infedes.

1752.-

Derham.

Phyfico-Theology.

8vo.

London, 1732..
Paris,

Buhamel du Monceau..

La

Phyfique des Arbres.

1757.

Ellis-

Xvl
Ellis.

List of Authors,
Zoophytes,

Sec.

Effay towards a Natural Hiflory of Corallines.

4to.

by Dr. Solander.
10 vols.

4to,

l 7SS London, 1786

Encyclopaedia Britannica.

4to.

Edinburgh, 1778

Fabricius.,

Philofophia Entomologica.

8vo.

GeofFroy.

Hiftdire

Abregee des

Infectes.

4to.

Paris,

1764,

Gleichen.

Les plus Nouvelles decouverts dans

Polio.
-

le

Regne Vegetal, &c. &c

x

.,

77

Goldfmith.

Hiftory of the Earth and Animated Nature.

8vo.

London, 1774
London, 1682,

Grew.
Hedwig.

Anatomy

of Plants.

Folio.

Theoria Generationis
carum.

et Fructifkationis

de Plantarum Cryptogami
Peterfb.

1784

Hill.

Hiftory of Animals.

Folio.
Society. 4to.

London, 1752.
-

Review of the Royal

London, 1751
8vo.
177.0.

The

Conftruction of Timber, explained by the Microfcope.

. 1

London,

ElTays in Natural Hiftory.

8vo.

London, 1752.
London,, 1665.

Hooke.

Micrographia.

Folio,
4to.

Lectures and Collections.

London, 1678.
4:0,

Joblot.,.

Obfervations d'Hiftoire Naturelle, Faites avec le Microfcope.

2
Journal de Phyfique,
Jones.

torn.

Paris.

par Rozier,

&c.

A Courfe of Lectures
Scriptures.

on the Figurative Language of the Holy

I
.

8vo.

178-7.

Ledermuller.

Amufemens Microfcopiques.

vols.

4to.

Leeuweru

1ST

of Authors,
4to.
410.

Sec.

XVII

Leeuwenhoek.

Arcana Naturae.

Lugd. Bat 1722"

Ibid.

Opera Omnia.

1722.

Linnasus.

Syftema Naturae.

8vo.

Lyonet.

Theologie des Infectes de

Traite Anatomique de
la

LefiFer.

2 torn. 8vo.

La Haye,

1742.

Chenille qui ronge

le bois

de faule. 410.

Macquer.

Dictionary of Chemiftry.

London, 1777.
Lugduni Bat. 1687.

Malphigi

Opera.

4to.

Martin,

Micrographia Nova.
Optical

4to.

Reading, 1742.

E flays.

8vo.

London.

Mullcr.

Animalcula Infuforia

Fluviatilia et

Marina. 4to. Hauniec, 1786,

Needham.
Pallas.

New Microfcopical Difcoveries.

Elenchus Zoophytorum.
8vo.

8vo.

London, 1745.
Hagae Comit. 1766.

Philofophical

Tranfaflions.

Power.

Microfcopical Obfervations.

4to.

1664,

Prieftley

on Light, Vifion, and Colours.

4to.

London, 1772.
Infe&es.
8vo.

Reaumur.

Memoires

.pour fervir

a.

l'Hiftoire des

Amfterdam, 1737.
Hedi.

De

Infe&is.

1671,

Roefel.

Infelen Beluftigung,

Rutherforth.

Natural Philofophy.

2 vols,

4*0,

Cambridge, 1748.

Schirach.

XV1U

List of Authors,

&c.

Schirach,

Hiftoire Naturelle de la Reine des Abeilles.

la

Haye, ijyt.

Smith.

Optics.

2 vols.

4to.

Cambridge, 1738.

Spalanzani.

Opufcules de Phyfiques Animate

&

Vegetale,

Geneva, 1777.

Stillingfleet.

Mifcellaneous Trails.

8vo.

London, 1762.
London, 1758.

Swammerdam.
Swedenborg.

The Book of

Nature, revifed by Hill.

Folio.

CEconomia Regni Animalis,

giam Rationalem. 4to.

cui accedit Introdu&io ad Pfycholo-

Amsterdam, 1743.

Regnum Animale, Anatomice,

tratum.
4to.
-

Phyfice et Philofophice Perluf-

Hagas Comit. 1744.

Trembley.

Memoires pour

fervir

a l'Hiftoire des Polypes deau douce.

Paris, 1744.

Valmontde Bomare. Didtionaire Raifonne

univerfal d'Hiftoire Naturelle.

Lyon, 1776

ADVERTISEMENT.
Lately publifhed, in one Volume, Bvo.

Price Six-Shillings, in Boards,

An

ESSAY
applying
it

on

ELECTRICITY;
;

Explaining the Theory and Practice of that Ufeful Science

to

and the

Mode

of

Medical Purpofes.

To which

is

added

An

ESSAY
The Third

on

MAGNETISM.

Edition, Corrected and Enlarged.

By

GEORGE ADAMS,
Royal Highnefs the Prince of Wales.

Mathematical Inftrument Maker to His Majefty, and Optician to His

Printed for, and Publifhed by the Author,

No.

60, Fleet-Street,

Speedily will he

publi/bed, by the

fame Author

ASTRONOMICAL and GEOGRAPHICAL ESSAYS:

CONTAINING
I.

An

Introduction to Aftronomy.
the Ufe of
the

II.

On
The

Globes,

in

which the various ConftructionS

at prefent

made Ufe
III.

of, will

be defcribed and explained.

Defcription and Ufe of the Armillary Sphere,

Dr. Long's Sphere, the

Orrery, the Tellurian and other Inftruments, defigned to facilitate the Study of Aftronomy and Geography.
c 2
'

Preparing

Preparing for

the

Prefix

GEOMETRICAL and GRAPHICAL ESSAYS*

CONTAINING
I.

feleft

Set of Geometrical

Problems; amongft the fe are fome very curious

ones for dividing Lines and Circles with Accuracy.

II.

A Defcription of
Purpofes,

thofe Mathematical Inftruments

which

are ufually put into a;

Cafe of Drawing Inftruments, and many other

new

ones for Geometrical;

III.

A Defcription A

of the Inftruments ufed in furveying and levelling of Land.

the ArtifB
a<

IV.

Defcription of thofe Inftruments that have been contrived, to

in delineating with

aflift

Accuracy/ and in true Perfpective, the Outline of

Landfcap?, Building, or any other Objecl.

Alfo

Preparing

for

the

Prefs,

An
So
far as relates to

ESSAY
the

on

VISION,
Criteria,

Ufe of Spectacles, pointing out the

judge

by which':
,

every Perfon

may

when

the Ufe of

them

will be beneficial,
Sight,..

and

how

to chufe

them without injuring the

xxi

B
O
F

N
G
II

ET

N
L

S.

P.

Concife Hiftory of the Invention and Improvements which

XjL
p.

have been made upon the Inurnment called a Microfcope 3

c h a
Of
Vifion,

p.

m
p. 28.

of the Optical Effect of Microfcopes, and of the

their

Manner of eftimating

magnifying Powers,
p. 65.

Adams's Lucernal Microfcope,

Culpeper's Microfcope,

Cuff's double-conftrucled ditto, p. 83.

p. 89.

Solar Microfcope for opake Objects, p. 92.

Common

Solar Microfcope, p. 99.

Ellis's ditto,

Wilfon's Microfcope, p. 103.

p.

110*

Lyonet's Microfcope, p. 114.

Withering's ditto, p. 115.

Telefcopic Microfcope, p.
ii\8*.

Botanical Magnifiers, p.

117..'

CHAP;,

CONTENTS,
C

H A

P.

III.

Defcription of the

moft improved Microfcopes,

p.

and the

Method of ufmg them,

65.

H A
Objecls,

P.

IV.

General Inftruclions for ufmg the Microfcope, and preparing the

p.

126.

CHAP.

V.

Of Infers in general, p. 167. Of the Transformation of Infe&s, p. Of the Refpiration of Infe&s, p. 240. Of the Generation of Infecls, p. 249. Of the Food of Infe&s, p. 272. Of the Habitation of Infe&s, p. 279,

189.

CHAP.
or Caterpillar, which
is

VI.

Giving fome Account of the Anatomical Structure of the Coffus,

found in the Trunk of the Willow
p. 323.

and

feveral other mifcellaneous Objects,

CHAP.
The

VII.

Natural Hiftory of the Hydra, or Frefh-water Polype, p. 393.

CHAP.

CONTENTS.
CHAP.
Of
VIII.
the Animalcula Infuforia,
p.

xxiii

454.

H A R

IX.

On

the Organization or Conftruftion of Timber,

as

viewed by

the Microfcope,

p. 652.

CHAP:
Of
the Cryftallization of Salts,
as

X.
feen

by the Microfcope
p. 68o*

together with a concife Lift of Objeds,

************* *********** ********* ******* *****

ESSAYS

ON THE

C R O

COP
L

E.

CHAP.
A

Concise History of the Invention and Improvements which HAVE BEEN MADE UPON THE INSTRUMENT called a Microscope.

generally fuppofed, that IT about the year 1680, a period

is

microfcopes

were

invented

fruitful in difcoveries,

a time

when

mind began to emancipate itfelf prejudices by which it had been too long
the

from thofe errors and

enflaved, to aflert
it's

rights,

extend

it's

powers, and follow the paths

the invention
is

which lead

to

truth.

The honor of

claimed by the Italians

is

and the Dutch; the name of the inventor, however,

loft;

probably the difcovery did not at firft appear fufficiently imby their portant, to engage the attention of thofe men, who, of it's reputation in fcience, were able to eftablifli an opinion

merit

Microscopical Essays,
reft

merit with the

of the world, and hand

down

the

name of

the inventor to fucceeding ages.

are too apt to defpife the
fidering that all real
firft

Men of great

literary abilities

dawnings of invention, not conknowledge is progreffive, and that what

the
fir ft

they

deem

trifling

may be

and neceffary

link to a

new

branch of fcience.

The

microfcope extends the boundaries of the organs of

vifion, enables us to

examine the ftruclure of plants and animals

prefents to the eye myriads of beings, of

whofe exiftence we

had before formed no idea; opens to the curious an exhauftlefs fource of information and pleafure and furnifhes the philofopher
;

with an unlimited

field

of inveftigation.

It leads, to ufe the

words of an wonders in the works of his hand, who created ourfelves, as well it improves the faculties, exalts as the objects of our admiration
ingenious writer, to the
difcovery of a thoufand
;

the comprehenfion, and multiplies the inlets to happinefs

is

new

fource of praife to him, to

;

whom

all

we pay
it

is

nothing of

what we owe
bounded
whole
life

and while
it

it

pleafes the imagination with the un-

treafures

offers

to the

view,

tends to

make the

one continued

aci

of admiration.

It is

not

difficult

to fix the period

when

the microfcope
for the

firft

began

to be generally

known, and was ufed

;

purpofe of

examining minute objecls

for

though we are ignorant of the

are acquainted with the names

name of the firft inventor, we thofe who introduced it into

attention to
it,

of

public view,
it's

and engaged
wonderful

their

by exhibiting fome of

effects.

Zacharias Janfens and his fon had

made microfcopes

before the

year 1619, for in that year the ingenious Cornelius

Drebell

brought

Microscopical

Essays.

brought one, which was made by them, with him into England, and (hewed it to William Borrell and others. It is ppffible this
Inftrument of Drebell's was not ftridly what
is now meant by a rather was a kind of microfcopic telefcope, microfcope, but

fomething fimilar in principle to that

Aepinus,
It

lately defcribed

by Mr.

in a letter to the
a

Academy of

Sciences at Petersburg,

was formed of
thefe

copper tube

fix feet

long and one inch

diameter, fupported

by three brafs pillars in the fhape of dolwere fixed to a bafe of ebony, on which the objects In contrato be viewed by the microfcope were alfo placed. in a work Fontana, which he published this, to in 1646, diction
phins
5

fays, that

he had made microfcopes in the year 1618

this

may

be alfo very true, without derogating from the merit of the Janfens, for we have many inftances in our own times of more than

one perfon having executed the fame contrivance, nearly at the fame time, without any communication from one to the other. In 1685, Stelluti publifheda defcription of the parts of a bee,

which he had examined with a microfcope.

If

we

confider the microfcope as an inftrument confiding of

it is

one lens only,

ancients
to the

not at

all

improbable, that
laft

it

was

known

to the

much

fooner than the

:

century, nay, even in a degree

certain, that fpeclacles
:

Greeks and Romans

of thefe were

for

it is

were
the

in ufe long before the

glafles

above-mentioned period

now

as

made of

different convexities,
it

and con fre-

quently of different magnifying powers,

that fmaller

is

natural to fuppofe,

and more convex

lenfes

were made, and applied to

In
this fenfe, there is alfo

the examination of minute objects.

-feme ground
ufe of
lenfes,

for thinking the ancients

were not ignorant of the

to,

or at

leafl

of what approached nearly

and might
in

Microscopical Essays.
fome inflances be
fubftituted for them.
this

in

The two

principal rea-

fons

which fupport

opinion are,

fir ft,

the minutenefs of fome

ancient pieces of workmanfhip, which are to be

cabinets of the curious
that
it
:

met with

in the

the parts of fome of thefe are fo fmall,

does not appear at prefent

how

they could have been exor of what ufe they

ecuted without the ufe of magnifying

glaffes,

could have been

glaffes to

when

executed, unlefs they were in pofleffion of

examine them with.

remarkable piece of

this

kind,

a feal with very minute work, and which to the naked eye appears

very confufed and

indiflincl;,

but beautiful

when examined with a

de l'Academie des
is

proper lens,

is

defcribed *
1.

Dans

1'Hiftoire

Infcriptions," torn.

p.

333.

The

fecond argument

founded

on a great

variety of paffages, that are to be feen in the

works of

Jamblichus, Pliny, Plutarch, Seneca, Agellius, Pifidias, &c.

thefe paflages
it is

From
inflxu-

evident that they were enabled

by fome

ment, or other means, not only to view diftant objecls, but alfo to

magnify fmall ones

abfurd,

for if this

is

not admitted, the paflages appear

and not capable of having a

I (hall

them.

only adduce a fhort

meaning applied to paflage from Pifidias, a chrifrational

tian writer

of the feventh century,

Ta

pLzXhovTCL

^i<mlp&

cv &Xs7riq'

"You

fee things
a

future

by a dioptrum

now we

know of nothing but

by

prospective glafs or fmall telefcope, where-

things at a diflance

may

be feen

as if

they were near at hand,

It
is

the circumftance on which the fimile was founded.

clear,

alfo

that they were acquainted with, and did make ufe of that
is

kind of microfcope, which

even

at this

day commonly fold

our ftreets by the Italian pedlars, namely, a glafs bubble filled

with water.

Seneca plainly affirms

it,

Liter ce quamvis minutes

major es clariorefque et obfeurce, per vitream pilam aqua pknam, cemmtuv." Nat. Oueefi. lib. 1, cap. 7. "Letters, though minute

Microscopical

Essays.

and obfcure, appear larger and clearer through a glafs bubble Thofe who wilh to fee further evidence confilled with water."
cerning the knowledge of the ancients in optics,

may

confult

Smith's Optics, Dr. Prieftley's Hiftory of Light and Colours,

the

Appendix

to

an Effay on the

firft

Principles

of Natural

Philofophy by the Rev. Mr. Jones, Dr. Rogers's DifTertation on

the Knowledge of the Ancients, and Mr.
the-

Du ten's

Enquiry into

Origin of the Difcoveries attributed to the moderns.

The

hiftory
it's

of the microfcope,

like that
it

of nations and

arts,,

has had

brilliant periods, in

which

has fhone with

uncom-

and been cultivated with extraordinary ardour thefe have been fucceeded by intervals marked with no difcovery, and in which the fcience feemed to fade away, or at leaft

mon

fplendor,

fome favorable circumftance, the difcovery of a new object, or tome new improvement in the inftruments of obfervation, awakened the attention of the curious, and anilie

dormant,

till

mated

their refearches.
it

Thus, foon

after the

invention of the

microfcope, the field

prefented to obfervation was cultivated by

men of the
:

firfl

rank in fcience,

who enriched

almoft every branch

this inof natural hiftory, by the difcoveries they made with inconfiderable, ftrument there is indeed fcarce any object fo

that
it
;

it

has not
is

fomethmg

to invite the curious eye to

examine
will not.

nor

there any, which,

when properly examined,

amply repay the trouble of

I {hall
firft

inveltigation.

fcope.

fpeak of the single microscope, not only as it is we have already obferved, it was the molt fimple, but becaufe, as double or compound microinvented and ufed long before the When the lenfes of the Angle microfcope are very convex.

Microscopical

Essays,

vex, and confequently the magnifying power very great, the field of view is fo fmall, and it is fo difficult to adjuft with accu-

racy their focal diftance, that

the
life

it

requires

fome practice

to render

thereof familiar

at the

fame time, the fmallnefs of the

the
is

aperture to thefe lenfes has been found injurious to the eyes of

fome obfervers
.great

notwithstanding, however,
as well as

thefe defects,

magnifying power,

the diftinct vifion which

obtained by the ufe of a deep fmgle lens, more. than counterballances every difficulty

ftrument that

was with this inLeeuwenhoek and Swammerdam, Lyonet and Ellis

and difadvantage.
nature, laid
It

examined
recefles,

the

minima of
their

open fome of

her,

hidden

and by

example ftimulated others to the fame

purfuit.

The
is

conftruction of the fmgle microfcope

is

fo fimple, that

it

fufceptible of but little

alterations
;

improvement, and has therefore under-

gone but few

the
greateft

and

thefe

have been chiefly confined to

it's

mode of mounting
improvement

it,

or the additions to

apparatus.

The

this

inftrument has received, was

it

made by

Dr. Lieberkuhn, about the year 1740;

confifted in placing the

fmall lens in the center of a highly-polifhed concave fpeculum of

by which means he was enabled to reflect a ft rong light upon the upper furface of an object:, and thus examine it with great eafe and pleafure. Before this contrivance, it was almoft
filver,

impofhble to examine fmall opake objects with any degree of

exactnefs

and

fatisfaction

for the dark fide of the object being

next the eye,

the inftrument,
indiftinct.

and
it's

alfo

overfhadowed

by

the proximity

of

appearance was neceffarily obfcure ^and

Dr.

Microscopical

Essays,
;

7 they

Dr.'Lieberkuhn adapted a microfcope to every objecl

confifted of a ftiort brafs tube, at the eye
filver

fpeculum was
:

fixed,

and

in

end of which a concave the center of the fpeculum a

to the focus

magnifying lens
tube,

the
final!

objecl was placed in the middle of the

and had a

adjuftment to regulate

it

at

the other end of the tube there was a piano convex lens, to condenfe and render more uniform the light which was reflected

from the mirror. But

objecls
tions,
;

all this pains was not bellowed upon trifling were generally the molt curious anatomical preparaa few of which, with their microfcopes, are (I believe)

his

depofited in the Britifh Mufeum.

to give

It will

be proper, in

this place,

fome account of M. Leeuwenhoek's microfcopes, which were rendered famous throughout all Europe, on account of the numerous difcoveries he had made with them, as well as from his
afterwards bequeathing a part of

them

to the

Royal Society,

The

microfcopes he ufed were

all

fmgle, and fitted up in a con-

venient fimple

manner

double convex
together,

lens, let into a focket

each of them confided of a very fmall between two plates rivetted

;

and pierced with

filver point

a fmall hole the objed was placed on or needle, which, by means of fcrews adapted for

fure,

that purpofe, might be turned about, raifed or deprefled at pleaand thus be brought nearer to, or be removed farther from

the glafs, as the eye of the obferver, the nature of the objea, and

the convenient examination of its parts required.

M. Leeuwenthe foregoing

hoek fixed

his
;

objects, if
if

they were

folid,

to

point with glue

they were

plate of talc, or exceeding thin

glued to the needle, in

gtafles
ers,

fluid, he fitted them on a little blown glafs, which he afterwards the fame manner as his other objecls. The

were all exceeding clear, and of different magnifying powwhich were proportioned to the nature of the objedt, and

the

Microscopic

Essays.
But none of
fo

the parts defigned to be examined.

thofe,

which
as the

were prefented to the Royal Society, magnified

glafs globules,

much,

which have been ufed

in a letter

in other microfcopes.

He

had obferved,

of

his to the

Royal Society, that from

glafles, as,

upwards of forty years experience, he found that the moft confiderable difcoveries were to be

made with fuch

magni-

fying but moderately, exhibited the object with the moft perfect
brightnefs

and

diftinclnefs.
:

or two objects

Each inftrument was devoted to one hence he had always fome hundreds by him. *
for fuppoling, that

There

is

fome reafon

Leeuwenhoek was

ac-

quainted with a

mode of viewing opake

objects, fimilar to that

invented by Dr. Lieberkuhn. f

About

the year 1665, fmall glafs globules began to be occa-

sionally applied to the fmgle microfcope, inftead

of convex

lenfes.

By

thefe globules,

The

invention of
;

an immenfe magnifying power is obtained. them has been generally attributed to M.

Hartfoeker

it

appears, however, to me, that

we

are indebted

to the celebrated Dr.

Hooke

for this difcovery

in the preface to

for
his

he defcribed

the

manner of making them

Micrographia

Illuftrata,

which was publifhed

in the year 1656.

Now

the

firft

account
foeker,

we have of any

microfcopical difcovery

by M. Hart-

was that of the fpermatic animalcule, made by him when he was eighteen years old; which brings us down to the year 1674, long after Dr. Hooke's publication.

As

thefe

glafs

globules have been very ufeful in the hands

I
fhall lay

of experienced obfervers,

before

my

readers

the

different
* Philofophical Tranfa&ions,
ft

No. 380, No. 458.

Prieflley's Hiftory of Optics, p. 220.

Microscopical Essays.
different

9
that

modes which have been defcribed

for

making them,

he may

be enabled thereby to verify or confute the difcoveries

that have been faid to be

made with them.

Take

a J mall rod * of the cleared and cleaned glafs you can

if poffible,
it

procure, free,

from blebs, veins, or fandy

fpirit

particles

then by melting
pureft

in a

lamp made with

oil,

of wine, or the

and cleared
;

fallad

draw

it

out into exceeding fine and

fmall threads

take a fmall piece of thefe threads, and melt the

end thereof in the fame flame, till you perceive it run into a fmall drop or globule of the defired fize let this globule cool, then fo that the middle of it fix it upon a thin plate of brafs or filver,
;

may be
of glafs.

direftly over the center of a very fmall hole

it till it
is

made

in this

plate/ handling

fixed,
is

by the before-mentioned thread

When

the plate

properly fixed to your microfcope,

and the object adjufted to the focal didance of the globule, you By will perceive the object didinftly and immenlly magnified.
this

means, fays Dr. Hooke,

have been able to diftinguilh the

particles of bodies, not only a million of times fmaller than a vifible point, but even to make thofe vifible whereof a million of

would hardly make up the bulk of the final left vifible grain of fand fo prodigioufly do thefe exceeding fmall globules enlarge our profpeci into the more hidden recedes of nature.
millions
;

Mr.
fpirit

Butterfield, in

making of the

globules, ufed a

lamp with
fine filver

of wine

but inftead of a cotton wick, he ufed

like a fkain of thread,

wire,

doubled up and down

i

He

pre-

B
* Leftures and Colle&ions by Dr. Hooke.
t. Philof.

pared

Tranf.

No.

to

Microscopical Essays.
his glafs

pared

by beating
little

it

to powder,

he then took a

of

this glafs

and wafhing it very clean; upon the lharp point of a filver

it

needle, wetted with fpittle,

and held k in the flame, turning

;

about

till

a glafs ball

was formed
it

then taking

it

from the flame,

fet
it

he afterwards cleaned
cell.

with

foft leather,

and

in a brafs

No
them
touch
;

perfon has carried the ufe of thefe globules fo far as T. Di

Torre, of Naples, nor been fo dexterous in the execution of

and

if

others have not been able to follow

fairly attributed

him in the fame

line, it

may be

to a

for adj lifting the objects to their focus,

want of that delicacy of and that acutenefs-

of vifion which can only be acquired by long practice.

has alfo defcribed,
thefe globules, which, as

P. Torre more minutely than any other author, the

it

mode of executing
upon

throws

much light
it

the preceding defcription

by Dr. Hooke,

will not,

is

pre-

fumed, be unacceptable to the reader.

Three
i
.

things are

neceffary for

forming of thefe globules

lamp and bellows, fuch as are ufed

piece of perfect tripoli;
is

by

the glafs-blowers
fmall glafs rods..

2.

A
will

3.

A variety of
;

\Vhen the flame of the lamp

it

blown

in an horizontal dire&ion,

be found to confift of two parts

it's

from the bafe to about

;

two-thirds of
is
is

length,

it

is

of a white colour
It is this

beyond

this, it

tranfparent,
to

and

colourlefs.

tranfparent part which

this
it

be ufed for melting the

;

glafs,

becaufe by

will not
it

be

in the leaft fullied

but

it

will

be immediately

foiled, if

touches
is

the white part of the flame.

The

part of the glafs

which

pre-

fented to the flame, ought to be exceeding clean, and great care

fhould be taken that

it

be not touched by the

fingers.

If the

glafs

Microscopical Essays.
glaf's

rod has contracted any

fpots,

it

muft either be thrown away,

off.

or the parts that are fpotted muft be cut

The
bules,

piece of tripoli which

is

to be ufed in forming the glo-

mould be

flat

on one

fide,

and

fo large, that

it

may

be

handled conveniently, and protect the fingers from the flame.

piece four or five inches long, and three or four inches thick, will

anfwer very

well.

The
is

belt tripoli for this purpofe,

is

of a white

colour, with a fine grain,

it

has been calcined,

is

heavy and compact, and which, after of a red colour. This kind refills the fro

beft,

not apt to break

it.

when

calcined,

and the melted

it

glafs
all

does

not adhere to

To

calcine this tripoli, cover

it

well

round
is

with charcoal nearly red hot, leaving

quite cold
cavities
;

thus

till

the charcoal

it

may

then be taken
flat fide

out.

Let feveral hemifpherical

tripoli
;

be made on the

of the

they ffiould be

of

different fizes,

nicely polifhed, and neatly

rounded

at

the

edges, in order to facilitate the entrance of the flame.

The

large

globules are to be placed in the large cavities, and the minuter

ones in the fmall cavities.

The
it is
;

holes in the tripoli muft never be

necefTary to clean them,
it

touched with the

finger.

If

fhould

be done with white paper

with wafh leather.

the larger globules

may be

cleaned
fizes, as

The

glafs rods

{hould be of various

of i-ioth,
free

-20th,

i~3oth of an inch in diameter,

as poffible.

as clean

and

from fpecks and bubbles

To MAKE SMALL GLASS MlC R OSCOPIC

Take two

GLOBULES.

rods of glafs, one in each hand, place their ex-

tremities clofe to

each other, and in the pureft part of the flame;

the ends to be fufed, feparate

when you perceive

them from each

other

12

Microscopical Essays.
each rod, will be
to
finer,

other: the heated glafs following

in

proportion to the length

rod

in this

and the fmallnefs of the manner you may procure threads of glafs of any deit is

drawn

gree of finenefs.

Dired the flame

to

the middle of the thread,

be inftantly divided into two parts. When one of the threads is perfectly cool, place it at the extremity of the and if the thread of flame, by which it will be rendered round

and

it

will

glafs

be very

fine,

This thread may

an exceeding fmall globule will be formed. now be broke off from the rod, and a new one

may be
glafs

again drawn out as before, by the affiftance of the other

rod.

The
this
is

fmall ball
eafily

is

now

to

be feparated from the thread of glaft;

effe&ed by the (harp edge of a piece of flint. The and another piece of ball mould be placed in a groove of paper, paper be held over it, to prevent the ball from flying about and

being

loft.
;

quantity of globules ought to be prepared in this

they are then to be cleaned, and afterwards placed in the cavities of the tripoli, by means of a delicate pair of nippers. The globules are now to be melted a fecond time, in order to

manner

render them completely fpherical for this purpofe, bring one of the cavities near the extremity of the flame, directing this towards
;

the tripoli, which muff be

firfl

heated

the cavity

is

then to be

lowered, fo that the flame

may touch

the glafs, which,

;

when

it is

rered hot, will affume a perfect globular form it muft then be moved from the flame, and laid by; when cold, it mould be Let it cleaned, by rubbing between two pieces of white paper.

now be

fet in a brafs

cap, to try whether the figure be perfect.

If

away. the objea is not well defined, the globule muft be thrown or three times to if it be large, it may be expofed two

Though,

Microscopical Essays.
the flame.
agitated
flat

When
fide.

a large

globule

is

forming,
will

by making the

tripoli,

which

mould be gently prevent it's becoming

it

on one

By

attending to thefe directions, the greater

In damp weapart of the globules will be round and fit for ufe. often happen, that will ther, notwithstanding every precaution, it

out of forty globules,

our or

five

only will be

fit

for ufe.

Mr. Stephen Gray,

Tome

of the Charter-Houfe,

having obferved

irregular particles within a glafs globule,

and finding that

they appeared diftinft and prodigioufly magnified

to his eye, concluded that
if

when held

clofe

he placed a globule of water, in

which there were any particles more opake than the water, near his eye, he mould fee thofe particles diftin&ly and highly magnified.

This idea, when realized, far exceeded

his expectation.

His method was, to take on a pin a fmall portion of water which he knew had in it fome minute animalcules this he laid on the
;

end of a fmall piece of

brafs wire,

till
;

there was formed

fomewhat
for

more than an hemifphere of water

on applying

it

then to the
;

eye, he found the animalculae moft enormoufly magnified

thofe which were fcarce difcernible with

this

his glafs globules,

with

appeared as large

as

ordinary fized peas.

They cannot be

feen by day-light, except the

room

be darkened, but are feen to

the greater!: advantage

by

candle-light.

Montucla obferves, that

this

when any
fituated

objects are inclofed within

it

tranfparent globule,

the hinder part of

acts like a

concave mirror, provided they be

;

between that furface and the focus and that by this means they are magnified three times and a half more than they would be in the ufual way. An extempore microfcope may be
formed, by taking up a fmall drop of water on the point of a pin^ and placing it over a fine hole made in a piece of metal but as.
;

14
the
refraclivc

Microscopical Essays.
power of water
fo
:

is

lefs

than that of
thofe of the

glafs, the fe

globules do not magnify

much
was

as

fame

fize,

which

are

made of

glafs

this

alfo contrived

by Mr. Gray.

The fame
plate,

ingenious author invented another water microfcope.

confifiing of

two drops of water, feparated

in part

by a

thin brafs

but touching near the center; which were thus rendered

equivalent to a double convex lens, of unequal convexities.

which feems

Dr. Hooke defcribes a method of ufmg the fmgle microfcope, to have a great analogy to the foregoing methods
If

of Mr. Gray.

you

are defirous (he fays) of obtaining a mi-

crofcope with one fmgle refraction, and confequently capable of

procuring the greateft clearnefs and brightnefs any one kind of microfcope is fufceptible of fpread a little of the fluid you in;

tend to examine on a glafs plate, bring

this

under one of your

till

microfcopic globules, then

move
it

it

gently upwards,

the fluid

touches the globule, to which

firmly, as to bear being

will

foon adhere, and that fo

moved

little

backwards or forwards.

looking through the globule, you will then have a perfect view * of the animalcule in the drop.

By

Having

laid before the reader the principal

improvements that
it

have been fuggefted or made

in the fmgle microfcope,

remains

the only to point out thofe inftruments of this kind, which, from general for adapted mode in which they are fitted up, feem beft ufe the peculiar advantages of which, as well as the manner of
;

ufmg them,

will

be defcribed in the third chapter of

this

work.
Fig.

* Hooke's Lectures and Conjectures,

p. 98.

Microscopical Essays.
Fig, 3. Plate VI. reprefents that

which was ufed by M. Lyon-

net for differing the coffus.

aquatic microfcope ufed by Mr, Ellis for investigating the nature of coralline, and recommended
Fig.
1.

Plate VII. B.

The

by Mr. Curtis to

botanifts, in his Flora Londinenfis.

Fig. 1. Plate VI.

botanical microfcope, contrived by Dr.,

Withering.

Fig. 2. Plate VI.

A botanical microfcope,
The

by Mr. B. Martin.

Fig. 5. Plate VI.

tooth and pinion microfcope, which i$

now generally
Fig. 8.

fubftituted in the

room of Wilfon's.

Plate VIII.

botanical magnifier.

Fig. 7. Plate VIII.

A different kind
as
it

of botanical magnifier.

A
more

compound microscope,
glafles, is
it's

confifts
is

of two,

three, or

more

eafily varied,

and

fufceptible of greater

changes in

conftruelion,
lenfes,

than the fingle microfcope.

it is

The

number of the
form
in

of which

formed,

may be

increafed or

diminiihed, their refpeclive pofitions

may be

varied,

and the

which they are mounted be

varieties,
;

altered almoft ad infinitum,

But among thefe

place

fome
is

will

be found more deferving of

fhall

attention than others

it

of thefe only we

fpeak in

this

The

16

Microscopical Essays.
The
three
firft

compound

microfcopes that attract our notice,

Divini,

are thofe of Dr.

Hooke, Euftachio

and Philip Bonnani.

Micro1656;

Dr.

Hooke

gives an account of his in the preface to his

it

graphia, which was publifhed in the year

three inches in diameter, feven long, and

was about

furnifhed with four

as occafion re-

draw-out tubes, by which

quired
:

it

might be lengthened
a fmall object
glafs,

it

had three

glaffes,
:

a middle glafs,

and a deep eye glafs

wanted to take
the eye,

Dr.

Hooke

ufed

all

the glaffes
at.

in a considerable part of

an

object,

when he once, as by

the middle glafs a

number of radiating pencils were conveyed to which would otherwife have been loft but when he
:

wanted to examine with accuracy the fmall parts of any fubftance, he took out the middle glafs, and only made ufe of the eye and for the fewer the refractions are, the clearer and objecl: lenfes
;

more

bright, the objecl appears.

An

account of Euftachio Divini's microfcope was read

in i658. *
It

at the

Royal Society,
dle glafs,

confided of an

objecl; lens,

a midlenfes,

and two eye

glaffes,

which were piano convex

the glafs takes in
it

and were placed

their

fo that they
;

touched each other in the center of

convex furfaces

by which means

more of
curved,

an objea, the

field is larger, the

extremities of

lefs

and the magnifying power greater. glafles were inclofed, was as large
glaffes as

The

tube,

in

which the
and the eye
feveral

as a man's leg,
It

broad

as the

palm of the hand.

it

had four

lengths

when

{hut up,

was fixteen inches long, and magnified

;

the diameter of an objed forty-one times

ninety times
;

at the

fecond length,

at the third length,

one hundred and eleven times

at

Philof.

Tranf.

No. 42.

Microscopical Essays,
at the fourth length,

one hundred and forty-three times.

It

does

not appear that E. Divini varied the object lenfes.

Philip
;

Bonnani publifhed an account of his two microfcopes

;

in

1698 * both were compound the firfl was funilar to that which Mr. Martin publifhed as new, in his Micrographia Nova,f in
1712.
glafles,

His fecond was like the former,

one for the eye, a middle

they were mounted in a cylindrical

horizontal pofition
;

compofed of three glafs, and an object lens: tube, which was placed in an

behind the ftage was a fmall tube, with a

;
;

beyond this was a lamp the whole capable of various adjuftments, and regulated by a pinion and rack the fmall tube was ufed to condenfe the light on the object, and
lens. at

convex

each end

fpread

it

uniformly over

it

according to

it's

nature,

and the mag-

nifying

power

that

was ufed.

If the reader attentively confiders the conftruclion of the foregoing microfcopes, and compares them with more modern ones, he will be led to think with me, that the compound microfcope

has received very

little

improvement fmce the time of Bonnani.

fome
If their advantages are

Taken

feparatcly, the foregoing conftruclions are equal to

of the moll famed modern microfcopes.

combined, they are

withstanding the

far fuperior to that

of

M.

Dellebarre, not-

pompous eulogium L'Academie Royale des Sciences, t

affixed thereto

by Meff.

De

C
* Bonnani Obfervationes circa viventia, &c.
i Micrographia Nova, by B. Martin, 4to.
+ Memoires fur
les

From

Differences de la Conflru&ion et des Effets

du Microfcope,

de

M. L.

F. Dellebarre,, 1777.

Microscopical Essay 14
From
not
to
this period, to the

year 1736,

the microfcope appears

have received
itfelf

any

conhderable alteration,

but the

fcience

to have

been

at a (land.

were making in the

reflecting

The improvements which telefcope, naturally led thofe who

way, to ex peel a fimilar fervice
:

had turned
plans

their thoughts this

for microfcopes

on the fame
;

principles

accordingly

we

find

two

of

this

kind
is

the

firft

was that of Dr. Robert Barker.

fame
as the reflecting
telefcope,.

This inftrument

entirely the

excepting the diftance of the

in order to adapt
it

two fpeculums, which is lengthened,

which enter the
objects,

to thofe pencils of rays

telefcope diverging; whereas,

from very

diftant

they

come
was

in a direction nearly parallel.

it

But

this

was foon
alfo

laid afide,

not only as

was more

difficult to

manage, but

becaufe
:

it

any but very fmall or tranfparent objects for the object being between the fpeculum and the image, would, if it were large and opake, prevent a due reflection of light on the
unfit for

object.

The
two

fecond was contrived by Dr. Smith.*

In this there were

;

reflecting mirrors,

one concave, and the other convex

lens.

the

image was viewed by a

This microfcope, though

far

from

being executed in the belt manner, performed, fays Dr. Smith,, very well, fo that he did not doubt but what
ceiled others, if it
it

would have ex-

had been properly

finifhed.

As fome years are more favorable to the fruits of the earth, fo alfo fome periods are more favorable to particular fciences, being
rich in difcovery,

and cultivated with ardor.

Thus, in the year

*73 8

6
* Dr. Smith's Optics, Remarks,
p. 94.

; :

Microscopical Essays.
1738, Mr, Lieburkuhn's invention of the folar microfcope was

power which was obtained by this inflrument, the col offal grandeur with which it exhibited the minima of nature, the pleafure which arofe from being able to difplay the fame objeci to a number of obfervers at the fame time, by affording a new fource of rational amufement,
to the public
:

communicated

the vaft magnifying

increafed the

number of microfcopic

obfervers,

who were
little

further

Simulated to the fame purfuits by Mr. Trembley's famous difcovery of the polype
:

the wonderful properties of this

inflrument. *

animal,
father,

together with the works of Mr. Trembley, Baker, and

revived the reputation of this

my

Every optician now exercifed

called
it)

his talents in

improving

(as

he

the microfcope

in other words, in varying

different

it's

con-

ftruclion,

and rendering

it

bour.

Their principal

objecl:
it lie

from that fold by his neighfeemed to be, only to fubdivide

compafs
as poffible
;

the inflrument, and

make

in as fmall a

by which means, they not only rendered it complex, and troublefome in ufe, but loft fight alfo of the extenfive field, great
and other excellent properties of the more ancient inftruments and in fome meafure, {hut themfelves out from further improvements on the micfofcope. Every mechanical inflrument
light,
;

is

fufceptible of almoft infinite combinations

and changes, which

are attended with their relative advantages and di (advantages

thus,

what

is

gained in power,

is loft

in time

"he

that loves to

be confined to a fmall houfe, muft

exerc'ife."

lofe the benefit

of

air

and

C
* Trembley

2
Baker's
;

The
Microfcope
for

Memoires

fur

les

Polypes.

made Eafy

Attempt towards an Hiftory of the Polype

Employment

the Microfcope,

Adams's Micrographia

IUuftrata.

Joblot's Obfervations

d'Hiftoire

Nam relic.

20

Microscopical Essays.
The
microfcope, nearly at the fame period, gave
rife

to

Buffon's famous fyftem of organic molecules,

and M. Needforce

ham's

incomprehenfible ideas

concerning

a vegetative

and the vitality of matter.

with
all

M. Buffon

has drefled
it

up

his fyftem

the charms of eloquence, prefenting

to the

mind

in

the moft agreeable and lively colours, exerting the depths of erudition in the moft interefting and* feducing manner, to eftablifh
his

hypothecs, making us

a] moft

ready to adopt

it

againft the
this

dilates of reafon, and the evidence of fa&s.

But whether

great

man was

milled by the warmth of his imagination, his

attachment to a favorite fyftem, or the ufe of imperfecl inftruments, it appears but too evident, that he was not acquainted
with the objects whofe nature he attempted to investigate and it * thofe which he fuppofed he^was is probable, that he never faw
;

confounding the animalculas produced from the putrifying decompofition of animal fubftances, with the ipermatic animalcule, although they are two kinds of beings,
defcribing,

continually

differing in

form and nature

fo that the beautiful fabric

attempt-

ed to be raifed on
truth

his hypothefis, vanilhes before the light of

and well conducted experiments.

After this period, the mind, either fatisfied with the difcoveries already made, (which will be particularly defcribed hereafter)
or tired by
it's

own exertions,

fought for repofe

in-

other purfuits.;

fo that for feveral years this inftrument

was again, in fome meafure*

i Porro B'uffonius, ut

cum

illuftris

viri

venia dicafn omniho non videtur, ver-

micubs feminales vidiiTe, oftendit non effe noftra animalcula

norarpm
vita eft.

Diuturnitas enim vitse

(id eft,

quam

fuis

corpufculis
et-

tribuit^

fpermatica) quibus brevis

paucawm,

Haller Phyfiol. tarn. 7.

Microscopical Essays.
fare,

21
treatife,

laid

a fide.

In

1770, Dr. Hill * publifhed a

in

which he endeaf ours

the microfcope, and
it's

to explain the conflruction of timber

by
in

mew

the number, the nature, and office of

federal parts, their various arrangements

;

and proportions

the different kinds

and point out a way of judging, from the

ferve in

ftruclure of trees, the ufes they will befl

life.

the affairs of
for micro-

So important a fubjecWoon revived the ardor

to

fcopic purfuits, which feems

have been increafmg ever fmce.

order that the texture

About the fame

time,

my

father contrived an inflrument for cut-

ting the tranfverfe feci ions of

wood,

in

thereof might be rendered more vifible in the -microfcope, and

confequently be better underftood

this

inflrument was afterwards

improved by Mr. Gumming.

purpofe,

Another inflrument for the fame

effects,
;

more

certain in
fig. 1,

it's

reprefented in

plate 9

it

and more eafily managed, is will be defcribed in one of

en-

the following chapters.

Dr.

Hooke and Mr. Cuftance now

deavoured to bring back the microfcope nearer to the old ffandard, to increafe the field

and to
and' in

by the multiplication of the eye glafles, augment the light on the object, by condenfmg lenfes Mr. Cuftance was unrivalled this they happily fucceeded
;

:;

in his dexterity in preparing,

and accuracy

in cutting thin tranf-

verfe feclions of wood,.

In lyy i,

my father

publifhed a fourth edition of his

Micro-

graphia, in which. he defcribed the principal inventions then in

ufe
;

particularly a contrivance of his

own,

for applying the folar

it

microfcope to the camera obfcura, and illuminating

at night

by
.

a larap 3

Dr. Hill on the Conftruaion of Timber,

22
a lamp,

Microscopical Essays.
by which means a
piciure of microfcopic objects

might

be exhibited in winter evenings.

appears * from the teftimony of

It

M.

^Epinus, that

M.

Lie-

burkuhn had confiderably improved the folar microfcope, by adapting it to view opake objeds. This contrivance was by fome means loft. The knowledge, however, that fuch an effecl had
been produced, led ^Epinus to attend to the fubjeft himfelf, in which he in fome meafure fucceeded, and would, no doubt, have
brought
it

to perfection, if he

minating mirror.
inftrument by
kind,
is

had increafed the fize of his illuSome further improvements were made on this
;

M. Ziehr

but the moft perfect inftrument of the

that of

Mr. B. Martin, who publifhed an account of it in

the year 1774.+

The common

folar

microfcope does not

mew

the furface of any object, whereas the opake folar microfcope not only magnifies the objea, but exhibits on a fcreen an expanded
picture of
it's

furface,

with

all

it's

colours, in a moft beautiful

manner.

About
it

the
;

year

1774,

invented

the improved lucernal

leaft fatigue

microfcope
fhews
all

this inftrument

does not in the

the eye
tranf-

opake objects in a moft beautiful

manner

and

parent objects

may be examined by
is

it

in various ways, fo that

all

no

part of an object

left

be taken with
drawing.

eafe,

unexplored even by thofe who are moft unfkillcd in

;

and the outlines of

may

M.L.
*
Prieftley's Hilr.

of Optics,

p.

743. an Opake Solar Microfcope.

t Martin's Defcription and

life of

Microscopical Es s a
M.
in the year
It

s.

23

L. F. Dellebarre publifhed an account of his microfcope

1777.
in

does

not
to

appear from
that

this,

that

it

was fuperior
England,
but.

any

refpecl

thofe
;

were then made in

was

inferior in others

for thofe publifhed

by
s

my
a

father in 1771, poffeffed all the advantages of Dell ebarrc higher degree, except that of changing the eye glafles.

In 1784,

M. /Epimis

publifhed

a defcription

of what he

termed new-invented microfcopes,

Sciences de St.

in a letter to the

Pcterfburg; * they are nothing

Academie des more than an appurpofes.

the lead verfed

plication of the acromatic perfpeclive to microfcopic

Now

it

has been long

known

to every one
eafily

who

is

in optics, that

any telefcope

is

converted into a microfcope,

from the eye by removing and that the diftance of the image varies with the diftance glaffes from the focus, and is magnified more, as it's -objecl: of the
the objecl: glafs to a greater diftance
j

diftance

from the

objecl;

is

greater: the fame telefcope may,

therefore, be fuccemvely turned into a microfcope, with different

magnifying powers, Mr. Martin had

alfo

{hewn, in his defcription

eafily the fmall acro-

and

ufe of a

polydynamic microfcope, how

matic perfpeclive

may be

applied to this purpofe.

this

Botanifts.

might find fome advantage in attending to

inftrument

it

would

affift

them

in difcovering fmall plants at a diftance,

and

thus often fave

them from the thorns of the hedge, and

the dirt of

a ditch.

Fig.

i,

Plate III. reprefents the

improved lucernal microfcope.

* Defcription des Nouveaux Microfcopes, invcntes par M. iEpinus.,

24
Fig.
1,

Mi croscopical Essays.
Plate V. reprefents a folar

opake microfcope.

Fig. 4, Plate VI.

is

a picture of the

common

folar microfcope.

Fig. 3,

Plate IV.

is

what

is

ufually

called Culpeper's,

or

the three pillared microfcope.

Fig.

l,

Plate IV. the improved double and fingle microfcope.

Fig. 2, Plate IV. the beft double conflrucled microfcope.

Fig.

i,

Plate VII. A. the

common double conflrucled microfcope.

or convenient

Fig. 3,

Plate VIII.

a microfcopic telefcope,

portable apparatus for a traveller.

We cannot conclude this

obfervations
difcoveries

chapter better than with the following

on the microfcope.
;

We are indebted to
but
let

it

for

many
It

in natural hiftory

us not fuppofe, that the

Creator intended to hide thefe obj eels from our obfervation.

is

true, this inltrument difcovers to us as

feries

new

of animals,

new

forefts

were a new creation, of vegetables but he who

it
;

gave being to thefe, gave us an undemanding capable of inventing means to affift our organs in the difcovery of their hidden
beauties.

He

gave us eyes adapted to enlarge our

ideas, and. ca-

pable of comprehending a univerfe at one view, and confequently incapable of difcerning thoie minute beings, with which he has

peopled every atom of the univerfe.

But then he gave properties

it

and

qualities to matter

of a particular kind, by which

would

procure us this advantage, and at the fame time elevated the under-

Microscopical Essays.
underflanding from one degree of knowledge to another,
till

25
it

was able to difcover

It is thus

thefe affiftances for our fight.

we fhoukl
It is to

confider the difcoveries

made by

thofe in-

flruments, which have received their birth from an exertion of

our

faculties.

the fame power,

who

created the objects of

our admiration,
covering them.

that

we

are ultimately to refer the

therefore,

means of difus.

Let no one,

accufe us of prying

deeper into the -wonders of nature, than was intended for

There
frefli

is

nothing

we

difcover
;

by

their amftance,

which

is

not a

fource of praife

and

it

does not appear, that our faculties

can be

better employed, than in finding

means

to inveftigate the

works of God.

From
to

a partial confideration of thefe things,

we

are very apt

ufelefs
us,

criticife

what we ought

to admire to

to

look upon as

what perhaps we fhould

did we
thanks
fee a little farther
;

own
;

be of

infinite

advantage to

to be peevifh

where we ought to give

and

at

the fame time, to ridicule thofe

in

who employ
i.

their

time and thoughts

examining what we were,

e.

fome of us
In fhort,

nioft affuredly were, created

and appointed to

ftudy.

we

are too apt to treat the

treat

Almighty worfe than a

rational

man

would

a good mechanic, whofe works he would either

thoroughly examine, or be alhamed to find any fault with them. This is the effeft of a partial confideration of nature but he who
;

lias

candor of mind, and

:

leifure to

look farther, will be inclined

to cry out

How wondrous
With number,

is

this

fcene

where

all is
!

form'd
defign'd
,

weight, and meafure

all

For

Microscopical Essays.
For fome
great end
;
!

where not alone the plant

Of (lately growth

the herb of glorious hue,

1

Or food-full fubftance not the laboring fteed, The herd, and flock that feed us not the mine
;

That yields us ftores

for elegance
table,

and

ufe

The fea that loads our The wanderer man from

Thofe
Their kindly influence
;

and conveys
all

clime to clime, with

rolling fpheres, that

from on high

flied

down

not thefe alone,

holds a rank

Which
Each

ftrike ev'n eyes incurious, but each mofs,,

fhell,

each crawling

infeft,

Important in the plan of Him, who fram'd This fcale of beings holds a rank, which loll
;

Would Which nature's

break the chain, and leave behind a

felf

gap

would

rue.

Almighty Beings
I

Caufe and fupport of all things, can Thefe objects of my wonder can I
;

view

feel

Thefe

fine fenfations,

Thou who doff

Doft thro
Alone,
5

thro'

and not think of thee ? th' eternal round of time^

exift

th'

immenflty of fpace

fhalt

thou alone excluded be

From

this
it

thy univerfe ? Shall feeble mart

Think

beneath his proud philofophy

To call for thy affiftanee, and pretend To frame a world, who cannot frame a clod ?~Not to know
Is to

thee,

is

not to

know

ourfelves

know

nothing

nothing worth the care

:

Of man's
Where

exalted fpirit

all

becomes,

Without thy ray

divine,

one dreary gloom,

lurk the monflers of phantaflic brains*

Microscopical Essays.
Order
bereft of thought, uncaus'd effe&s,

27

Fate freely acting, and unerring chance.

Where meanlefs matter to a chaos finks, Or fomething lower ftill, for without thee
It

crumbles into atoms void of force,

Void of refinance

it

eludes our thought.

Where laws

eternal to the varying code

Of felf-love
Take

dwindle.

Intereft, paffion,

whim,

place of right, and wrong, the golden chain

Of beings

melts away, and the mind's eye

All
is

Sees nothing but the prefent.

Is vifionary guefs

beyond

is

dream

death.*

Still ingfleet's

MifCellaneous Tra&s.

HA

S>8

Microscopical E s s a ys,

C
Of
Visign,

H A

P.

IT..

the Optical Effect of Microscopes^ AND OF THE MANNER OF ESTIMATING THEIR MAGNIFYING Powers.
of

HP H E
fitions

progrefs that has been

made

in die feienee

of

optics,,

in the laft and prefent century, particularly by Sir Ifaac

Newton, may with propriety be ranked among the

of

greater! acqui-

human knowledge.
their

And

Meff. Delaval and Herfchel.

that the boundaries

have fhewn by
feienee

difcoveries,

of

this,

may be

considerably enlarged.

which minifter to the fenfe of fight, are thepart of the inanimate creation of aftonifhing and mod wonderful which we (hall foon be convinced, if we confider their extreme

The

rays of light,

minutenefs, their inconceivable velocity, the regular variety

of

colours they exhibit, the invariable laws according to which they

are acted

upon by other
facility

fubftances, in their reflections, inflections,,

lea'ft

and
ties
;

refractions,

without the

change of their original properpervade bodies of the

without refinance, without
Thefe,I
believe, will

and the

with which they

clofeft texture,

greater!: denfity

and

crouding or difturbing each other.

be

deemed

fufficient proofs
it is

of the wonderful nature of thefe rays

without adding, that

by a peculiar modification of them, that

we

are indebted for the advantages

we

obtain by the mierofcope..

The-

Microscopical Essays.
I

29

and treats of many of Thefcience of optics, which explains light, is deduced from experiments, the properties of thefe rays of It is impoffible to give an on which all philofophers are agreed. a knowledge of idea of the nature, of virion, without
adequate

and the mathematical reafoning grounded volume, I upon them; but as to do this would alone fill a large princigeneral more the only endeavour to render forne of
thefe experiments,

mall

ples clear, that the reader,

who

is

unacquainted with the fcience

of optics,'

may

neverthelefs be enabled to

comprehend the nature

of the mod important of of vifion by the micro fcope. Some from the following very thefe principles may be deduced
Miterefting

experiment.
the light be admitted therein only
is fine,

Darken a room, and

a fmallhole; then,
wall,
jefts
if

let

by

the weather

you
all

will

fee

on the

which

is

facing the hole, a piaure of

thofe exterior ob-

which

thefe will

be but

colours, though are oppofite thereto, with all their The image of the objeas that are faintly feen.
trees,

Stationary, as

while the houfes, &c. will appear fixed; The feen to move. images of thofe that are in motion, will be crofs rays the becaufe will appear inverted,

image of every objea If the fun mines on. hole. each other in palling through the fmall in a (trait line, and proceed the hole, we (hall fee a luminous ray in this ray, it will be in terminate on the wall. If the eye is placed the fame with every a right line with the hole and the fun: it is images of the obother objea which is painted on the wall. The
proportion jeas exhibited on the fame plane, are fmaller in
as the

objeas are further from the hole.

Many

Microscopical Essays.
may be deduced from the foregoing experiment, among which are the following
important are the inferences which
1.

Many and

That

light

flows in a

right

line.

2.

which a

That a luminous point may be feen from all thole places to ftrait line can be drawn from the point, without meeting
;

with any obilacle

and confequently

3.

That a luminous

point,

by fome unknown power, fends

and
is

forth rays of light in all directions,

the center of a fphere

;

of light, which extends

indefinitely

on

all fides

and

if

we conis

ceive fome of thefe rays to be intercepted by a plane, then

the

luminous point the fummit of a pyramid, whole body

is

formed

by the

rays,

and

it's

bafe by

the intercepting
is

plane.'

-The
is

image of the furface of an object, which

alfo the bafe

painted on the wall,

is

of a pyramid of

light,

the apex of which

the

hole

the rays which form this pyramid,

fimilar

by

croffrng at the hole,

form another,

and oppofite

to this, of
objecl;

which the hole

the bafe.

is

alfo the fummit, and the furface of the

4.

That an

objecl:

is

vifible,

becaufe

all it's

points are radiant

points.

5.

That the

particles

of light are indefinitely fmall

for the

rays,

which proceed from the points of all the

it,

objecls oppofite to

the hole, pafs through

though extremely

fmall, without

em-

barraffmg or confounding each other*

6.

That

Microscopical Essays.
6.

^
the

That every ray of

from which
it

light carries with

it

image of the

object

was emitted.

The
by

nature of virion in the eye,

may be
room
;

imperfectly illuftrated
the pupil of the eye

the experiment of the darkened

and

being confidered as the hole through which the rays of light pafs, crofs each other, to paint on the retina, at the bottom of the
all

eye, the inverted images of

thofe objects which are expofed to

the fight, fo that the diameter of the images of the

fame object

are greater, in proportion to the angles formed at the pupil,

by

the croffing rays which proceed from the extremities of the obthat is, the diameter of the image is greater, in proportion ject;
;

as the diftance

is lefs is

or, in

other words, the apparent magni-

tude of an object

in fome' degree

meafured by the angle under

which

it is

feen,
is

and

this angle increafes or diminifhes, according

to,

as the object

nearer

or further from the eye

is

and confeobject,,

quently, the

lefs

the diftance

between the eye and the

the larger the latter will appear.

From hence
feen
pleafe
;

it

follows, that the apparent diameter of an object:

in

by the naked eye, may be magnified

for as the apparent diameter
is is

any proportion we
to lefien

inereafed, in proportion

as the diftance from the eye

leffened,

we have only

the diftance of the object from the eye, in order to increafe the apparent diameter thereof. * Thus, fuppofe there is an object,

which to an eye at E fub tends or appears under the angle AEB, we may magnify the apparent diameter

AB,
in
If,

Plate

I.

Fig. i,

what proportion we
for inftance,

pleafe,

by bringing our eye nearer

it

to

it.

we would magnify

in the proportion of

FG
tO)

* Rutherfortk's Syftem of Natural Philofophy, p. 330.

g2
to

Microscopical Essays,

AB;

that

is,

if

large as

FEG,

or would

object as long as

we would fee the object tinder an angle as make it appear the fame length that an F G would appear, it may be done by coming
For the apparent diameter is
as the dift ance

nearer to the object.

inverfely; therefore, if

CD
F

is

as

much

lefs

than

C E,

as

FG

is

greater than

AB, by

bringing the eye nearer to the object in the

proportion of
nified in the

CD

to

ED,

the apparent diameter will be

mag-

proportion of

G to AB

fo that the object

AB,
ap-

to the eye at D, will appear as long as an object.

F G would

pear to the eye at E.

In the fame manner, 'we might (hew, that

the apparent diameter of an object,

may be

infinite.

when feen by the naked eye, For fmce the apparent diameter is reciprocally when
the diflance of the eye
is

as the diflance of the eye,

nothing,

or when the eye

will

is

clofe to the object at C, the

infinite.

apparent diameter

be the reciprocal of nothing, or

There

is,

however, one great inconvenience

of
glafles,

in thus magnify-,

by placing the eye ing an The inconvenience is, that we cannot fee an object nearer to it. the eye is about five or fix inches from it thereunlefs diftinctly,
object, without the help
%

fore, if we

bring

it

nearer to our eye than five or fix inches, howit

ever

it

may be
to, is

magnified,

will

be feen confufedly.

Upon
is

this

account, the greateft apparent magnitude of an object that

are ufed the apparent magnitude,
it
:

we
five

when

the eye

about

and we never place an object much within .that diflance; becaufe, though it might be magnified by this means, yet the confufion would prevent our deriving any advanor fix inches from
tage from feeing
ordinary,
it

fo large.

The

fize

of an object feems extralens

;

when viewed through a convex impoffible to make it appear of the fame

4

not becaufe

it

is

fize to the

naked eye,
but

Microscopical Essays.

33

but becaufe at the diftance from the eye which would be neceffary for for this purpofe, it would appear exceedingly confufed
;

which

reafon,

we never bring our eye

fo near

to

it,

and confeof this

quently, as
fize, it

we have not been accuftomed to

fee the object

appears an extraordinary one.

On
it is

account of the extreme minutenefs of the atoms of light, clear, a fmgle ray, or even a fmall number of rays, cannot
a fenfible

impremon on the organ of fight, whofe fibres are very grofs, when compared to thefe atoms it is neceffary, thereproceed from the furface of an fore, that a great number mould as the rays of light, which But vifible. it objecl, to render

make

proceed from

an objecl, are continually diverging, different methods have been contrived, either of uniting them in a given the manner of doing point, or of feparating them' at pleafure
:

this, is

the fubjecl of dioptrics and catoptrics.

By the
great

help of

glaffes,

we

unite in

the fame fenfible point a

number of rays, proceeding from one

point of an object

and as each ray carries with it the image of the point from whence the rays united muff; form an image of the it proceeded, all
object

from whence they were emitted.

This image
;

is

brighter,
diftincl;,
is

in proportion as there are

in proportion
as

more
in

rays united

and more

the order,

which they proceeded,

better
for, if

preferved in their union.

a white and poliffied plane

This
is

may

be rendered evident
is

placed where the union

it's

formed,

we
this
is

mail fee the image

of the object painted in all

will

colours on

plane

which image

be brighter,
it is

if all

adventitious light

excluded from the plane on which

received.

The

Si

Microscopical Essays.
The
point of union of the rays of light, formed
is

by means of

a glafs lens, &c.

called the focus.

Now,

as
it

each ray carries with

it

it

the image of the object, from

whence

proceeded,

follows, that if thofe rays, after interat their inter-

feeling each other,

and having formed an image

feron, are again united by a refraction or

form a new image, and that repeatedly,
not confounded or difturbed.

reflection, they will

is.

as long as their order

It follows alfo, that

when

the progrefs of the luminous ray

is

under confideration, we

may
;

look on the image as the object,

and the object as the image and confider the fecond image, a& if it had been produced by the firffc as an object, and fo on.
produced

In order to gain a clear idea of the wonderful

effects

by

glaffes,

we muff proceed

to fay fomething of the principles

of

refraction.

Any body, which

rays of light,
is

is

fo conftituted as to yield a paffage to the

called a

mediums of
rays of light,
afford

light.
it is

medium. Air, water, glafs, Sec. are If any medium affords an eafy paffage to the

called a

rare medium; but

it
is

if

it

does not

an eafy paffage

to thefe rays,

called

a dense

medium.
Let Z, Fig.
2,

Plate

I.

be a rare medium, and

the plane furface
it

and

let

be a perpendicular to

them be feparated by it, and cutting

Y a denfe one G H. Let I K

;

in C.

Microscopical Essays.

35

With the center C, and any diftance, let a circle be defcribed. Then let AC be a ray of light, falling upon the denfe medium.
This ray,
caufe the
if

nothing prevented, would go forward to

but be-

medium Y is fuppofed to be denfer than Z, it will be toward the perpendicular I K, and defcribe the downward bent
line

C B.
the

The ray AC is called the refracted ray. The

angle

incident ray; and the ray

C B,

angle

ACI
is

is

called the

angle of incidence, and

the

BCK

called the

angle of refraction.
right line
is

If from the point A,

upon the
that line

C I,

there be let

fall

the perpendicular
incidence.

A D,

called the fine of the angle of

In the fame manner,

I

if

from the point B, upon the right

line

K,

there be

let fall

the perpendicular

B E,

that line will be the

fine

of the angle of

refraction.

The
this

fines

of the angles are the meafures of the

is

refractions,

and

meafure

conftant
will

that

is,

whatever

is

the fine of the angle

line

of incidence,

it

be in a conftant proportion to the

of the

angle of refraction,

when

the

mediums continue the fame.

general idea of refraction

may be formed from

the following

experiments.

Let

A B C D,

Fig. 3, Plate

I.

reprefent a veffel fo placed, with

refpecl to the candle E, that the ftiadow of the fide

A C may

fall

g6
at

Microscopical Essays.
D.
Suppofe the
will
veffel

to be
;

now

filled

with water, and the

fhadow

withdraw

to

the ray of light, inftead of proceed-

ing to D, being refracted or bept to d.

And
is

there

is

no doubt

but that an eye, placed

direction

at d,

would

fee the candle at e, in the

alfo confirmed

of the refracted ray d A.

This

by the

following pleafing experiment.

Lay
bafon
;

a {hilling, or any piece of money, at the bottom of a

then withdraw from the bafon,

;

till

fhilling

fill

the bafon nearly with water,

you lofe fight of the and the fhilling will be

it.

feen very plainly, though

you are

at the

fame diftanee from

Experiment 3
water
;

Place a flick over a bafon which

fo
;

is filled

with

then

reflect the fun's rays,

that they

may

fall

perpen-

dicularly
fall

on the

furface of the water

place,

the fhadow of the flick will

on the fame

whether the

veffel

be empty or

full.

What

has been faid of water,

may be

applied to any tranfc

is

parent medium, only the power of refraction

greater in

fome

than in others.
derive
optics.
all

It

is

from

this

wonderful property,

that

we
and

the curious effects of glafs, which

It is to this

make

it

the fubject of

we owe

the powers of the microfcope

the telefcope.

To produce thefe
figures,

effects,

pieces of glafs are formed into given

which,

when

fo formed, are called lenfes.

The

fix

un-

der-mentioned figures, are thofe which are moft in ufe for optical
purpofes*

Microscopical Essays,
t,

27
fide,

A A

plane glass, one

that

is

flat

on each
I.

and of an

equal thicknefs throughout.

F, Fig. 13, Plate

2.

double convex glass, one

that

is

more elevated
I.

to-

wards the middle than the edge.

B, Fig. 13, Plate

3.

A A
A
A

double concave

is

hollow on both

fides,
I.

or thinner

in the middle than at the edges.

D,

Fig. 13, Plate

4.

plano convex,
13, Plate

flat

on one

fide,

and convex on the

other.

A, Fig.

L
flat

5.

plano concave,
C, Fig. 13, Plate
I.

on one

fide,

and concave on the

other.

6.

meniscus, convex on one

13,

fide,

concave on the other.

E,Fig.

Hate

It

has been already obferved, that light proceeds invariably

from a luminous body, in ftrait lines, without the leaft deviation but if it happen to pafs from one medium to another, it
;

always leaves the direction

After having taken
line,
it
till

it

had

before,

and affumes a new one.

it

this

new

direction,

proceeds in a

ftrait

it

meets with a different medium, which again turns

out of it's courfe.

A
fame

ray of light, palling obliquely through a plane glafs, will

it

go

out in the fame direction

line.

entered,
Fig. 4,

though not precifely

Plate
will
I,

in the

The

ray

C D,

falling obliquely

upon

the furface of the plane glafs

AB,

be refracted towards
the

38

Microscopical Essays.

the glafs in the direction

DE

but when

it

comes

to E,

it

will

be

as

much

refracted the contrary way.

If the ray of light

glafs, it

fallen perpendicularly

on the
it

fur face

of the plane

had would

have

paffed

through
all.

in a

flrait line,

and not have been

refra&ed at

If parallel rays of light, as a b c

directly upon a convex
lens
it.

e f g, Fig. 6, Plate

I.

fall

A B,

they will be fo bent,

as to

unite in a point

behind

For the ray d D, which

falls

perit

pendicularly

upon

the middle of the glafs, will

:

go through

without fuffering any refraction

fides

but thofe which go through the

of

the lens, falling obliquely

on

it's

furface, will

be fo bent,
is.

as to meet the central ray at C.

The

further the ray a

it

from

the axis of the lens, the more obliquely

will fall

upon

it.

The

rays a b c d e gswill be fo refra&ed, as to meet or be collect ed in

the point K, called the principal focus,

whofe

diftance, in a

double convex

lens,

is

equal to the radius or femi-diameter of the

All the rays crofs the middle
to the contrary fide, in the

fphere of the convexity of the lens.

ray at C, and then diverge from

it

fame manner

as they

were before converged.

If another lens, of the

fame convexity,
at

as

A B,

Fig. 6, Plate

I.

be placed in the rays, and

it

the fame diflance from the

it,

focus,
all

mil

refract,

them, fo that after going out of

they will

be
the

parallel again,
ftrft

and go on

in

the fame manner

as they

came

to

glafs

A B,

but on the contrary fides of the middle ray.

The
focus
:

rays diverge from any radiant point, as from a principal

therefore, if a candle
lens

be placed
I.

at C, in the focus

of the
it

convex

AB,
6

Fig. 6, Plate

the rays diverging from

will

be

Microscopical Essays,
be fo refracted by the
lens, that after

going out of

it,

they

will
it's

become
more or
If

parallel.

If the candle be placed nearer the lens than

focal diftance, the rays will diverge

lefs diftant

more or lefs,

as the candle

is

from the focus.

any objed,

A B,
E

Fig. 7, Plate F,

I.

be placed beyond the focus

of the convex lens

point of
the objecl,

fome of the rays which flow from every

fide

on the
it,

next the

glafs,

will fall

upon

it,

and

after patting

through

they will be converged into as

;

many
which

points on the oppofite fide of the glafs

for the rays a b,

flow from the point A, will converge into ab, and meet at C.

The
c d,

rays c d, flowing from the point

G,

will

be converged into
will

and meet

at

and the rays which flow from B,

meet

each

other again at

and
:

fo

of the rays which flow from any of

the intermediate points

for there wilt

be

as

many

focal points

formed, as there are radiant points in the object, and confequently they will paint on a
ftieet

of paper, or any other

light-

coloured body, placed

If the objecl:
is

at

D g c,

an inverted image of the objecl.

will

brought nearer the lens, the piclure

it

be formed
rays will

further

off.

If

be placed

at the principal focus, the

go out
glafs.

parallel,

and confequently form no piclure behind the

The human
virion,

eye

is

fo eonflituted, that
fall

it

can only have

diftlncl

when

the rays which

on

it

are parallel, or nearly fo;

is

becaufe the retina, on which the image

painted,

is

placed in

the focus of the cryftalline humor, which performs the office of

a lens in collecting rays, and forming the image in the bottom

of the eye.

The

40

Microscopical Essays.
picture,

The

formed by a convex
it's

lens,

is

either larger or lefs

than the object, in proportion as

greater or
lefs

diftance
objecl;.

from the

lens

is

than

it's

diftance

from the

As an

object

becomes perceptible to
formed on the

us,

by means of the image

be feen

thereof which

is

retina, it will, therefore,

in that direction, in

image, and will

which the rays enter the eye to form the always be found in the line, in which the axis of
it

a pencil of rays flowing from

enter the eye.

We

from hence

acquire a habit of judging the object to be Note as the mind is unacquainted with the refraction the rays
fituated in that line.
;

fuffer before

they enter the eye,

it

judges them to be in the line

produced back, in which the axis of a pencil of rays flowing from was before the refraction. it is fituated, and not in that in which it
If the rays, therefore, that proceed

from an

object, are

re-

fraaed and refleded feveral times before they enter the eye, and thefe refraBions, or refkaions, change confiderably the'

which proceed from the object it line, which would come is clear, that it will not be feen in that but it will be feen in the direction of {trait from it to the eye and form the image thereof on it. eye, thofe rays which enter the
original direaion of the rays
;

We

perceive the prefence and figure of objeBs,

by the imthe mind, in

preffion each refpeaive

image makes on

the retina

confequence of thefe impreffions, forms conclufions concerning

It mull however be the fize, pofition, and motion of the objea. reified or changed obferved, that thefe conclufions are often

habitual imby the mind, in confequence of the effects of more For example there is a certain diftance, at which, Dreflions.
;

Microscopical Essays.
in the general bufmefs of

41
:

life, we are accuftomed to fee objeds now, though the meafure of the image of thcfe obje&s changes

considerably

when they move from, or approach nearer

fize is

to us, yet

we do

not perceive that their

much

altered

but beyond

this diftance,

we

find the objeas

creafed, in proportion as

appear to be diminifhed, or inthey are more or lefs diftant from us.

For and

inftance, if I place

my

eye

fucceffi vely at two, at

four,

at fix feet

from the fame perfon, the dimenfions of the image

be nearly in the proportion of 1, of |, of h and confequently they mould appear to be diminifhed in the fame proportion but we do not perceive this
retina will
;

on the

diminution,

becaufe the mind has reaified the impreflion

retina.

received
that
if

To

prove

this,

we need only
he

confider,

on we

the
fee

a perfon at 120
Imall, as if the

appear fo ftrikingly fame perfon mould be viewed from the top of a

feet diftance,

will not

tower, or other building, 120 feet high, a fituation to which

we

had not been accuftomed.

From

hence,

alfo, it

is

clear, that

when we

place

glafs

between the objea and the eye, which from it's figure changes the direaion of the rays of light from the objea, this objea ought not to be judged as if it were placed at the ordinary reach of the fight, in which cafe we judge of it's fize more by habit than by the dimenfions of the images formed on the retina': but itmuft be eftimated by the fize of the image in the eye,

come from

or by the angle formed at the eye, by the two rays which the extremity of the objea.

It'

42
If the
lefs

Microscopical Essays.
image of an
object,

formed
at the

after refraction,

is

greater

or

than the angle formed

eye,

by the

rays proceeding

from the extremities of the object

approaches

itfelf,

the object will appear

;

alfo proportionably enlarged or diminilhed

to,

fo that if the

eye
will-

or removes from, the

laft

image, the object

appear to increafe or diminifh,

though the eye mould

it

in reality

remove from
inflead of

it

in

one

cafe, or

approach towards

in the other
is

becaufe the image

it.

takes place of the object,

and

confidered

The apparent diflance of an

by the
real
is

object
laft

from the eye, image

;

is

not meafured

diftance from the

for, as the

apparent
fize, it

diflance

eftimated principally by the ideas

we have of their

follows, that when we fee objects, whofe images are increafed or diminimed by refraction, we naturally judge them to be nearer

or further from the eye, in proportion to the fize thereof, when,

compared

to that with
is

which we are acquainted. The apparent

confiderably affected by the brightnefs,
thereof.

diflance of an object
diftin&nefs,

and magnitude

Now

as thefe circumftances.

are, in a certain degree, altered

their paffing

through different

by the refraction of the mediums, they will alfo,

rays, in

in

fome

meafure,

affect the eflimation

of the apparent diflance.

neceffary to be cautious not to

In the theory of vifion,

it

is

confound the organs of vifion with the being that perceives, or it with the perceptive faculty. The eye is not that which fees,
is

only the organ by which

we

fee.

A man cannot fee

no

the fatek

lites

of Jupiter but by a telefeope.

it is

that

the telefeope that fees

Does he conclude from this, thofe ftars ? By no means; fuch a

is

conclufion would be abfurd.

It

lefs

abfurd to conclude,.
that

Microscopical Essays.
that
it is

43

the eye that fees.

of

fight,

but
fee

it
;

fees not.

The telefcope is an artificial organ The eye is a natural organ of fight, by

fees as little as the artificial.

which we

but the natural organ

The

eye

is

a machine, molt admirably contrived for refracting

the rays of light, and forming a diftinct picture of objects upon the retina; but it fees neither the object nor the picture. It can

Form .the picture

enfues.
it is

after

it is

taken out of the head, but no vifion

it's

Even when

it is

in

proper place, and perfectly found,

in

well

known, that an obftruction

the optic
all

nerve takes
it

away vifion, though the eye has performed

For
ufelefs

that belongs to

was

this textur'd

f wonder made,
!

Were
Thofe

nature, beauteous object

undifplayed
fight,

both in vain, the object

and the

Wrapt from the radiance of revealing As vain the bright illuminating beam,
"Unwanted by the medium's airy ftream

light

Yet vain the

textur'd eye,

and object
air

fair,

The

funny

luftre,

and continuous
this

Annull'd and blank

All, all
it's

grand

illuftrious fcene,

grace and

lifelefs glories

vain

Till

from

th'

Eternal

fprung

this effluent foul,

Form'd to

infpect,

and comprehend the whole. J

F
* Reid on
+ The eye.
'%

2
Man,

Of
p.

the Intelle&ual Powers of

78*

Brooke's Univerfal Beauty,

p.

88.

44

Microscopical Essays*
Of the Single Microscope..
The
fingle

microfcope renders minute objects

vifible,

by mean
Let;

of a fmall glafs globule, or convex tens, of a ffiort focus.

E Y,
ject,

Fig. li, Plate I. reprefent the eye; fituated very near to

it,

and

OB,

a fmall obit's,

confequently the angle of

apparent magnitude very large.

terpofed between the eye

Let the convex lens

object,

RS

be in-

and the

fo that the diflance'

between

it

and the

objecl;

may be

equal to the focal length; and,

the rays which diverge from the objecl;, and pafs through the
lens, will

afterwards
after which,,

proceed, and confequently enter the eye,

parallel

they will be converged, and form an in;.

verted picture on the retina, and the objecl; will be clearly feen

though, if removed to the diflance of

fix inches,

it's

fmallnefs

would render

it

invifible,

When the

lens

is

not held clofe to the eye, the objeft

pencils,

is

fomeat a?

what more magnified; becaufe the diflance from the center of the lens, are
the axis, and

which

pafs

refracted inward toward,

confequently feem

to

come from

points more12,
re-

remote from the center of the objecl;, as may be feen in Fig. Plate I. where the pencils which proceed from O and B are
fracted inwards,

and feem to come from the point

and m..
ftuT clearer

Fig. 8, Plate

I.

may, perhaps, give the reader a

view,

why

a convex lens increafes the angle of

the eye at

virion.

Without
under the

alens, as

FG,

A would

fee the dart

BC

angle b

Ae>

but the rays

B F and C
lens,,

from, the extremities

of

the dart in patting through the the direaions f

are refracted to t^e eye im

A and Ga,

which caufes the dart to be feen under

'

tte-

Microscopical Essays,
the

^~
g).

much

larger angle

DAE (the fame as the angle f A

will

And

therefore, the dart

BC

appear fo much magnified, as to ex-

tend in length from

to E.

The
Jens,

objeft,

when

thus feen diftin&Iy,

by means of the

fmall,

appears to be magnified nearly in the proportion which

the naked eye.

the focal diftance of the glafs bears to the diftance of the objects,

when viewed by

To
as

explain this further, place the eye clofe to the glafs, that
object

much of the

may be
;

feen at
fro,

one view
till

as

is

poffible

then remove the object to and

diftinft,

it

appears perfectly

and well defined

now remove
and
;

the lens,

and
it,

fubftitute

in

it's

place a thin plate, with a very fmall hole in

as

and the
with the

object will appear as diftinct,

lens,

much magnified,
it

as

though not quite

fo bright
it

and

appears as

much more
the naked
is lefs

magnified in this cafe, than

does

when viewed with

diftinctly

eye, as the diftance of the object: from the hole, or lens,

than the diftance at which

eye*.

it

may be feen

with the naked

From hence we
render the object

fee, that

the whole effect of the lens

it

is

diftinct,

which

does by

aflifting
;

the eye to

increafe the refraction of the rays in each pencil

and that the

it

apparent magnitude

is

entirely
it

owing to the object being feen fa

much

nearer the eye than

couldbe viewed without

Single microfcopes magnify the diameter of the object, * as

we

lave

already ftiewn, in the proportion of the focal diftance (to the

limits*

* Cyclopedia

art micxofcop-*

46
limits

Microscopical Essays,
of
diftincl vifion
if

with the naked eye) to eight inches.

For

example,
fides,

the femi-diameter of a lens, equally convex on both

is

be half an inch, which

as
is

alfo equal to

it's

focal diftance,

we mail have

to 8, fo

is 1

to 16

that

is,

the diameter
2.

of the object in the proportion of

diftance of eight inches
is

fix teen to

one.

As

the

always the fame,

is

it

follows, that

by

how much
difference

the focal diftance

it

fmaller, there will

;

be a greater

between

and the eight inches

and confequently,

the diameter of the objecl will be fo

much

the

more magnified,
3
.

in proportion as the lenfes are fegments of fmaller fpheres.

If

the objecl be placed in the focus of a glafs globule or fphere, and the eye be behind it in the focus, the objea will be feen diftina
in

an erea

fituation,

and magnified

as to its diameter, in the pro-

diameter of the globule to eight inches thus fuppofe the diameter of the fphere to be to of an inch 9
portion of I of the

then

1-

of this

will

be

equal to -h;

confequently,

the

real
as.

diameter of the objea to the apparent one, as

&

to 8, or

3 to 3 20, or

as 1 to

60 nearly.

Of the Double or Compound Microscope-.

In the

compound microfcope,
is

the image

is

viewed inftead of
lens, as

the objea, which image

magnified by a fingle
It confifts

the ob-

jea
a

is

in a fingle microfcope.

of an objea

lens,
is

L N,

Fig. 5,
little

Plate

I.

and an eye

glafs

F G. The objea
it's

OB

placed

further from the lens than

principal focal diftance, fo

that the pencils of rays proceeding from the different points of

the objea through the lens,

foci,

may converge

to

their

refpeftive
;

and form an inverted image of the objea at P Q which is image is viewed by the eye through the eye glafs F G, which

Microscopical Essays.
fo placed, that the image

47
fide,

may be

in

it's

focus on one

and

the eye at the fame diftance

on the

other.

The rays

of each penthey reach

cil will be parallel, after palling out of the glafs,

till

the eye at E, where they will begin to converge by the refraaive and after having crofted each other powers of the humours
;

in the pupil, and palled through the chrylialline and vitreous

humours, they

will

be collected

in points

on the

retina,

and form

a large inverted image thereon. be eafy, from what has been already explained, to underftand the reafon of the magnifying power of a compound The objea is magnified upon two accounts firft, microfc r e.
It will
;

becaufeif

appear

as

we viewed the image with much larger than the objea,

it,

the naked eye,

as

it

would
really

the image

is

larger than

or as the diftance f
this

is

greater than the diftance

is

fb

and fecondly, becaufe

glafs,

piaure

again magnified by the

eye

upon

the principle explained in the foregoing article

onvifton, by fingle micro fcopes.

But
lens,

it is

to

be noted, that the image formed

that

in the focus
differs

of a

as

is

the cafe in the

compound mierofcope,
;

from the

real

objea

in a very effential particular

is

to fay, the light

it

being emitted from the objea in every direction, renders

to

vifible

an eye placed

in

any pofition
from the
it's

but the points of the image

only when the
pencil,

formed by a
rays,

lens,

emitting no more than a fmall conical body of

glafs,

which
is

arrives

can be

vifible

eye

fituate

within

confine.
is

Thus the

which

emanates from o in the objea, and

converged by

the lens to

M,

proceeds afterwards

diverging towards H,

and therefore,

never arrives at the lens

F G, nor

enters the eye at E.

But the
pencils

4
pencils

Microscopical Essays
which proceed from the points o and
lens
b, will

be received
;

on the

F G, and by

it

carried parallel to the eye

confe-

quently, the
vifible
will
is
;

correfpondent points

of the image

will

be
I,

and thofe which are

fituate farther

out towards

and

not be feen. This quantity of the image

QP,

or vifible area,

called the field of view.

Hence
part of
it

it

appears,

that if the
;

image be

large, a very fmall

will
fall

be

vifible

becaufe the pencils of rays will for the

moft part

without the eye glafs F G.

And it is likewife plain,

that a remedy which would caufe the pencils, which proceed from the extremes O and B of the object, to arrive at the eye,
will render a greater part

of it

vifible

or, in

other words, enlarge

the field of view. This

is

effected

by the

interpofition of a

broad

lens E (Fig. 5,) of a proper curvature, at a fmall diftance from which the focal image. For, by that means, the pencil

DM,

would otherwife have proceeded towards H,

eye, as delineated in the figure, and the

is

refracted to the

mind conceives from

thence the exigence of a radiant point at O, from which the rays

laft

proceeded.

In like manner, and by a parity of reafon, the

is

other extreme of the image

feen at P,

and the intermediate

it
is,

points are alfo rendered vifible.

On
are

thefe considerations

That

compound microfcopes
objecT;

ufually

made
is

to confift

of

an

lens
;

N, by which the image

formed, enlarged,

and inverted an amplifying lens D E, by which the field of view means of which the eye is enlarged, and an eye glafs or lens, by to view the confequently is allowed to approach very near, and
image under a very great angle of apparent magnitude. It is now cuftomary to combine two or more lenfes together at the eye by glafs, in the manner of Euftachio Divini and M. Joblot;

which

TXslTJE

iSfa%^fry George Adams, ArF&d.F&et Jftvec. aftfie.actdir'&xr* LmM\\,3't;i#d/0r&jD

May &o,2?tf?,

Microscopical Essays,
which means, the aberration of light from the figure meafure corrected, and the apparent field increafed.
is

in

fome

Of the Solar Microscope,

thrown upon a fcreen in a darkened room. It may be confidered under two diftin6l heads ill, the mirror and lens, which are intended to
is
:

In this inftrument, the image of the object

reflecT:

the light of the fun

upon

the object

and 2dly, that

Let

part which conftitutes the microfcope, or which produces the

magnified image of the object, Fig. 10, Plate

fentthe fide of a darkened chamber,

I.

NO

reprelens,

GH

final!

convex

fixed oppofite to a perforation in the fide

NO, A B
room

a plane

mirror, or looking-glafs, placed without the

folar rays

to reflect the

on the

lens

CD, by which they

are

converged and con-

centrated on the object fixed at

F.

2.

The

object being thus illuminated, the ray

which proceeds

from
to

fcreen
I,
;

E L M;
will

be converged by the lens

GH

to a focus
will

K, on the
I

and the ray which comes from F

be converged

and the intermediate points will be delineated between

thus forming a picture, which will be as

and

much

larger than

the object, in proportion as the diftance of the fcreen exceeds

that of the image from the object.

From what has been

faid, it

appears plainly, the advantages

firft,

we

gain by microfcopes are derived,

from

their

magnifying

power, by which the eye

the parts

is
:

enabled to view more diftincUy

fecondly, that

of minute objects
is

by

their afTiftan.ce,
is

more light

thrown

into the pupil of the eye, than

done without

.G

Microscopical Essays.
out them.

The

advantages procured by the magnifying power,

if

would be exceedingly circumfcribed,

panied by the
latter
:

they were not accomlight

is

for if the
it's

fame quantity of
is

diflufed

over a

much larger furface,

object,

force

proportionably diminifhed
will

and therefore the

obfcure.

though magnified,

be dark and

Thus, fuppofe the diameter of the object to be enlarged

of the

ten times, and confequently the furface one hundred times, yet,
if the focal diftance

glafs

was eight

inches, (provided this

fize

was

poffible)

and

it's

diameter only about the

of the pupil of

the eye, the object

would appear one hundred times more obfcure

glafs,

when viewed through the

naked eye
mitted
all
;

than

when
it,

it

was feen by the

glafs tranf-

and

this

even on the fuppofition, that the

fell

the light which

upon

which no

glafs

can do.

But

if the glafs

was only four inches focal

diftance,

and

it's

diameter remained as before, the inconvenience would be vaftly

diminifhed
;

becaufe the glafs could be placed twice as near the

objet as before, and

would confequently receive four times as many rays as in the former cafe, and we mould therefore fee it much brighter than before. By going on thus, diminifhing the
and keeping
it's

focal diftance of the glafs,

poffible,

diameter as large as

perceive the objed proportionably magnified, and yet remain bright and diftinft. Though this is the cafe in

we

{hall

theory, yet there

is

a limit in optical inftruments, which

is

foon

arrived

at,

but which cannot be palled.

This

arifes

from the

* following circumftances.

1.

The

quantity of light loft in paffing through the glafs.

2.

The

* Encyclopedia Br tannica,

vol. viii.

p.

5635.

Microscopical Essays,
2.

The diminution
it

in the diameter of the glafs or lens

itfelf,

by

which

receives only a final! quantity of rays.

3.

The extreme
is

fhortnefs of the focal diflance of great

free accefs of the light to the object

magwifh
light

nifiers,

whereby the
weakened..

we

to view

impeded, and confequently the reflection of the

from

it is

4.

The

aberration of the rays, occafioned by their different

refrangibility.

To make
dull kind
falls

this

more

clear, let us
it

fuppofe a lens

made of fuch
be of four

of glafs, that
it.

tranfmits only one half the light that

upon
it's

It is evident, that

mppofing

this lens to

inches focus, and to magnify the diameter of the object twice,

and

own breadth

equal to that of the pupil of the eye, the

object, will

bright as if

be four times magnified in furface, but only half as it was feen by the naked eye at the ufual diflance for
;

the light which

diflance,

falls

upon

the eye from the object at eight inches

in
it's

and likewife the furface of the object

1,

natural fize,

being both reprefented by

will

the furface of the magnified object

it

be

4,

and the

light

which makes

vifible

only 2

becaufe

though the

glafs receives four times as

much

light as the

naked

eye does at the ufual diflance of

in palling through the glafs.

diflincl: virion,

yet one half is loft

The
it is

inconvenience, in this refpecl,

can only be removed fo

far as

pofhble to increafe the tranftranfmit nearly all

parency of the

glafs, that it
it
;

may

the rays

which

fall

upon

and how

far this

can be done, has not been

yet afcertained.

Microscopical Essays.
The fccond
obflacle to the perfection
;

of"

microfcopic

glafles,

is

the final 1 fize of great magnifiers

by which means, notwithflandreceive a fmaller

glafs

ing their near approach to the object, they

quantity of light than might be expected. Thus, fuppofe a

of

only one-tenth of an inch focal diftance,fuch aglafs would increafe

the vifible diameter eighty times,

the breadth of the glafs could at

and the furface 6400 times. If the fame time be preferved as

great as the pupil of the eye, which we fhall fuppofe one-tenth of an inch, the object would appear magnified 6400 times, and every
part

would be as bright

as it

appears to the naked eye.

it

But
will

if

we

fuppofe the lens to be only 4s of an inch diameter,

then

only receive of the light which would otherwife have fallen upon it therefore, inftead of communicating to the magnified
;

objet: a quantity of light equal to 6400, it would communicate an illumination fuited only to 1600, and the magnified object

would appear four times

throwing a

as

dim as

it

does to the naked eye.

This
by-

inconvenience can, however, be

in a great degree

removed,

much larger quantity of light on the object Various methods of ending this purpofe will be pointed out in the

courfe of the work.

The

third obflacle

arifes
;

from the fhortnefs of the focal

this

diftance in large magnifiers

inconvenience can, like the

artificial

former, be remedied in fome degree by

means of accuit

mulating light

but

frill

the eye
it

is

fo

(trained, as
in

muff be
capable

brought nearer the

glafs than

can well bear, which

lenfes,

fome mea-

fure fuperfedes the ufe of very deep

or fuch

as are

of magnifying beyond a certain degree.

The

Microscopical Essays.
The
bility

53

fourth obftacle which arifes from the different refrangilight,

of the rays of

and which frequently caufes fuch

deviations from truth in the appearance of things, that

many have imagined themfelves to have made furprizing difcoveries, and have communicated them as fuch to the world when, in fact, they
;

have been only optical deceptions, owing to the unequal refraction

of the

rays.

In telefcopes,

this

error has

been happily

corrected
glaffes
;

by Mr. Dollond's valuable difcovery of achromatic

but

how

far this

invention

is

applicable to the improve;

ment of microfcopes, has not yet been

there
is

applied to

fome them

reafon for
;

afcertained and indeed fuppofmg, they cannot be fuccefsfully

fo that this obftacle remains yet to

faid to

be remedied,

before microfcopes can be

have received their ultimate

degree of perfection.

Of the Magnifying Powers of the Microscope.

We have already treated of the apparent magnitude of objects,

and (hewn that they are meafured by the angles under which they
are feen, and that this angle
is

greater or fmaller, according as

the object

is

nearer
lefs

to,

or further from, the eye;

it

and convifion, the

it
;

fequently, the

the diftance at which

:

can be viewed, the

larger

it

will

appear

but from the

limits

of natural
is

naked eye cannot

diftinguifh

an object that

very near to
is

yet,

when

affifted

by a convex

lens, diftinct virion

obtained,

hownear

ever fhort the focus of the lens, and confequently,

foever the object
is

how

to the eye

and

the fhorter the focus

of

the lens

is,

the greater will be the magnifying

it

power

thereof.

From

thefe confi derations,

will

not be

difficult to eftimate
;

the
for

magnifying power of any lens

ufe-d as

a fingle microfcope

4
this will

Microscopical Essays.
be in the fame proportion that the
lens.
If,

limits

of natural fight

bear to the focus of the

for inftance, the

convex

lens

is,

of one inch focus, and the natural fight of eight inches, an object

feen through that lens will" have

;

it's

diameter apparently
increafed in every

increafed eight times

direction,

but as the object

is

we muft

fquare this apparent diameter, to

;

know how

much the object is really magnified and thus we find the fuperficies is magnified 64 times.
From thefe
i-ng

multiplying 8 by 8 t

principles, the following general rule for afcertainis

the magnifying pov/er of (ingle lenfes,

thin

deduced.

Place a

fmall

tranfparent object on the ftage of the microfcope,

till

adjuft the lens

the object appears perfectly diftinct, then

mea-

fure the diftance accurately

between the lens and the object,

meafure
contained in eight

reduce the meafure thus found to the hundredths of an inch, and

calculate
inches,

how many

times this

is

will give

which you the number of times the diameter of the object is magnified which number multiplied into itfelf, or fquared,
firft
;

reducing the eight inches into hundredths,

gives the apparent fuperficial magnitude of the object.

As only one
fufficient,

fide

of an object can be viewed at a time,

it is

know how much the furface thereof is magnified but when it is neceffary to know how many minute objects are contained in a larger, as for inftance, how many given animalcula are contained in the bulk of a grain of fand, then we muft cube the firft number, by which means we mail obtain the
in general, to
:

folidity

or magnified bulk.

'The

Microscopical Essays,
The
nifying

55

foregoing rule has been alfo applied to eftimate the mag-

power of the compound microfcope. To this application, Mr. Magny, in the * Journal d'Economie pour les mois d'Aout one or two of thefe I mall 1753," has made feveral objections
:

juft

mention

the

firft

is

the difficulty of afcertaining with accu;

racy the precife focus of a fmall lens

fixed or

the fecond

is

the want of a

known

meafure, with which to compare the focus

when

afcertained.
will

Thefe confiderations, though apparently

trifling,

be found of importance in the calculations which are

relative

to deep magnifiers.

To

this

it

may be

further added, that the

fame ftandard or fixed meafure cannot be aflbmed for a fhortfighted, that

is,

ufed for a well-conftituted eye.

To

obviate

thefe difficulties,

and fome

errors in the

methods which were

offers

recommended by
the following

Meff. Baker and

Needham, Mr. Magny

Proposition.
All convex
lenfes,

of whatfoever focus, double the apparent

is

diameter of an object, provided that the object

the glafs on one fide, and the eye
is

at the focus

of

at the

fame diftance, or on

the focus of the glafs, at the oppofite fide.

Experiment.
Take
a double convex lens, of fix or eight inches focus, and

fix it as at

A,

Fig.

1,

(Plate

II.

A,) into the piece A, which

is

fixed

perpendicular to the rule

F G, and may be

Hid along

it

by means
Pa fie a
three

of it's focket

the rule

is

divided into inches and parts.

piece of white paper, two or three tenths of an inch broad, and

56

Microscopical Essays.

three inches long, on the board

this piece

draw three
it

lines with ink

on

of paper, fo

as to divide

into four equal parts, taking

care that the middle of the paper correfponds with the center of

the lens.
at e.

There

is

alfo a Hiding eye-piece,

which

is

reprefented

Take
and

this

apparatus into the darker! part of the room, but op-

pofite to the

window

direct the glafs

is

towards any remarkable

diftant object

which

out of doors, and

move
is

the Aiding

piece B, until the image of the object on the paper

clear.

fharp

and
lens,

The
is

diftance

between the face of the paper and the

fide
;

(which
is

fhewn on the

of the rule by the divifions thereon)

fet

the focus of the glafs

now

the eye-piece e

to the

fame

diflance on the other fide of the glafs, then with one eye clofe to

the light at

e,

look

at

the magnified image of the

:

lines,

and

with the other eye at the lines themfelves

the image, feen by

means of the

glafs,

and expreffed

in the figure

by the dotted

lines, will be double the breadth of the fame object feen by the natural eye. This will be found to be true, whatfoever is the focus

of the lens with which the experiment

This experiment

is

made.

is

rendered more fimple to thofe

who

are not

accuftomed

to obferve with

both eyes

at the

fame time, by

making

and placing the diameter perpendicular to the rule, as they may then readily view the magnified image and real object with the fame glance of the eye, and thus comufe of half a lens,

pare them together with eafe and accuracy.

Let the angle formed

at the

A F B,

Fig. 3, Plate II.

A, reprefent that which

is

naked

eye,

by the

rays of light

which pafs from the

extremities

Microscopical Essays,
extremities of the objea, and unite
at the

57
in the

eye

point F.

The angle DFE

were afterwards
glafs,

is

formed of the two rays, which

refracted, or bent,

at

firft

proceeded

parallel to each other from the extremities of the object, but that
fo

by

pa'fling
is

through the

as to unite at if s focal point F. fide

CO

equal to the focal

diftance of the lens on the

next the object,

CF

equal thereto

on the

fide

next the eye,

the diftance of the eye.

From
object

the allowed principles of optics,

it

is

evident, that the

it

would appear double the fize

to the eye at C, that

would
double

to the eye

when placed

at

becaufe the diflance

is

have only to prove then, that the angle the diftance C O. B is equal to the angle IF K, in order to eftablifh the

We

AC

proportion.

The
the

optical axis

is

perpendicular to the glafs and the furface of

object..

The

rays

A I, B K, which flow from the

points

A B,

are parallel to each other,

;

and perpendicular to the glafs, till they are then refracted, and proceed to F 5 they arrive at it where they form the triangle IF K, refting qn the bafe I K now B, the two trias C F is equal to C O, and I K is equal to A
:

angles
at

ACB IFK

are

fimilar,

and confequently

the

angle

C is equal

to the angle F.

If the vifual rays are continued to

triangle the furface of the objea, they will form the

equiangled to the triangle

fo
is

ABC;

and therefore,
double the
is

DFE, as CO is to A B,
it is

FD

to

DE;

and confequently, the apparent diameter of

is

the objea feen through the lens,

fize that

when

viewed by the naked eye.

i-efraaion

No notice
it

here taken of the double

of the

rays, as

does not affea the demonftration.

If

58
If

Microscopical
you advance towards M, half the
is

Essays,.
focal diftance, the
If,

apparent

diameter will be only increafed one-third.

the point of fight

on the contrary,
it's

lengthened to double the diftance of

focus, then the magnified diameter will

appear to be three times

that of

the real object.

Mr. Magny concludes from hence, that

in eftimating the

there

is

an impropriety

magnifying power of the

eye
is

glafs

of compound micro fcopes, by feeing

;

how often it's focus,

defects,

contained in eight or ten inches

and to obviate thefe

he recommends two methods

firm each other,.

to be ufed,

which reciprocally con-

The
pound

firft

and molt fimple method to

find
is

how much any comthe fame which

is.

microfcope magnifies an objecl,

defcribed

by Dr. Hooke

in his Micrographia,

and

is

as follows

place an accurate fcale,

which

is

divided into very minute parts,

of an inch, on the ftage of your microfcope; adjuft the microthen obferve with the fcope, till thefe divifions appear diftinft
;

other eye

how many

divifions

of a

rule, fimilarly

divided and
:

held at the ftage, are included in

for if

one of the- magnified divifions

one

divifion, as feen with

extends to thirty divifions on

eye,
it is

the rule, which

one eye through the microfcope, is feen by the naked

evident, that the diameter of the

objea

is

increafed or,

magnified thirty times.

often ufe a fmall black

For

this

purpofe,
II.

we

ebony

rule,

(fee

A.) three or four tenths of an inch broad, and about feven inches long at each inch is fixed a piece of ivory, ten equal: the firft inch entirely of ivory, and fubdivided into
Fig. 4, Plate
;

is

Microscopical Essays.
2.

^
or ivory
flic'er
;

A piece

of

glafs, Fig. 2, fixed in a Draft

on

the diameter of this are drawn two parallel

tenths of an inch long

lines,

about three-

each tenth being divided, one into three,

five parts.

the fecond into four, the third into

the
glafs, Fig. 2,
fide,

To

ufe this, place

rule, Fig. 4,

on the middle of thefiage, and the

it
;

on one

but parallel to

then look into the microfcope

with one eye, keeping the other open, and obferve

parts one-tenth of a line parts of the rule feen
in the

how many

by the

mkrofcope takes in upon the naked eye. For inftance, fuppofe

with a fourth magnifier, that one-tenth of an inch magnified anfwers in length to forty tenths or parts on the rule, when feen

by the naked

eye, then this magnifier increafes the diameter

of

the object forty times.

This mode of actual admeasurement

is,

without doubt, the

as
;

mod

fnnple that can be ufed

by

it

we comprehend,

it

were,
faves

atone glance, the

of calculation
but

different effecls

of combined, glafles

it

the trouble, and avoids the obfcurity that attends the ufual
;

modes
to

many

per fons find

it

exceedingly

difficult

method, becaufe they have not been accufiomed to obferve with both eyes at once, We (hall therefore proceed to
this

adopt

defcribe another method,

which has not

this

inconvenience.

Of the Needle Micrometer.

'Fig. 8,
<his

Plate

II.

A, reprefents

this

micrometer.

The

firft

of
in

kind was made by

my
;

father,
It

and was defcribed by him

his

Micrograph ia

Illuftrata.

confifts

of a fcrew, which has

ffiy threads to an inch this fcrew carries an index, which points to the divifions on a circular plate, which is fixed at right angles
II 2

to

6o

Microscopical Essays.
The
is
is,

to the axis of the fcrew.

revolutions of the
fifty

fcrew are
parts
;

counted on a

fcale,

which

an inch divided into

the

index to thefe divifions

Aider,

a flower de luce marked upon the

which

carries the needle point aerofs the field

of the micro-

fcope.

Every revolution of the micrometer fcrew meafures part of an inch, which is again fubdivided by means of the

&

on the circular plate, as this is divided into twenty equai parts, over which the index paffes at every revolution of the fcrew by which means, we obtain with eafe the meafure of one thoufandth part of an inch for 50, the number of threads on the
divifions
;
:

fcrew in one inch, being multiplied by 20 the divifions on the

circular plate, are equal to 1000
;

fo that

each divifion on the

cir-

cular plate mews, that the needle has either advanced or receded

one thoufandth part of an inch.

micrometer on the body of the microfcope, open* the circular part F K H, Fig. 8, Plate II. A, by taking out the fcrew G, throw back the femicircle F K which moves upon a

To place this

joint at

K, then turn the Aiding tube of the body of the microfcope, fo that the fmall holes which are in both tubes may exa&ly coincide, and let the needle g of the micrometer have a free pafiage through them after this, fcrew it faft upon the body by
;

the fcrew

G.
will

The needle

now

traverfe the field of the microfcope, and:

meafure the length and breadth of the image of any object that is But further affiftance muft be had, in order toapplied to it.
meafure the objecl
for
itfelg

which

is

a fubject of real importance

know

and though we have afcertained the power of the microfcope, of little that it is fo many thoufand times, yet this will be
,

affiftance

Microscopical Essays.
affiftance

61

towards afcertaining an accurate idea of it's real fize for our ideas of bulk being formed by the eomparifon of one object with another, we can only judge of that of any particular
body, by comparing
it

with another whofe

fize

is

known

the

fame thing
microfcope
;

is

neeeflary, in order to

form an eftimate by the

.

therefore, to afcertain the real meafure of the ob-

image of jea, we muff make the point of the needle pafs over the down the write and ftage, the on a known part of an inch placed palled over the revolutions made by the fcrew, while the needle afcertain the we means, which image of this known meafure by
;

number of revolutions on the fcrew, which are adequate to a real eye and known meafure on the ftage. As it requires an attentive
the watch the motion of the needle point, as it pafles over to ought not we ftage, the image of a known part of an inch on ought to repeat to one {ingle measurement of the image, but
to
truft
it

at leaft fix times

then add the

fix

meafures thus obtained to-

gether, and divide their

fum by
table,

fix,

or the
trials.

number of trials
This
refult
is

the

quotient will be the

mean of all

the

to be

placed in a

column of a

next to that which contains the

number of the

magnifiers.

By

the affiftance of the feaoral fcale,

we

obtain with eafe

7,

Small part of
II.

an inch.

This

fcale

is

{hewn

at Fig. 5, 6,

Plate

A, in which, the two each of ifofceles triangle

;

form an lines ca cb, with the fide ab, the fides is two inches long, and the

bafe one-tenth of an inch.

length,

The

longer fides

may be

of any given

and the bafe

longer lines

may

only of one-tenth of an inch. upon a be confidered as the line of lines

Ml

The kBor
will.

opened to one-tenth of an inch.

Hence, whatever number of

tranfverfe meafure equal parts ca cb are divided into, their

02
:be

Microscopical Essays*
fuch a part of one-tenth, as
if it
is

expreffed

by

their divifions.

Thus,

be divided into ten equal parts,

firft

this will divide

the

inch into one hundred equal parts; the

divifion next c will

it is

be equal to one hundredth part of an inch, becaufe

part of one-tenth of an inch.
If thefe lines

the tenth

are divided into

twenty equal parts, the inch will be by that means divided into

two hundred equal

parts.

Laflly,

if

ab ca are made three

inches long, and divided into one hundred equal parts,

we obtain

with eafe the cue thoufandth part.

folic!

The

fcale

is
;

reprefented as
fo that the light
is

at Fig. 6,

but as perforated at Fig. 5 and 7

palfes

through the aperture, when the feloral part

placed on

the ftage.

To
to the

ufe this fcale,

firfl,

fix

the micrometer, Fig.

;

8,

Plate

IX.

A,

body of the microfcope

then

fit

the fect-oral fcale, Fig. 7,

it's

in the ftage, and adjuft the microfcope to

diftance

proper focus or

from the .fcale, which is to be moved till the bafe appears in the middle of the field of view then bring the needle point g, Fig. 8, (by turning the fcrew L) to touch one of the lines c a ex;

actly at the point anfwering to

20 on the
8,
is

fecloral fcale.

The

index a of the micrometer, Fig.

to be
is

fet to

the

nrft.

divifion,

and

that

on the

dial plate to 20,

:

which

both the beginning and

end of it's

divifions

we

are then prepared to find the magnifying

in the

power of every magnifier

;are ufing.

compound microfcope which we

Example
going

every thing being prepared agreeable to the fore-

.directions,

fuppofe you are defirous of afcertaining the

lens

magnifying power of the

marked No. 4

turn the micrometer

fcrew, until the point of the needle has paffed over the magnified

image

Microscopical Essays.
image of the tenth part of one inch
;

63

then the divifion, where the

two

revolutions, and partsof a revolution, the fcrew has made, while the needle point traverfed the magnified image of the one-tenth of an inch fup.

indices remain, will

mew how many

pofe the refult to be twenty-fix revolutions of the fcrew, and fourteen parts of another revolution, this is equal to 26 multiplied
inch.

by

20,

added

to 14

that

is,

534 thoufandth

parts of an

The
fied

twenty-fix

di virions

found on the

{trait

fcale

of

the:

micrometer, while the point of the needle paffed over the magni-

image of one-tenth part of an inch, were multiplied by 20, C D, Fig. 8, is divided into 20 equaf parts this produced 520 then adding the fourteen parts of the
becaufe the circular plate
; ;

next revolution,

we

obtain the 534 thoufandth parts of an inclv

or 5 tenths and 34 hundredth parts of another tenth, which is the meafure of the magnified image of one-tenth of an inch,
at the aperture of the eye glaffes, or at their foci.

Now

if

we

fuppofe the focus of the two eye glaffes to be one inch, the double thereof
is

two

inches

or

if

we reckon

in

the thoufandth
the diflance of

part of an inch,

we have two

thoufand parts for

the eye from the needle point of the micrometer.

Again,
It

if

we

take the diftance of the image from the object, at the

inches, or fix thoufandths,

age

at fix

and add thereto two thoufand, double

glafs,

the

dill an ce

of the focus of the eye

we

ftiall

have eight

thoufand parts of an inch for the difiance of the eye from the obje6fc
;

and
the

as

from the proportion, page

glaffes

double the

we gather that, the image, we muft double the number 534 found;
5.5,.

upon

micrometer, which then makes 1068: then, by the

following analogy,

we

fhall

obtain the

number of times

the

microfcope

6^

Microscopical Essays,
;

micro fcope magnifies the diameter of the object

the diftance of the eye from the objea, fo

fay, as 240,
is

the diftance of the eye from the image of the object,

is

to

800,

1068, double the

meafure found on the micrometer, to 3563, or the number of By times the microfcope magnifies the diameter of the object.

working
with the
refult

in this

manner, the magnifying power of each lens ufed

compound microfcope, may be eafily found, though the will be different in different compound microfcopes, varySec.

ing according to the combination of the lenfes, their diftance

From the objecl and one another,

Having difcovered the magnifying power of the microfcope, with the different objea lenfes that are ufed therewith, our next fubjea is to find out the real fize of the objefts themfelves, and
their different parts
;

this is eafily

efeded, by finding

revolutions of the micrometer-fcrew anfwer to a

how many known meafure

;

on the ieBoral fcale, or other objea placed on the ftage from the number thus found, a table fhould be conftruaed, expreffmg
with that the value of the different revolutions of the micrometer objea lens, by which the primary number was obtained. Similar
tables muff

be conftruaed for each objea

the obferver
;

lens.

By a

fet

of tables

of

this kind,
is

may

readily find the meafure of

any

objea he

examining

for he has only to

traverfe over this objea,

the fcrew has

made
is

in

and obferve the look it's paffage, and then

to this

make number of

the needle point

revolutions
table

into his

for the real meafure

tions,

which correfponds

number of revolu-

which

the meafure required.

C H A

P.

Londof,

Tl.24

Microscopical Essays*

65

C
A

H A

P.

IIL

Description of the

most approved Microscopes,

and the Method of using them.

have the preceding chapter IN prehenfive view of the theory

I

endeavoured to give a comof the microfcope, and the

effecls

principles

on which the wonderful

of

this

inftrument de-

pend.

I (hall

now proceed

to

defcribe the various inftruments

themfelves, their apparatus, and the moil eafy and ready mode of applying them to ule fele&ing for defcription thofe, that from
;

fome peculiar advantage

tation of the authors

in their conftruclion, or

from the repu-

who have recommended and ufed them, are What is laid of thefe will, I hope, be in molt general ufe. fufficient to enable the reader to manage any other kind that may
fall

in hit

way.

Description

improved AND UNIVERSAL Lucernal Microscope, Fig. 1, Plate III.

of

Adams's

This microfcope was originally thought of, and in part executed by my father I have, however, fo improved and altered altogether a it, both in contagion and form, as to render it
;

different inftrument.

The

approbation

it

has received from the

as

moll experienced microfcopic obfervers,

1

well as

the great

demand

65

Microscopical Essays.
I

demand

have had for them, has

it

fully repaid

my

pains and ex

pences, in bringing

to

it's

prefent ftate of perfection.

As
by
the

the far greater part of the objects which furround us are

fufficiently tranfparent to

opake, and very few are

be examined

common

microfcopes, an inftrument that could be readily

applied to the examination of opake objects, has always been a

defideratum.

Even
fine

in the

examination of tranfparent objects,

loft,

many of the
as
it

and more curious portions are

and drowned

were

in the light

which mult be tranfmitted through them

while different parts of the fame object appear only as dark lines
or fpots, becaufe they are fo opake, as not to permit any light to
pafs through them.

Thefe

difficulties, as
;

well as

many more,

are obviated in the lucernal microfcope

jects,

by which, opake ob;

of various

fizes,

may be

feen with eafe and diftinctnefs

the beautiful colours with which moft of them are adorned, are

rendered more
tint

brilliant,

without changing in the

Ieaft

the real

of the colour.

The concave and convex

parts of an object:

retain alfo their proper form.

opake objects are applied to this inftrument, is another confiderable advantage, and almoft pecuas the texture and configuration of the more tender liar to itfelf
facility
all
;

The

with which

parts are often hurt

by previous

preparation, every
firft,

object

may

be examined by
if

this inftrument,

as opake,

and afterwards,

the texture will admit of it, as tranfparent.

The

lucernal microfcope does not in the leaft fatigue the eye

itfelf,

the object; appears like nature

giving eafe to the fight, and

pleafure

Microscopical Essays,
pleafure to the

67
this inflrument

mind

there

is alfo,

in the ufe
is

of

no occafion

to fhut that eye

which

not directed to the object.

further advantage peculiar to this microfcope

is,

that

by

it

the outlines of every object

may be

taken, even

by

thofe

who

are

not accuflomed to draw

receive great affiflance,
racy,

while thofe

who can draw

well, will

and execute

their

work with more accu-

and

in lefs time than they

it in.

to have performed

would otherwife have been able Mori of the defigns for this work were
;

taken with the lucernal microfcope

and, I hope, the accuracy

with which

they are executed,

will

be deemed a

fufficient
it

teflimony in favour of the inflrument.

will, I think, be

In this point of view,

found of great ufe to the anatomifl, the botanift, the entomologifl, &c. as it will enable them not only toinvefligate the object of their refearches, but to convey to others
accurate delineations of the fubjeft they wifli to defcribe.

By

the addition of a tin lanthorn to this apparatus, tranfparent

objects

may be thrown on a

fcreen,

and exhibited

at

one view to

a large company, as by the folar microfcope.

Tranfparent objects

may

be examined with
;

this

inflrument in

three or four different

modes

from a blaze of light almoft too

is

great for the eye to bear, to that which

perfectly eafy to

it.

When this

inflrument

is

fitted

up

in the bell

way, we generally
it.

fend a fmall double and Jingle microfcope with

Fig.

1,

Plate JEreprefents the

improved lucernal micro;

Scope, mounted 10 view opake objeds

I

ABCDE

is

a large

mahogany

68

Microscopical Essays,

mahogany pyramidical box, which forms the body of the micro*fcope it is fupported firmly on the brafs pillar F G, by means of
;

the focket

H, and
is
;

the curved piece I K.

MN

a
it

guide for the eye, in order to direcl

confifts

it

in the axis of

the lenfes
other,

of two brafs tubes, one Aiding within the

and a

vertical flat piece, at the top

of which

is

the hole for

is

the eye.

The
at

outer tube

is

feen at

M N,

the vertical piece

reprefented

LM.
it

The inner tube may be pulled out, or

to the focus of the glafles.

puttied in, to adjuft

The

vertical

piece may be railed or deprefled, that the hole, through which the object, is to be viewed, may coincide with the center of the
field

of view

it is

fixed

by a milled fcrew

at

M, which

could not

be {hewn in

this figure.

At N is a dove-tailed piece of brafs, made to receive the dove-tail N, by which it is affixed to the wooden at the end of the tubes may be removed from this box box ABCDE. The tubes

MN

occafionally, for the convenience of packing

it

up in a lefs compafs.

OP

a fmall tube which carries the magnifiers.

O one

of the magnifiers;

it is

fcrewed into the end of a tube,,

which Aides within the tube P; the tube P may be unfcrewed

occafionally from the

wooden body.

a long fquare bar, which paries through the Z, and carries the ftage or frame that holds the objects; fockets adjuft it this bar may be moved backward or forward, in order to

QRSTVX
Y

to the focus,

by means of the pinion which

is

at a.

Microscopical Essays,
be
is

69

a handle furniGied with an imiverfal joint, for

more con-

veniently turning the pinion.

nut, Fig. 2,

When
ftead.

the handle

is

removed, the

may be ufed in

it's

de
the

is

a brafs bar, to fupport the curved piece

KI, and keep

body h

AB
is

firm and fteady.

fg

the ftage for opake objecls

the focket

it

fits

upon the bar

to,

QRST
pinion a
:

by means of

i,

and

is

brought nearer
lens,

or removed further from, the magnifying

by turning the

the objecls are placed in the front fide of the ftage,

this

(which cannot be feen in

plates
;

figure)

between four fmall brafs

1.

the edges of two of thefe are feen at k

The two upper

is

pieces of brafs are

moveable

they are fixed to a plate, which

acled on

by a

fpiral fpring, that prefies

them down, and

confines

the Aider with the objecls; this plate, and the two upper pieces

f brafs, are

lifted

up by the fmall nut m.

is

At

the lower part of the ftage, there

a femicircular
light

lump of

glafs n,

which

is

defigned to receive the

from the lamp,.

Fig. 3,

and to

collect

and throw

it

on the concave mirror O,

from whence

it is

to

be reflected on the object.

The upper

part,

fgrs, of the opake ftage takes out, that the

ftage for tranfparent objects

may be

inferted in

it's

place,

Fig. 4, reprefents the ftage for tranfparent objeas

legs,

the two

5 and

6,

fit

into the top of the under part

;

rshi of the ftage

9 and 10 a

for

opake objeas

is

the part which confines or holds the

;

ftiders,

and through which they are to be moved

yo
brafs tube,

Microscopical Essays.
which contains the
lenfes for
is

condenfing the

light,

and

throwing

it

upon the

object; there

a fecond tube within that,

at different diftances

marked 9 and 10, which may be placed from the objecl; by the pin 1 1

jP

When

this ftage

is

ufed as a fingle microfcope, without any

reference to the lucernal, the magnifiers, or objecl; lenfes, are to

be fcrewed into the hole

12,

and to4>e adjufted to a proper focus

by the nut

13.

N. B. At the end A B of the wooden body, there is a Aider, which is reprefented as partly drawn out at A when quite taken out, three grooves will be perceived, one of which contains a
;

board that forms the end of the box, the next contains a frame
with a greyed
glafs,

the third, or that farther! from the

endAB,

two

large

convex

lenfes.

Of the Lamp.
Fig. 3, reprefents

one of Argand's lamps, which are the moft

fuitable for microfcopic purpofes,

on account of the

clearnefs,

the intenfity,

and the

fteadinefs of the light.

The

following ac-

count of the method of managing them, with other obfervations,

is

copied from an account given by Mr. Parker with thofe he

fells.

The
the
all

principle

on which the lamp

acls,

confifts in

difpofmg

wick

in thin parts, fo that the air

may come

into contact with

the burning fuel,

air

by which means, together with an

is

increafe

of the current of

occafioned by rarefaction in the glafs tube,

the whole of the fuel

converted into flame,

The

Microscopical Essays,
The

yi

wicks are circular, and, the more readily to regulate the

are raifed or deprefled at pleafure.

quantity of light, are fixed on a brafs collar with a wire handle,

by means of which they

To

fix

the wick on, a

wood

mandril

is

contrived,

which

is

tapered at one end, and has a groove turned at the other.

The wick has

a felvage at one end, which

is
;

to be put foremen;

on the mandril, and moved up

pufiied forward

to the groove

then putting the

is

groove into the collar of the wick-holder, the wick

eafily

upon

it.

The

wick-holder and wick being put quite

down in

their place,

the fpare part of the wick fhould, while dry, be fet alight, and
fulfered to

burn to the edge of the tubes

this will leave it

more

even than by cutting, and, being black by burning,

eafier lighted
off.
:

will be

much

for this reafon, the black fhould never

be quite cut

The lamp

fliould

be

filled

an hour or two before

oil

it is

wanted,

that the cotton

may

imbibe the

and draw the

better.

The lamps which have

direction for filling than to

a refervoir and valve, need no other

do

it

with a proper trimming pot,

;

carefully obfervkig

when they

are full

then pulling up the valve

by the

point, the refervoir, being turned with the other hand,

may be

replaced without fpilling a drop.

Thofe lamps which

be reclined on

fill

in the front like a bird-fountain,

fill,

muft

the back to

and

this

mould be done

gently,
that

72
that the
oil in
;

Microscopical Essays.
the burner

may

return into the

oil

body when fo placed

difappear
it's

and
only

filled

if,

move

the

by being too full, any lamp a little, and the

appears above the guard,

;

oil will

the lamp
level.

may

then be placed erect, and the

oil will

flow to

proper

The

oil

muff be of the fpermaceti - kind,

commonly
it's

called
pale-

chamber

oil,

which may generally be diftinguilhed by

nefs, tranfparency,

and

inoffenfive fcent; all thofe oils

offenfive fcent,

which are

of a red and brown colour, and of an

mould

-be

carefully avoided, as their glutinous parts clog the lamp,

oil

and

not being inflammable, will accumulate the impurities in fuch and remain in the form of a craft on the wick. Seal oil is nearly but being of a heavy fluggifh as pale and fweet as chamber oil
;

quality,

is

not proper for lamps with fine wicks.

the wick muft

Whenever bad
alfo
ticles in
it's

oil

has been ufed, on changing

after
it

it,

be changed, becaufe.

having imbibed the coarfe par-

capillary tubes,

will not

draw up the

fine oil.

To

obtain the greater! degree of light, the wick fhould be trimeven, the flame will then be completely equal.

med exaaiy
There

be a great advantage in keeping the lamp clean, the negle6t of cleanlinefs in efpecially the burner and air tubes every lamps is too common a candleftick is generally cleaned not to be is time it is ufed, fo fhould a lamp and if a candleftick
will
;
:

does not give light after the candle is exit does not haufted, fo a lamp fhould not be thought ill of, if often hapgive light when it wants oil or cotton - but this laft has
objetted to becaufe
it

pened, becaufe the deficiency

is lefs

vilible.

Microscopical Essays,
'

'

'

u* id

The

glafs tubes are belt cleaned

with a piece of wafh leather.

If a fountain-lamp

is left

partly filled with

oil,

it

may be
air

liable

to overflow
cold,

this

happens by the contraction of the

when

expanfion by the warmth of a room, the rays of the fun, or the heat of the lamp when re-lighted this accident

and

it's

may
oil

be

effectually prevented

by keeping the
air.

refervoir

filled,

the

not being fubjet to expanfion like

On this

account, thofe

with a
pofes.

common

refervoir are beft

adapted for microfcopic pur-

to examine
-

opake

objects with Microscope.

the

lucernal

The

microfcope

is

reprefented as mounted, and entirely ready

1,

for this purpofe, in Fig.

Plate III.

To render the. ufe

with as
this

of this inflrument eafy,

it

is
;

ufually
it

packed

many of

the parts together as poffible

is

occupies on

account rather more room, but

much

lefs

embarraffing to
it is

the obferver,

who

has only three parts to put on after

taken

out of its box, namely, the guide for the eye, the ftage, and the
tube with
it's

magnifier.

But
lift

to be

more

particular, take out the

wooden Aide A, then

out the cover and the grey glafs from their refpeclive grooves

under the Aide A.

Put the end
that
it

N of the guide for the eye L M N into

which
is

it's

place, fo

may

ftand in the pofition

reprefented in this figure.

Place

74

Microscopical Essays.
Place the focket, which
is

at the

bottom of the opake

ftage ?

on the bar
end

QXT,

fo that the

concave mirror o

may be

next the

DE

of the

wooden body.
in-

Screw the tubes P O into the end D E. The magnifier you tend to ufe is to be fere wed on the end o of thefe tubes.

The handle

G b,

or milled nut, Fig.

a.

2,

muft be placed on the

fquare end of the pinion

Place the lamp lighted before the glafs lump n, and

the'

objecl

you intend

to

examine between the fpring

is

plates of the ftage*

and the inftmment

ready for

ufe.

microfcopes, there are two circumftances which muft be or the particularly attended to; the modification of the light,

In

all

adjuftproper quantity to illuminate the objea fecondly, the ment of the inftrument to the focus of the glaffes and the eye of In the ufe of the lucernai microfcope there is a theobferver. which is, the regulation of the guide for the
;

third circumftance,
eye, each of

which

I {hall confider

by

itfeff.

lamp throw the light upon the objea. The flame of the of the glafs lump n, and is to be placed rather below the center inclined and the concave mirror o muft be fo as near it as poffible
1
.

To

and reflea it turned, as to receive the light from the glafs lump, mirror, thence upon the objea the beft fituation of the concave
;

i-.

..

Microscopical Essays,

itances,

and the flame of the lamp, depends on a combination of circumwhich a little practice will difcover.

the guide for the eye, or to place the center of the eye-piece L, fo that it may coincide with the focal point of
2.

To regulate

the lenfes, and the axis of vifion.

tubes

Lengthen and fhorten the

in the inner tube,
till

N
is

by drawing out or pufhing

and

raifmg or deprefling the eye-piece

lens (which

ML,

you

find the large

placed at the end

AB of the wooden body) filled by

an uniform
edge
;

field

for

till

of light, without any prifmatic colours round the this piece is properly fixed, the circle of light will

be very be kept

final 1,

and only occupy a part of the

at the center

lens the eye muft of the eye-piece L, during the whole of the
:

operation; which

may be

rendered fomewhat eafier to the obferver,

piece of white
it

on

the

firft

ufe of the inflrument, if he holds a

lens,

paper parallel to the large

nearer to them,
till

removing

it

from, or bringing
circle,

he

finds the place,

is

where a lucid
and moft

which
then
after

he

will perceive

on the paper,

brighter!

diftinct.,
;

to fix the center of the eye-piece to coincide with that fpot

-which a very

final 1

adjustment will

fet it perfectly

right

3.

To

adjuft the lenfes to their focal diflance.

This

is

effected

by turning
piece L.

the pinion
I

a,

the eye being at the fame time at the eye-

often place the grey glafs before the large lenfes,

while

am

regulating the guide for the eye, and adjusting for

the focal diftance.

If the obferver, in the procefs of his examination of an object,

advances rapidly from a (hallow to a deep magnifier, he will fave

himfelf fome labour by pulling out the internal tube at O,

The

^6

Microscopical Essays,
The upper
part f grs of the Rage,
is

to

be raifed or lowered

occasionally, in order to

make

the center of the objea coincide

with the center of the lens at O.

To

delineate objeas, the grey glafs rauft

;

large lenfes

the pidure of the objea will

be placed before the be formed on this glafs,

and the outline may be accurately taken, by going over the

piclure with a pencil.

The opake

part

may be

ufed in the day-time without a lamp,,

provided the large lenles at

AB

are fcreened

from the

light.

TO

USE THE

LUCERNAL MlCROSCOPE IN THE E X A M N AT 10 W OF TRANSPARENT OBJECTS.

I

The

microfcope

is

to remain as before

the upper part f g

of

tranfparenfc the opake ftage muft be removed, and the ftage for Fig. 9 end, the objeas, reprefented at Fig. 4, put in it's place ;

and

10, to

be next the lamp.

Place the greyed glafs in

it's

groove at the end

;

A B,

and the

objeas in the flider-holder at the front of the ftage which you will as ftrong a light as you are able on the objea,
eafily

then tranfmit

do by raifmg or lowering the lamp.

will

The objea
pinion
a.

be beautifully depiaed on the grey

glafs

it

muft be regulated to the focus of the magnifier, by turning the

Microscopical Essays.
The
the eye
object
;

yy

may be viewed either

with or without the guide for

a fmgle obferver will fee an object to the greateft advan-

tage by ufmg this guide, which

defcribed, page 75.
at

is to be adjufted as we have two or three wifh to examine the object the fame time, the guide for the eye mull be laid afide.

If

Take
if the

the large lens out of the groove,

glafs
;

and receive the image

is

on the grey

in this cafe, the guide for the eye

of no ufe

grey glafs

is

taken away, the image of the object

may be

received on a paper fcreen.

Take out
the object: to

the grey glafs, replace the large lenfes, and' ufe the
;

guide for the eye

it's

attend to the foregoing directions, and adjuft

proper focus.

You

will

then fee the object in a

blaze of light almoft too great for the eye, a circum (lance that
will

be found very ufeful in the examination of particular objects

the edges of the object in this

mode

will

be fomewhat coloured*,
oceafional purpofes,
it

but as

it is

only ufed in this

full light for

has been

thought better to leave this fmall imperfection, than

it,

by

remedying
fault
is

to facrifice greater advantages

the

more

fo,

as this

eafily corrected,

and a new and

interefting

view of the

object

is

obtained,

of light,

by turning the inftrument out of the direct rays and permitting them to pafs through only in an oblique
by which the upper
is

direction,

furface

is

in

fome degree

illumi-

nated,
It

and the object

feen partly as opake, partly as tranfparent.

has been already obferved, that the tranfparent objects might

be placed between the flider-holders of the flage for opake objects,

and then be examined

as if opake..

Some;

78

Microscopical Essays,
advantage

Some tranfparent objects appear to the greateft

the lens at

when

9 and 10
it

is

taken away;

as,
lefs

by giving too
{harp,

great a

quantity of light,

renders the edges

The

variety of views

which may be taken of every

will give

object,

by

means of the improved

lucernal microfcope, will be found to be

:

of great ufe to an accurate obferver

it

him an opporand
invefti-

tunity of correcting or confirming

his difcoveries,

gating thofe parts in one mode, which are invifible in another.

to throw the image

of transparent objects on a

Screen, as in the Solar Microscope.

It

has been long a microfcopical defideratum, to have an in-

flrument by which the image of tranfparent objects might be

thrown on a
this

fcreen, as

in

the
is

common

folar

microfcope

and
and

not only becaufe the fun

fo uncertain in this climate,

the ufe of the folar microfcope requires confinement in the fined: part of the day, when time feldom hangs heavy on the mind, but
as
it

alfo affords

an increafe of pleafure, by difplaying

it's

wonders

to feveral perfons at the fame inftant, without the leaft fatigue to

the eye.

This purpofe
parent lamps.
11

is

now
is

effectually anfwered,

by

affixing the tranf-

age of the lucernal to a lanthorn, with one of Argand's placed within the lanthorn, and the end
is

The lamp

9,

fcrewed into a female fcrew, which lanthorn the is rivetted in the Aiding part of the front of the magnifying lenfes are to be fcrewed into the hole reprefented at

10 of the tranfparent ftage

12; they are adjufted by turning the milled nut.

The

quantity

Microscopical Essays.
of light
is

jg
fliding-

to be regulated,

by

railing

and lowering the

it's

plate, or the lamp.

N. B. This

part, with

lanthorn and

lamp,

may be had

feparate

from the lucernal microfcope.

Apparatus which usually accompanies the improved Lucernal Microscope.

The
glafs,

ftage for

opake

objects,

with

it's

femicircular

Lump of

and concave mirror.

The

ftage for tranfparent objects,

ftage.

which

fits

on the upper part

of the foregoing

The
body
;

Aiding tube, to which the magnifiers are to be affixed

is

one end of thefe

inner tube.

to be fcrewed
is

on the end

of the wooden

the magnifier in ufe

to be fcrewed to the other

end of the

Eight magnifying lenfes

thefe are fo conftrucled, that they

may be combined

together,

and thus produce a very great variety

of magnifying powers.

A fifh-pan,

fuch as

is

reprefented at

I,

Plate IX,

A fteel wire L,

with a pair of nippers at one end,

A fmall cylinder of ivory A Aider ofbrafs

Aider, into

at the other.

N, containing a
fitted

flat glafs

Aider,

and a

brafs

which are

fome fmall concave

glafies,

A pair

So

Microscopical Essays.
pair of forceps.

Six large ivory Aiders, with tranfparent obje&s, and

ditto with ditto.

fix fmall

Fourteen wooden Aiders, with four opake objects in each Aider,

and two fpare

Aiders.

Some capillary tubes,

for viewing fmall animalcula.

The ufe and manner of ufmg

are delineated in Plate IX.

the articles of the apparatus will

figures

be more particularly explained when we defcribe the

which

Description of Cuff's double-constructed Microscope, represented at Fig. i, Plate VII. A.

This inftrument was
firft

defcribed by Mr. Baker, and recom-

mended by him.

It

was

alfo defcribed

by

my father in the fourth

edition of his Micrographia Illuftrata, page xix.

ABC
ed on

reprefents the

body of this microfcope

it

contains an
is

eye-glafs at A, a
at C.

broad lens at B, and a magnifier which

fcrew-

The body of the microfcope from which it may be removed

is

fupported by the arm

D E,

at pleafure.

The arm

DE

is

fixed

on the Aiding bar

it's

F,

and may be

raifed

or deprefied to any height within

limits.

The

Microscopical Essays.
The main pillar
the brafs foot
is

gj

ab

is

fixed in the

is

fcrewed to
all

box b e, and by means of the mahogany pedeftal x Y, in which

a drawer containing

the apparatus.

a milled-headed fcrew, to tighten the bar

F when

the ad-

juring fcrew c g

is

ufed.

pq

is

the ftage, or plate, which carries the objects

it

has a

hole at the center n.

G a concave mirror,
reflect

that

may be

turned in any dire&ion, to

the light of the candle, or the fey,

upon the object

To

use this Microscope.

the end c of the

Screw the magnifier you intend to ufe

body, place the flider-holder

to

in the hole n,

and the Aider with

;

the object between the plates of the flider-holder

fet

the upper
corref-

edge of the bar

DE

to coincide with the divifions

which

pond

to the magnifier

you have

in ufe,

and pinch the milled nut

the object,

now

reflect

a proper quantity of light

upon

by means
c g.

of the concave mirror G, and regulate the body exactly to the

eye and the focus of the
glafles,

by the adjufling fcrew

To

view opake

objects, take
flat glafs

away

the flider-holder P, and

place the object on a

under the center of the body, or

on one end of the jointed nippers o. Then fcrew the filver concave fpeculum to the end of the cylinder L, and Aide this cylinder on the lower part of the body, fo that the upper edge thereof
jmay coincide with the line which has the fame nlark with the

magnifier

82
magnifier that

Microscopical Essays.
is

then ufed

reflect the light

from the concave

it

mirror
flected

to the fiker fpeculum,

object..

from which

will again

be re-

on the

The

glafles are to

be adj lifted to their

focal -diftance as before directed.

List of the

Apparatus of Cuff's double-constructed Microscope.

to collect the rays of light

H a convex
L
lum

lens,

from the fun or a

candle, and condenfe them on the object.

cylindrical tube,

open

at

each

fide,

with a concave fpecu-

fere wed to the

lower end h.

the Aider-holder
is

it

confifts

of a cylindrical tube, in which

it is

an inner tube

forced upwards by a fpiral fpring,

is

ufed to

receive an ivory Aider K, which

to be Aid between the plates

and

i.

The
k
is

cylinder

fits

the hole

in the ftage

the hollow

part at

defigned to receive a glafs tube N.

is

a brafs cone, to be put under the

bottom of the cylinder

P, to intercept occafionally

fome of the rays of light.

S a box containing a concave and a flat glafs, between which a fmall living infect may be confined it is to be placed over the
;

hole n.

flat glafs,

to lay

any occafional objeel upon

there

is

alfo

a concave one

for fluids.

Microscopical Essays.

a long

fteel wire,

with a

fraall

pair of pliers at one end, and

a point

at the other, defigned to flick or

hold objets
;

it flips

backwards and forwards

the hole of the Rage.

in the fhort tube

the pin

fits

into

W
Z

little

round ivory box, to hold a fupply of talc and rings

for the Aiders,

a hair brufli, to wipe any duft off the glades, or to take up

liquid.

by the other end a drop of any

V
fteel

a fmall ivory cylinder, that

wire

fits

on the pointed end of the

Light-coloured

it is

defigned for opake objects.

fide,

ones are to be fluck upon the dark

and

vice verfa.

common

magnifying

glafs,

for

any occafional purpofe.

a nfh-pan, whereon to fallen a fmall fim, to view the

:

cir-

culation of the blood

the

tail is

to be fpread acrofs the oblong

hole at the fmall end, and tied

thereto
;

the

knob

is

to

by means of a ribband fixed be fhoved through the flit made in the

faft,

ftage, that the tail

may be brought under

the magnifier.

The Description and Use

improved double and single Microscope, representeb Fig. l, Plate IV.

of Adams's
It is

compound mierofcope, which is at prefent in moll general ufe. The improvements, though few in number, are The field of view is confiderably effential to the ufe thereof. The ftage and the mirrors larger than in the former microfcope.
the

are

8^
are-

Microscopical Essays.
both moveable,
fo that their refpe&ive diftances
alfo

may be eafily
by the mirror
one
hngle
as

varied.

There

is

condenfmg

glafs
it is

to the ftage, for in-

creating the denfity of the light,

when

re hefted

from a candle or lamp.

plane,

It is

furnifhed with two mirrors,

and the other concave, and may be ufed

microfcope.

A B,

Fig.

Plate IV. reprefents the

body of the microfcope,

;

containing a double eye glafs, and a

as fcrewed to the

body glafs it is here (hewn arm C D, from whence it may be occafionally

as a fingle

removed, either for the convenience of packing, or when the

inftrument
is

to

be ufed

microfcope*

The eye glafles and

which
tube,
fits

the

body
is

glafles are

contained in a tube

into the exterior tube

AB

when

the microfcope

in ufe, the

by pulling out a little this magnifying power of each

lens

is

increafed.,

The body
this

AB

of the microfcope

is

fupported by the arm

CD,

arm is fixed to the main pillar C F, which is fcrewed firmly to the mahogany pedeftal G H there is a drawer to this pedeftal, which holds the apparatus.
;

NIS

is

the plate or ftage which carries the Aider-holder

K L
in

this ftage is

moved up
;

or

down
is

the pillar

C F, by
that

turning the

milled nut

this

nut

fixed to a pinion,
pillar.

works

toothed rack cut on one fide of the

pinion, the ftage

By

means of

this,

may be

gradually raifed or depreffed, and the

object adjufted to the focus of the different lenfes.

Microscopical Essays,

KL

is

the Aider-holder, which

fits

into a hole that

is

in

/he

middle of the ftage

NIS

it is

ufed to confine and guide either

the motion of the Aiders which contain the objects, or the glafs
tubes that are defigned to confine fmall
culation of the blood.
fi

flies,

for viewing the cir-

The

Aiders are to be pafled between the

two upper

plates, the tubes

through the bent plates.

is

a brafs tube, to the upper part of which

;

is

fixed the con-

denfing lens before fpoken of

Aider-holder

it

fits

into the

under part of the

and may be
it's

fet at different diftances

object, according to

diftance

from the from the mirror or the candle,

in Fig. 2, Plate IV.

This tube

is

feen further

drawn out

is

the frame which holds the two refiecling mirrors, one of

is

whieh

plane, the other concave.

Thefe mirrors may be moved

properly,

in various directions, in order to refiecl the light

by

means of the

pivots

on which they move,

in the femicircle

Q
the

S R, and the motion of the

femicircle itfelf

on the pin S
;

concave mirror generally anfwers beft

in the day-time
lens,

the plane

mirror combines better with the condenfing

candle.

and a lamp or

At

there

is

a focket for receiving the pin

of the arm

Q,

Plate IX. to which the concave fpeculum, for refiecling light

objecls, is fixed..

on opake
At S
is

a hole and Ait for receiving either the nippers

fiffi-pan I
;

IX. or the

when

Plate } thefe are ufed, the Aider-holder mufi

be removed.

a hole to receive the pin of the convex lens

M,

Plate IX.

86

Microscopical Essays.
To USE THE IMPROVED DOUBLE MlCROSCOPE.

Take

the microfcope out of the box.

Screw the body

into the

round end of the upper part of the arm

C D.

Place the brafs Aiders, which contain the magnifiers, into the
dove-tailed
flit

which is on the under

1,

fide
it

of the aforefaid arm, as

feen at E, Fig.
nifier

Plate IV.
is

and Aide

forwards, until the mag:

you mean

to ufe

under the center of the body

is

oppoiite

to each magnifier in this Aide there

tailed part of the

a notch, and in the dovefalls

arm C D

there

is

a fpring, which

into the

above-mentioned notch, and thus makes each magnifier coincide

with the center of the body.

Pafs the ivory Aider

you intend

to

ufe between the

refleft

upper

plates of the Aider-holder

K L,

and then

as ftrong a light
;

as you can on .the object, by means of one of the mirrors

this, adjuft

after

the objeel to the focus of the magnifier and your eye,

the milled fcrew

by turning
objeel,

the motion of this raifes

and

depreAes the Aage

N I S.

The

degree of light necefiary for each

in -the

and the accuracy required

adjuftment of the lens

eafily

to

their

proper focal difiance from the objeel, will be

attained

by a

little

practice.

When

opake objects are to be examined, remove the Aider-

holder, and place the objeel:

on a Aat
fit

glafs,

or

fix it to

the nippers

L, Plate IX. the pin of thefc

into

the hole

on the Aage;

H fcrew the concave fpeculum

Plate IX. into the

arm Q,

Plate

Microscopical Essays.
IX. and thenpafs the pin of this arm through the focket D, Fig.

87
1,

PL IV. the

light

is

now

to be reflected

the filver fpeculum, and from this

from the concave mirror to down on the object. No ex aft

on the object
all
;

rule can be given for reflecting the light

we muft
focus

therefore refer the reader to

the mother of

aptnefs, practice.
fuit the

The fpeculum muft be moved

lower or higher, to

of the different magnifiers, and the nature of the objecl.

ufmg of this inwith this difference only, microscope, ftrument as a single that the body A B is then removed, and the eye is applied to the upper furface of the arm C D, exactly over the magnifiers.

The preceding

directions apply equally to the

A List
The

of the Apparatus of the improved Microscope,

Compound

Aider, with the magnifiers.

The body of the

microfcope,

The The

flider-holder.

tube, with the condenfing lens 3

The
The

pin and arm for the filver fpeculum.

filver

fpeculum.

A brafs box for the filver fpeculum,

A brafs

88

Microscopical Essays.

brafs

cone to place under the

flider-holder.

The

jointed nippers.

A cylinder of ivory,
Six ivory Aiders,

to

fix

on the pointed end of the

filled

nippers.

five

of which are

with objects.

A magnifier for
A
fifh

the hand.

pan.

A round brafs box,

An

with glafs ends, for confining living objects.

ivory box, to hold fpare rings and talc for the Aiders.

A round

flat glafs,

fitted to the

hole in the ftage.

A
into

concave

ditto.

A Aider of brafs,
which are

containing a

flat glafs Aider,

and a brafs Aider,

fitted fmall

concave

glafles.

Some

glafs tubes.

A fmall

pair of forceps.

A flip

or two of flat glafs.

A fmall brufli,

or hair pencil

The

Microscopical Essays.
The
life
it

gg

of each
to
life,

article

of the apparatus, and the method of

latter

applying
chapter.

will

be defcribed in the

end of

this

Of the improved Compound Microscope, represented

at
Fig. 2, Plate IV.

The
fcope,

advantages of
oonfifts, firft,

body, the

flage,

compound micromotion which may be given to the and the mirrors, by means of the joint c d,
this

over the preceding

in the

which has both a

micro fcope
fituation,

vertical

and horizontal motion

to the eafe

fo that the

may be

placed either in an horizontal or inclined

and thus be adapted

is

of the obferver, and

mirror
a

be ufed when he
taken
off,

fitting

down.

If the
in

OOR
line

is

the

light

will

be conveyed

direct,

to

the object, without any reflection.

Secondly, that the body

may
on a

be moved over any part of the

ftage,

and thus over the

object.

The arm which

central pin,

carries the
alfo

body, moves to the right or

left

and may

be moved backwards or forwards by the

flat

milled nut b.

Thirdly, the concave and

1.

mirrors are

much

larger than thofe of Fig.

In every other refpecf, the micro-

fcope

is

fimilar to the foregoing,

and may be managed by the

fimilar letters are affixed

defcription thereof ; for

to the fame parts.

which purpofe,

Description of Culpeper's, or the three-pillared Microscope, Fig. 3, Plate IV.

This inftrumem
is

recommended by

it's

fimplicity

and cheapjeel

nefs

it is

e a lily

managed, and gives a pleating view of an ob-

"
.

9
jett.

Microscopical Essays.
It is true, it is

precluded by

it's

form from fome of the

advantages of the two foregoing inftruments, becaufe both the

flage

and the mirror are confined.

of a large exterior body
are.,

This microfcope
fupported on

confifts

AB CD,
that are

three fmall fc roles, which

is

fixed to the ftage

fcroles,
is

the flage

fupported by three larger

fcrewed to the mahogany pedefial

the pedefial
fitted to a

G H.

There

a drawer in

which holds the apparatus.

focket in the center of the pedefial.

The concave mirror is The lower part

M C D of the body forms an exterior tube, into which the upper part of the body A B L M Aides, and may be moved up or
L
down,
fo as to bring the magnifiers,

which are fcrewed on

at

N,

nearer to, or further

from the

object.

TO USE CuLPEPERS MlCROSCGPE.

Screw one of the buttons which contains a magnifying lens, to place the Aider, with the objecls, bethe end N .of the body tween the plates of the Aider-holder. Then, to attain diftinci
;

and a pleafing view of the objeB, adjuft the body to the focus of the lens you are ufing, by moving the upper part gently up and down, and regulate the light by the concave mirror.
vifion,

For opake obje&s, two additional pieces muff be ufed the firft Plate IX. which is, a cylindrical tube of brafs, reprefented at X,
;

fits

on the

cylindrical part at

of the body

the fecond piece

is

the concave fpeculum

H, Plate IX.
:

this is to

be fcrewed to the

lower end of the aforefaid tube

fhould be

the upper edge of this tube

made
a

to coincide with the line,

which has the fame

number

Microscopical Essays/
number
if

r|t

affixed to

it,

as to the magnifier

you are ufmg

ex. gr.

you are making ufe of the magnifier marked

5, flide the

tube

to the circular line

on the tube N,

that

is

marked

alfo with

No.

5.

The
ftage in

Aider-holder
objects,

mould be removed when you

and a plane
glafs fhould
;

are going to

view opake
it's

be placed on the

(lead to

receive the object

or

it
fits

may be

placed in

the nippers L, Plate IX. the pin of

which

into the hole in

the

ft age.

List of the Apparatus to Culpeper's Microscope.

Five magnifiers, each
fitted in

a brafs button

one of thefe

is

feen at B, Plate IX.

Six ivory Aiders,

five

of them with objects.

A brafs tube X,

Plate IX. to hold the concave fpeculum.

The concave fpeculum

in a brafs box.

A A

fifii-pan.

fet

of

glafs .tubes.

A flat glafs

fitted to the ftage.

A concave glafs fitted to the

ftage,

A pair

92

Microscopical Essays.

pair of forceps.

A fteel wire,
the other..

with a pair of nippers at one end, and a point

ate

A frhall

ivory cylinder, to

fit

on the pointed end of the afore-

faid nippers..

A convex lens,

moveable
fits

in a brafs femicirele

this is affixed to*

a long brafs pin, which

into a hole

on

the ftage;

If the reader wants a

articles

more

particular defcription of any of the

will find
it

of this apparatus* he

at trie latter

end of

this;

chapter.

Description- of

WHICH

IS

the improved Solar Microscope,,. CONSTRUCTED TO EXHIBIT TRANSPARENT ANDi

Fig.
i,

opake Objects,
The
folar

Plate V.

microfcope

is

generally fuppofed to afford the moll-

entertainment, on account of the wonderful extent of it's magnifying power, and the eafe with which feveral perfons may view

each fmgle object at the fame time. The ufe of it was, however;, About the confined for many years only to tranfparent objects.
year 1774, Mr. B> Martin fo far improved this inftrument, a&toh render it applicable to opake, as well as to tranfparent objects,
exhibiting the magnified image of either kind on a large fcreen. Speaking of it himfelf, he fays, "With this inftrument all opake
objects,

maybe

whether of the animal, vegetable, or mineral kingdom, exhibited in great perfection, in all their native beauty;

Mi croscopigal Essays.
the Hglits and {hades, the prominencies and cavities, and
varieties
all

93
the

of different hues, of the

folar rays

tints,

and

colours, heightened
5

by the

reflection

condenfed upon them.'

Tranfparent

objects are alfo

fhewn with greater perfection than

in the

common

folar microfcope.

Fig.

i,

Plate

V.

reprefents

the

folar

opake

microfcope,

mounted
Fig. 2,

for exhibiting

opake

objects.

is

the fingle tooth

and pinion microfcope, which

;

is

mfed for fhewing tranfparent objects

the cylindrical tube

Fig.
1.

Y there-

of being made to

fit

into the tube

F E,

Fig. 3, the Aider

which contains the magnifiers

it

fits

into a

dove-tail

which

is

at the

upper part of the microfcope,

Fig. 2.

ABCDEF,
fcope
is
;

Fig.

1,

reprefents the

body of the

folar micro-

one part thereof,

A B CD,
Y

is

conical, the other,

cylindrical.

The

cylindrical part receives the tube

CDEF, G of the
2.

opake box, or the tube

of the fingle microfcope, Fig.

At

the large end

AB

of the conical part, there

is

a lens to re-

ceive the rays from the mirror, and refract

them towards

the

box

HIKE.

NOP
plate
folar rays

is

a brafs frame, which

in
this-

is

fixed to the

moveable circular

abc

frame there

is

a plane mirror, to reflect the

lens.

on the afore-mentioned

This mirror

may be moved
light,
:

into the moft convenient pofitiofi

for reflecting the

:

..

by means of the nuts ;|#

'
,

and

R.

...

94

Microscopical Essays.
the nut

By

it

may be moved from

eaft

to well;

it

may be

elevated or deprefled by the nut R.

e,

two fcrews

to faften the

microfcope to a window-mutter.

The box

for

opake objects

is

reprefented at

HIKL
it

it

con-

tains a plane mirror

M,

for reflecting the light that

receives
it
;

from the large

is

lens to the object,

and thereby illuminating

it

a fcrew to adjuft this mirror, or place

at a

proper angle for

reflecting the light.

VX
rior

two tubes of brafs, one Aiding within the

other, the exte:

one in the box

is

HIKL;

thele carry the magnifying lenfes

the interior tube

fometimes taken out, and the exterior one

Part of this tube

is

then ufed by
within the

itfelf.

may

be feen in the plate

box

HIKL.
a brafs plate, the

At

H there
The

is

back part of which

is

is

fixed to

the hollow tube h, in which there

a fpiral wire, which keeps

the plate always bearing againft the fide

H of the brafs box H

this
is

KL.
plate

Aiders,
fide

with the opake objects, pafs between

of the box
;

and the

to put
g.

them

there, the plate

to

be drawn back by means of the nut

i kt

a door to

one

fide

of the opake box.

The

foregoing pieces confiitute the feveral parts neceflary for

I

viewing opake objects.

microfcope, which
to
is

mail

now proceed

to defcribe the Angle

:

ufed for tranfparent objects

but in order

examine

thefe, the

box

HIKL rauft be

firft

removed, and in
its

Microscopical Essays.
it's

95

place
are

we

we muft now going

infert the

tube

of the fingle microfcope that

to defcribe*

Fig. 2, Plate V. reprefents a large tooth

fcope

at

and pinion microare two thin microfcope, this of body m, within the
be feparated,
;

plates, that are to

in

order to

let

the ivory fliders

a fpiral fpring,

pafs between

them

they are prefled together

plate,

by

which bears up the under

one.

and forces

it

againft the

upper

The
hole n
;

Aider, Fig. 3, that contains the magnifiers,

fits

into the
objecl,

any of the magnifiers may be placed before the

the aforefaid Aider
P,'
:

by moving
which
is

when

the magnifier
into
3.

is

at the cen-

ter of the hole

a fmall fpring

falls

one of the notches

on the

fide

of the Aider, Fig.

Under the plate m are placed two lenfes, for enlarging the field of view on the fcreen the fmaller of the two is fixed on a piece
:

of brafs, and

is

neareft the plate

this

is

to be taken out,

when

the magnifiers, No. 4, 5,

lens, Fig. 4,
is

or
is

6, are ufed, or

when

the megalafcope
1,

ufed; but

to be replaced for

No.

2, 3.

This microfcope
nut O.

is

adjufted to the focus,

by turning the milled

To
Make

use the Solar Microscope.

larger than

a round hole in the window- Aiutter, a

little

the circle

abc;

pafs the mirror

G NP
;

through

this hole,

and

apply the fquare plate to the Aiutter

then mark with a pencil

Microscopical Essays.
the places which correfpond to the

two holes through which the

let

fcrew
at the

is

to pals

take

away

the microfcope, and bore two holes the milled fcrews

marked

places, fufficiently large to

pafs

through them.

Thefe fcrews are to pafs from the outfide of the mutter, to go through it, and being then fcrewed into their refpeclive holes in
the i'quare plate,

they

will,

when fcrewed home, hold

it

faff

again/i the iniide of the fhutter,

and thus fupport the microfcope.

the circle a be,

Screw the conical tube

Aide the tube

A BCD
mean to

to

and then

of the opake box

into the cylindrical part

;

CD
they

E F of the

body; if opake objects are to be examined

but

if

be tranfparent objects you

within the tube

fhew, then place the tube

C D E F.

The room is to be darkened as much as poflible, that no light may enter but what paries through the body of the microfcope
for,

on

this

circumflance, together with the brightnefs of the fun-

mine, the perfection and difunctxiefs of the image in a great meafure depend.

I fhall firft

confider the microfcope

l.

as

going to be used for

to receive the

opake objects,
folar rays,
firft,

Adjufl the mirror

N O P, fo as
;

by means of the two

finger fcrews or nuts,

O,

the

or depreffes
light

O, turns the mirror to the right or left this you are to do till you have it
:

the fecond, R, raifes

reflected the fun's

through the lens

at

A B,

ftrongly

upon afcreen of white pawill find

it

per, placed at

fome diftance from the window, and formed thereon

light.

a round fpot of

An unexperienced obferver

more

conve-

Microscopical Essays,
convenient to obtain the
light,

97

on
*

either

by forming this fpot before he puts the opake box, or the tooth and pinion microfcope.
in the
;

Now

put

opake box, and place the

i

objeel:

between the
till

plates at

open the door

k,

and adjuft the mirror M,

you by

have illuminated the object ftrongly.

the fcrew S,

If you cannot effecl this

you muft move

latter

the fcrews O, R, in order to get the

light reflected ftrongly

from the mirror

N O P,

oiithe mirror
objeel:.

M,

without which the

cannot illuminate the

The
by

objeel;

being ftrongly illuminated, fhut the door

i k,

and

a diftincl view of the objeel will foon be obtained on your fcreen,

a dj lifting the tubes

V X,

which

is

effected

by moving them

backwards or forwards,

A
it

round fpot of

light

Cannot always be procured in northern

;

latitudes, the altitude

of the fun being often too low

is

neither'can

be obtained when the fun

directly perpendicular to the front

of the room.

As

the fun

is

continually changing
full

it's

place,

it

will

be neceftary,

in order to keep his rays

upon the

objeel, to

keep them con-

tinually dire'&ed through the axis of the inftrument,

by the two

fcrews

Q and R.
tranfparent objecls,

To view
the tube

remove the opake box, and

it's

infert

of Fig.
it's

2,

Plate V. in

place

put the flider, Fig. 3,

Plate V. into

place at n, and the Aider, with the objects be-

tween the
direcled,
,
,

plates, at

then adjuft the mirror

N O P,
may

as before

by

the fcrews Q, R, fo that the light

pafs through

***''

the

g$
the object
;

Microscopical Essays.
regulate the focus of the magnifier

by the fcrew CX
fifth.

The moft The

feet
is

pleafing magnifiers in ufe are the fourth and

fize

of the object

may be

increafed or diminifhed,
:

by

altering the diftance of the fcreen

from the mierofcope

five or fix

a convenient diftance.

To EXAMINE TRANSPARENT OBJECTS

or to render the inftrument what
take out the Aider, Fig. 3, from
is
it's

OF A

LARGER

SIZE,

ufuaily called a megalafcope,

place at n, and fcrew the but-

ton, Fig. 4, into the hole at P, Fig. 2,

and remove the

light

glafs

which

is

under the plate

at

m, and regulate the

and focus

agreeable to the foregoing directions.

N. B. At the end of the tube

combuftible or fufible fubftance

G
;

there

is

a. lens for

increafing

the denfity of the rays, for the purpofe of burning or melting

this

any
iris

lens

muft be removed

moft
light

cafes, left the objects

is

fhould be burnt.
this

The

intenfity

of the

alfo varied

by moving

tube backwards or forwards.

Apparatus
The

of the opake

Solar Microscope*,

large fquare plate

and mirror.

The body of the

mierofcope.

The opake box and The

it's

tube.

tooth and pinion mierofcope.

The

Microscopical
The
Aider with the magnifiers.

-Essays.

99

The

megalafcope magnifier.

The two
Some

fcrews

Q and R.

ivory Aiders.

Some

Aiders with

opake

objects,

brafs frame, with a

bottom of foft deal to

ftick

any object on.

A brafs

cylinder K, Plate IX. for confining opake objects.

Description

of

the

common

Solar

Microscope,

Fig. 4,

Plate VI.

The foregoing
microfcope
;

defcription will, in a great part, anfwer for this

I

once intended to have made only fome general references to the former, in order to avoid that prolixity which muft ever attend the detail of defcription but when I confidered,

and

that one of thefe inftruments might be purchafed

by thofe who
ap-

would probably never fee the other; and that a fmall difference
in conftru&ion

would embarrafs the young

practitioner,

it

peared to

me more

eligible to give a defcription of the

it

common

folar at full length, than to curtail

through an affectation of

brevity.

This inftrument

is

reprefented in Plate VI. at the Figures 4,

&

>

7>

8.

N. 2

AB

ioo

Microscopical Essays.
Fig. 4, reprefents the

A B C D,
fiding of

body of

the microfcope, con-

two

brafs tubes.

EF

is

the top of the inner moveable

tube

the end e f of the fingle tooth and pinion microfcope, Fig.

g, fcrews into the

top of this inner tube; at the end

is

AB

of the

external tube there

the mirror

a lens, to receive the light of the fun from,

K L,

and

to collecl:

and condenfe

it

on. the object

the

end

fcrews into the circular plate

GHL
;

L, a long frame fixed to the moveable circular plate

is

im

this frame there

a plane mirror

to

reflect

the rays

of the-

fun on the lens at AB'.

An endlefs worm
the nut

or fcrew, which
in a fmall

is

cut on the lower part o

is

M, works
the nut

wheel which

fixed to the frame

is

K L,
down

fo
:

that by turning the nut, the frame

KL

moved up
left.

or

moves the mirror

to the right or

0,P, two fcrews

fn utter.

to faften. the fquare plate to the

window-

Fig. 5, the fingle

microfcope; e f the end which fcrews on to

;

the upper part

tailed
flit

of the internal tube of the body

q the dove-

for receiving the Aider, Fig, 8.

g, the

hole in which the megalafcope magnifier,. Fig. 6,

8,
is

is

to

be fcrewed, when the Aider, Fig.

removed.

At h
placed
;

are the

moveable

plates,

between which the Aiders are

at Fig.
-

under the lowermoft of thefe the lens reprefented

is-

Microscopical Essays.
7
is

101

to

be placed, when the magnifiers, No.

1, 2, 3,

and

4,

are to

be ufed.

e k

is

final!

piece of rack work, which

that
is

is

moved backwards
end of the
the objects are

and forwards by the pinion

milled nut b
:

fixed to the lower

this rack,

by

the-

gradual motion of

adj lifted to the foci of the different lenfes.

Fig. 8

is

a brafs Aider, with four or fix lenfes or magnifying

to be inferted into the hole at q
;

glades
nifiers

it is

either
it

of the magone way or

center of
is

may be
:

placed before the objecl,

by Hiding
glafs
is

the other

you may perceive when the

of the Aider oppofite to each

in the

the eye hole by a fmall fpring falling into a notch which

made

on the

fide

lens.

To

use the Solar. Microscope.

Fallen the fquare plate againfl the infide of a window-mutter,.

By the two fcrews O, P, which. are to go from the out: fide o the window-lhutter through it, and then be fcrewed into their
refpective holes in the fquare plates

GH

I.

The

mirror

is

to-be
for

on the

outride of the fimtter, pafling through a hole

made

that purpofe.

Darken the room

then place a fcreen at a convenient diftance

farther
it is

from the window, the

from

it

the larger

is

the image
the fun's

now move
rays

the mirror

KL

by the two nuts M, N,

till

come through
it's
f

the inftrument in an horizontal direction to

;

the fcreen, forming a round fpot thereon

Fig. 5,; into
'

fcrew the microfcope,

lens,
:
.

place
v'
*

EF;

put the Aider, with the

:

Fig. 8,
in-

:J

102
in
it's

Microscopical Essays.
proper fituation, and the
object, flider

between

trie

plates at

adjuft the object to the focus of the

b,
till

magnifying lens by the

the object

fcrew

the object appears diflinct and clear on the fcreen. the internal tube of the body,

By moving
fo as to

may be

placed at different diftances from the lens which

is fixed at A B, be fuffkiently illuminated, and yet not fcorched by the

lolar rays.

Apparatus belonging to the common Solar Microscope.

Square plate and mirror.

The
"

body, confiding of two tubes, one within the other.

The

fingle microfcope.

The megalafcope
The

lens, Fig. 6.

flider, Fig. 8,

with

fix lenfes.

The two

fcrews O, P.

Six ivory Aiders and a talc box.

Some

glafs tubes.

A flider,
brafs flider
glafles,

or brafs cafe, containing a plane piece of glafs, and a

with holes, into which are cemented fmall concave

defigned for confining fmall infects between the plane and

concave

Microscopical Essays.
concave
glafs,

1C3

which are thus preferved from being crufhed, and prevented from wandering out of the iield of view.
The.

Screw Barrel,
Microscope,

or
Fig.
1

Wilson's
and
2,

single
II.

Pocket

Plate

B.

This microfcope of Mr. Wiifon's

is

an invention of many years

till

Handing, and was in fome meafure laid afide,

introduced the
foiar

Dr. Lieberkuhn
it,

apparatus, to which he applied

there

being no other inftrument at that time which would anfvver his

purpofe

fo well

fmce which time

it

has been revived, and

much

efteemed, though very troublefome in

many

cafes.

The body
and
is

of the microfcope
filver,

is

reprefented

by AB,

Fig. 1,

made
is

either of

brafs, or ivory.

C C

a long fine-threaded male fcrew that turns into the

body of the microfcope.

D, a convex
be placed,
as

glafs at the

end of the

faid fcrew,

on which may

occafion requires, one of the two concave pieces of

thin brafs, with holes of different diameters in the center of them, to cover the faid glafs,

and thereby diminifh the aperture when

the greater! magnifiers are ufed.

E, three thin plates of brafs within the body of the microfcope,

one whereof

is

bent femicircularly in the middle, fo as to forms

for the reception of a tube of glafs.

an arched cavity

F,.

a o4
F, a piece of
;plate,

Microscopical Essays.
wood
or brafs, arched in the

manner of the

fai<t

and fattened

thereto.

G, the other end of the microfcope, where a hollow female

fcrew
is

adapted to receive the different magnifiers.

fpring of fleel between the faid end

H, a
.plates

fpiral

and the

of brafs E, intended to keep the plates in a due pofition,

.and .counteract againft the long fcrew C.

I,

a fmall turned handle, for the better holding the

fere ws

infi

rumen t,

which

on and

off at pleafure.

To
fix

this

microfcope belong feven different magnifying

fet

glaffes,

of which are

either in filver, brafs, or ivory, as in

l,

the

figure

K, and are marked

2, 3, 4, 5,

6:
is

obferve, the loweft

numbers are the

fet in the

greateft magnifiers.
little

the feventh magnifier,

manner of a

barrel, to be held in the hand for

viewing any larger object

is

flat flip
it,

of ivory, called a Aider, with four round holes

talcs.

through

wherein to place objects between two mufcovy

this microfcope,'

fold with Six fuch ivory Aiders, and one of brafs, are ufually with objects placed in them, and others

fome

empty, for viewing any thing that may to make a large colkaion of objefts,
defines.

offer

but whoever pleafes

as

may have

many

as

he

There

is

figure, alfo a brafs Aider, not exprefled in the

it

to confine any fmall objed, that

may be viewed without crufh-

ing or del troy ing

it.

N fs

Microscopical Essays,

105

a pair of forceps, or pliers, for the taking up of infects or other objects, and adjufting them in the glades.
is

O, a

little

hair

brum

or pencil,

wherewith to take up and

examine a fmall drop of liquid.

is

a tube

of

glafs

to confine

living objecls, fuch as frogs,

fifties,

&c. in order to difcover the circulation of the blood.

When
which the

you would view an

faid object:
is

object, thruft the ivory Aider, in

placed, between the

two

flat

brafs plates,

obferving always to put that fide of the Aider where the brafs
rings are Far theft
glafs

from the eye

then fcrew in the magnifying

you intend
it

to ufe at the

end of the inftrument G, and look-

ing through
object
is

againft the light, turn the long fcrew

CC

till

your

by

it's

brought to the true focal diftance, which you appearing perfectly clear and diftin6L

will

know

The way of examining any

firft,

object accurately,
will ftiew the

is

to look at
at

it,

through a magnifier that

whole

once,

and afterwards to infpect the one of the greateft magnifiers

of the whole, and
fiers
all it's

feveral parts
;

more

particularly with

for thus
:

parts

you will gain a true idea and though the greateft magniat once,

can

mew

but a minute portion of any object

flea,

fuch

as the

claw of a

the horn of a loufe, or the like,

yet

by

gently moving the Aider that contains your object, the eye will gradually fee the whole and if any part mould be out of the focal diftance, the fcrew C C will eafily bring it to the true focus.
;

As

Microscopical Essays.
As
objects

muff be brought very near the glades when the

greatefl magnifiers are ufed, be particularly careful not to fcratch

them, by rubbing the

out.
chicf,

flider againft

them

as

you move

it

in

or

few turns of the fcrew

it

CC

will eafily prevent this mif-

by giving

room enough.

Description of a Scrole for fixing Wilson's Pocket Microscope, and reflecting Light to it by a Mirror.

ABC,

Fig. 2,

is

a brafs fcrole, which, for the better conveis

niency of carriage,

fo

ordered as to take into three parts, and

it

put into the drawer upon which

ror

Rands, with

it's

reflecting mir-

and Wilfon's pocket microfcope.

top part of the fcrole
;

The
focket.
at

is

taken off at B, by unfcrewing half

it

a turn of the fcrew

then

lift

up, and

it

comes out of the

unfcrews

The lower

part unfcrews at C, and the bafe

E.

The

mirror

lifts

out at F, which, with the fcrole,

lie in

one

partition of the box.

To

apply

this fcrole to ufe, fix the

the top thereof

by the fcrew A,

as

body of the microfcope to in Fig. 2, by fcrewing it in

the fame hole as the ivory handle.

brafs or ivory flider being fixed as before defcribed,

The

and

move the rethe microfcope placed in a perpendicular pofition, of the iky, light the call in fuch a manner as to fleding glafs

the

Microscopical Essays,
made

10y
;

the fun, or a candle, direct-ly upwards through the microfcope

by which means

it is

to anfwer

moll of the ends of a double

reflecling microfcope.

rendered more ufeful for viewing opake objccls by R, Fig. i , into the body of the microfcope at fcrewing the arm
It is alfo

G
S,

think will beil

R that magnifier which you your object, and putting the concave fpeculum on to the outfide of the ring R, you will find in the body of the
;

then fcrewing into the round hole

fuit

microfcope, between the

male fcrew' C
that

or brafs F, and the end of the C, a fmall hole u, through which Aides the long

wood

wire T, which has a point at one end and forceps at the other,

may be

ufed occasionally, as your

object, requires

when you
is

have fixed

this,

and your

object,
till

on

it,

turn the
is

arm R, which

performed by two motions,

object
;

the magnifier

brought over the

it

may be

then adjufted to the true focus, by turning the

C C in the fame manner as before defcribed. It mull be turned exactly over the fpeculum, by twilling the upper part of the fcrole to one fide, till your objecl: and the two fpecumale fcrew
alfo

lums are

in

one

line,

as will

be found by

trial

and then

fix it

by

the fcrew B, at which time the upper furface of the objecl; will be

lb exceedingly enlightened by the light reflected upward from

the mirror to the concave fpeculum, as to be feen as clear and
diftinct as

any transparent one.

Description of a small Microscope for opake Objects,

,-Fig.

3 and

4,

Plate

II.

B.

A, Fig.

4,

is

a fixed
is

arm, through which palfes a fcrew B,

fattened to the

the other end whereof

moveable arm C.

O2

is

108

Microscopical Essays.
is

a 'nut fitted to the faid fcrew, which,

when

turned, will

either feparate or bring together the

two arms

A C.
when
the nut

E
is

is

ft eel

fpring, that feparates the

two

fides

unfcrewed.

F, a piece of brafs turning

round

in a focket,

whence proceeds
a fteel

a fpringing tube, moving on a

wire,

rivet,

through which runs

one end of which

pliers

finifhes in

a point G, and the other end

it
;

hath a pair of
into, or

foldered to

thefe are either to thruft

to take

up and hold any

object,

and may be turned

round

as required.

I,

a ring of brafs, with a female fcrew fixed

on an upright

piece of the fame metal, which turns on a

fet

rivet, that it

may be

at

a due diftance

when

the leaft magnifiers are ufed, and

ferves the fcrews of all the magnifiers.

K,

a concave fpeculum of

filver,

polifhed as bright as poffible,

lens
is

in the center of

which a double convex

it.

placed, with a

proper aperture to look through

On

the back of this fpecuI,

lum a male fcrew

is

made

to

fit

the brafs ring

which may be

fcrewed into the faid ring at pleafure.

fpecula, of different depths, are fitted to

Four of thefe concave

jects to

four glaffes of different magnifying powers, to be ufed as the ob-

be examined may require.

The

greater! magnifiers

have

the leaft apertures.

Microscopical Essays.
M,
black,

109

a round object plate, one fide white, and the other black,
vifible,

intended to render objects the more

by placing them,
fide.

if

upon

the white, and

if

white,

on the black
to

A fteel fpring N
fall
:

turns

down on each
is

fide,

make any

object
it

from the object plate there

a hollow pipe, to fcrew

on

the needle's point G.

O, a fmall box of

brafs,

with a glafs on each

in order to

fide,
;

contrived

to confine any living object

examine

it

this alfo

has

a pipe to fcrew upon the end-of the needle at G.

P, a turned handle of ivory, to fcrew into the inftrument

it is

when

made

ufe of.

Q,

a pair

of

pliers to take

up any

object, or

manage

it

with

conveniency.
I

R, a

foft hair brufh, to

clean the glaffes or fpecula.

you would view any object, fcrew the fpeculum, with you intend to ufe, into the brafs ring I place your object either on the needle G, in the pliers H, on the object plate M, or in the brafs hollow box O, as may be moft convethe magnifier
;

When

nient, according to the nature

and condition of it; then holding

through the magnifying

up your inftrument by the handle P, look againft the light lens, and by means of the nut D, toge-

ther with the motion of the needle, by

managing

it's

lower end,

the object

may be

turned about, raifed or deprefied, brought

it a

nearer the glafs, or put farther from

till

you

hit the true focal

diftance a

no
diftance,

Microscopical Essays.
and the
light

be

feen reflected

from the fpeculum

it

ftrongly
diftincr.

upon the and clear.

object,

by which means

will

appear very

Of

Ellis's Single

or Aquatic Microscope,
it's

Plate VII. B.

This inftrument takes

<f

name from Mr. John

curious and

Ellis,

author of

An

EfTay towards a Natural Hiflory of Corallines," and of the

" Natural Hiflory of

many

uncommon Zoophytes."
ofj

This was the inftrument that he made ufe

was enabled to explain many

practical

fmgularities in

and by which he the ceconomy and

conftruction of thefe wonderful productions of nature.

botanift
this

To

the

inftrument

is

recommended,

by the

refpeclable authority of Mr. Curtis, author of the Flora Londinenfis,

a work which does credit to the author and the nation.

is

This micro fcope

very portable
;

fimple in

it's

conftruction, eafy in

thefe advantages, as well as

it's ufe, and fome others which it

alfo has over every other portable microfcope,

have accelerated
adopted.

the fale thereof, and caufed

it

to be very

much

Description of the various Parts of the Microscope.

K, the box which contains the whole apparatus on the top of the box there rally made of fifh-fkin
;
;

it

is

gene-

is

a female
pillar

fcrew, for

receiving the fcrew which

is

at the

bottom of the

A, a

pillar

of brafs which

is

fere wed

on the top of the box K.

on the top of this pin
carries the magnifiers

D, a
Is

brafs pin

which

fits

into the pillar

a hollow focket to receive the

arm which

the

Microscopical Essays.
the pin
to their
Is

lit
adjuft the lenfes

be moved up and down, in order to focal or proper diftance from the objeci.
to

N. B. In the reprefentation of
Fig.
i,

this

microfcope, Plate VII. B.

the pin

is

delineated as palling through a locket at

one

fide

of the pillar

whereas

it is

ufual at prefent to
pillar.

make

it

pafs down a hole bored through the middle of the

E, the bar which carries the magnifying lens it fits into the which is at the top of the pillar D. This arm may be focket
;

moved backwards and

the pin D, at the end
part of the

forwards in the focket X, and fide ways

by

fo that the magnifier,

which

is

fcrewed into the ring

to traverfe over

of

this bar,

may be eafily made

on the

any

objeci: that lays

flage or plate B.

EF
The

is

a polifliecl filver fpeculum, with a magnifying lens,

is

placed at the center thereof, which

perforated for this purpofe.

filver fpeculum fcrews into the arm

as at F.

G, another fpeculum, with it's lens, which magnifying power from the former.

is

of a different

H, the

femicircle

which fupports the mirror

the pin R,

affixed to the femicircle II, pafles through the hole

which

is

to-

wards the bottom of the pillar A.

B, the flage, or the plane, on which the objects are to be
placed
;

it

fits

into the fmall dove-tailed

pillar

arm which

is

at

the

upper end of the

D A-

112

Microscopical Essays.
{ilk

C, a plane glafs, with a fmall piece of black

this glafs
is

(luck

on

it

to lay in a groove

made

in the ftage B.

M,

a hollow

glafs, to

be laid occafionally on the ftage inftead

of the plane

glafs C.

L, a pair of nippers.

Thefe are fixed to the ftage by the pin

the fteel

wire of thefe nippers Aides backwards and forwards

in the focket,

and

this

focket

is

moveable upwards and downthe pofition of the object

object

wards by means of the

joint, fo that

may be

varied at pleafure.

The

may

be fixed in the nip-

pers, ftuck

on the

point, or affixed

by a

little

gum water,

&c.

to the ivory cylinder

N.

O, a fmall pair of forceps to take up fmall

P, a brufh to clean the glafles.

objects.

To
Take
all

use Ellis's Microscope.

then be-

the parts of the apparatus out of the box

gin by fere wing the pillar

to the cover thereof; pafs the pin

R of the
that
is

femicircle

which

carries

the mirror through the hole

near the bottom of the pillar

pufh the ftage into the

dove-tail at B. Aide the pin into the pillar, (fee the N. B. above)

then pafs the bar

through the focket which

is

at the top

of the

pin D, and fcrew one of the magnifying lenfes into the ring at F.

now ready for ufe and though the enumeration of the articles may lead the reader to imagine the inftrument to be of a complex nature, we can fafely affirm, that he will find
The microfcope
is
;

it

TL 7B

Microscopical Essays.
it otlierwife.
it is difficult

The

inftrument has this peculiar advantage, that

to put any of the pieces in a place

which

is

appro-

priated to another.

Let the object be now placed

pers L, and
in fuch

either
it

on the

ftage or in the nip-

manner, that
:

may be
much

as nearly as pofiible

over the center of the ftage

bring the fpeculum

light

over the part

you mean to obferve

as

then throw as
I

on the fpeculum
re-

you

can,

by means of the mirror

capable
;

L, and the double motion

of which
flected

it is

the light received

on the fpeculum

is

by
is

it

on the

object.

The

diftance of the lens

F from
I

the

object

regulated

by moving the pin

it

up and down,
which
from the

until

a
is,

diflinct

view of

is

obtained.
it's

The

rule

obferve
object:,

to place the lens

beyond
it

focal diftance
till

and then gradually Aide

well defined.

down,

the object appears fharp and

The

adjuftment of the lenfes to their focus, and

the distribution of the light

on the

object, are

what require the

;

moft attention

on

the

fir ft

the diftinctnefs of the virion depends

the pleafure arifing from a clear view of the parts under obfervation,
is

due to the modification of the

light.

No
;

precife rule can

be given for attaining accurately thefe points

it is

from practice

alone that ready habits of obtaining thefe neceffary properties can

be acquired
found.

with the

affiftance

of this no difficulty will be

Thefe microfcopes are fometimes

fitted

up with a toothed rack

glafles to their

and pinion,

for the

more ready adjuftment of the

proper focus.

Descrjp-

ii4

Microscopical Essays.
Lyonet's
Fig. 3,

Description of

Anatomical Microscope,
Plate VI.

Fig. 3 reprefents the inftrument with

his microfcopical

which M. Lyonet made

of the chenille de
1,

and wonderful
is

diffe6lion

iaule,

of which afpecimen

given in Plate XII. Fig.

&c. of this work.

;

This

little

inftrument needs no further recommendation

aided

by

it,

other obfervers

the fame accuracy

may be enabled to diflect other infe&s with as M. Lyonet, and thus advance the know-

ledge of comparative anatomy, by which alone the characleriftic,

nature,

and rank of animals, can be truly afcertained.

fupported by the pillar

A B the anatomical table, which N O this fcrewed on the foot C D.

is
;

is

is

The

table

AB
;

is

pre-

vented from turning round, by means of two fteady pins in this table or board there is a hole G, which is exactly over the center

of the mirror EF, that

hole

is

to reflea the light

flat

on the
glafs,

object; the

is

defigned to receive a

or concave

on which the

objecls are to

be placed that you defign to examine.

RXZ
means
fcrew,
it

is

an arm formed of feveral

in

balls

and

fockets,
;

by which
fixed to

may be moved

every poflible fituation

;

it

is

the board

by means of the fcrew H the laft arm I Z has a female By into which a magnifier may be fcrewed as at Z.
I

means of the fcrew H, a fmall motion may be occafionally given

to the

atm

Z, for adjufting the lens with accuracy to

object.

it's

focal

diftance

from the

fometimes ufed, carrying a lens to throw light upon the object 5 the mirror is alfo fo mounted, as to

Another chain of balls

is

be

Microscopical Essays.
be taken from
it's

place at K, and fitted

on a clamp, by which

it

may

be fixed to any part of the table

A B.

To use the Dissecting Table.

Let the operator
fet

with his

left fide

near a light

window
left

the

inftrument being placed on a firm table, the fide

DH towards the
the

ftomach, the obfervations fliould be

pofition
is

made with

eye

this

well adapted for obferving drawing or writing.

In

diflecting, the two elbows are to be fupported

by the

table

on

which the inftrument

refts,
it

the hands

refting againft the

board

AB;

in order

to

give

greater {lability, (as a fmall (hake,

though imperceptible

to the

naked eye,

is

very vifible in the

in

microfcope) the differing inftruments are to be held one

hand, between the thumb and two fore-fingers.
flances will be learnt

each

Other cireumbe faid on the

from practice

and more

will

mode

of difiecting fmall objects in the following chapter.

Description of Dr. Withe ring's Botanical Microscope,

Fig.
i,

Plate VI.

This
fifts

little

inftrument

is

reprefented at Fig.

i,

Plate VI.

It

con-

of three brafs
;

plates,

A, B, C, which are parallel to each

are rivetted into the

other
plate,

the wires

D and E
this

upper and lower

;

which are by
is

means united to each other

wires,

the middle
little

plate or ftage
fockets

moveable on the aforefaid

it.

by two

which are fixed to

The

Microscopical Essays,
The two upper
different

powers

plates each contain a magnifying lens, but of one of thefe confines and keeps in their places

the fine point F, the forceps

G, and the fmall knife H.

and take out

To

ufe this inftrument, unfcrew the upper lens,

then fcrew the lens on and then move it up or down till you have gained a diftinft view of the objecl, as one lens is made of a fhorter focus than the other ; and fpare lenfes, of a ftill deeper focus, may be had if required. This little micro;

the point, the knife, and

the forceps
ftage,

again, place the objecl:

on the

fcope
in
his

is

the invention of Dr. Withering, and is defcribed by him " Botanical Arrangements." It's principal merit is it's

Simplicity.

Common Botanical
This
little

Microscope.

inftrument

is

reprefented at Fig. 2, Plate VI.

to
it's

It

appears to
fimple,

me
;

preferable

Dr. Withering's,
application,

being equally
ftage un-

more

extenfive in

and the

incumbered

though that of M. Lyonet feems better adapted

than either to the purpofes of difle&ion.

A B,
C
;

a fmall arm, carrying the two magnifiers, one fixed to

the upper part as at B, the other to the lower part of the

thefe

arm

at

may be
is

ufed feparately or combined together.

I

The
is

arm

AB

fupported by the fquare pillar

K, the lower end of

the ftage

which

fits

into the focket

of the foot

FG;
;

DL

made

to Aide

up and down the fquare

on the
objecl:.

pillar

H, a concave mir-

ror for reflecting light

To

Microscopical Essays.
To
focus,
ufe this
it

micro fcope, place the objeft on the

ftage nearer to

ft

age,
it

rcflecl:.

the light on

from the concave mirror, and regulate

by moving the

the or further from the lens at

to

B.

The

ivory Aiders pafs through the ftage

in the nippers

other objects

may

be fixed
glafifes
;

L M,
laid

or they

may be

and then brought under the eyeon one of the glaffes which fit the

flage.

The
ditto,

apparatus to this inftrument confifis of three ivory Aiders,

fiat

a pair of nippers, a pair of forceps, a

glafs,

and a concave

both

fitted to the ftage.,

Bo T A N

IC'AL

M'A'G N IFIERS,

Since botany has been cultivated with fo much ardor, it has been found neceffary to contrive fome very portable inftrument, by which the botanift might inveftigate the objed of his purfuits,

Figures 7 and two, the moft convenient of this kind;

it

as

rifes

before him.

8,

Plate

VIII reprefent

In the cafe, Fig.

nifying powers, that

8, are three lenfes, g, 4,

all

1,

of different mag-

turn

up and

{hut into the cafe.

Fig. 7 contains alfo three lenfes, a> b,.d, of different foci,

which

are

all

made

to turn into the cafe,

and may be ufed combined or

ieparately.

The

three lenfes in themfelVes afford three different magnify;

ing powers

by combining two and two we make three more

the three together

make

a feventh magnifying

power with

three

lenfes-

Microscopical Essays,
lenfes.

When

the three lenfes are ufed together,

it is

beft to turn

them

into the cafe,

and look through the hole,

is

as this

combined

magnifying power
of the light which
diftin6t. vifion.

fo great, that

it

requires to have a portion

falls

on the

lenfes excluded, in order to attain

is

Further, the eye

eafily

alfo by^ this

glafles.

means made

to

coincide

more

with the axis of the

Description of a portable Microscope and Telescope,

Fig.
i,

2, 3, 4, 5, 6,

Plate VIII.

The

telefcope

is

one of thofe which are compofed of feveral

Aiding drawers or tubes, for the convenience of being put in the pocket; the Hiding tubes are made of thin brafs, the outfide tube

of mahogany.

The

Hiding tubes are contrived to

Hop when drawn out

to a

proper length, fo that by applying one hand to the outfide tube, and the other hand to the end of the fmalleft tube, the telefcope

may be

at

one pull drawn out

is

it's

whole length

then any of the

in

tubes (that next the eye

molt generally ufed)

till

may be pufhed
the object
is

gradually while you are looking through,

ren-

dered diftinct to the

fight.

To make

the tubes Aide properly, they

;

all

pafs

through fhort

fprings or tubes

thefe fprings

may

be unfcrewed from the ends

of the Aiding tubes by means of the milled edges which project above the tubes, and the tubes taken from each other if required,

and the fpring

fet clofer if it is

too weak.

Microscopical Essays,
Fig. 5 reprefents the exterior tube

30>

of the telefcope, which

is

to be unfcrewed

part of the microfcope; the cover k, which protects the objeft-glafs,

from thereft,

as

it

does not

make any

ferves alfo as a

box

to contain the Aiders with the obje&s,

and

a.

fmall mirror.

Fig. 4

is

a view of

this

cover

part of

it,

and the mirror, Fig.

when taken off: unfcrew the top. 6, may be taken out unfcrew the
;

cover of the lpwer part, and you will find therein the two circular Aiders reprefented at Fig. l

and

2,

which
at the

Fig. 3 reprefents the three internal tubes of the telefcope,., conftitute the microfcopic part thereof. Draw the tubes
;

is feen in Fig. 3 then on the infide, but lower end of the exterior tube, you will find a fhort tube,, which ferves as a ftage to hold the objecT: and fupport the mir-

out in the manner that

ror

pull this tube partly -out,

is

and turn

it,

fo that a circular hole

which

pierced in

it

may coincide
is

with a fimilar hole in the ex-

terior tube.

This tube
4,.

reprefented as

mirror, Fig.
fixed at

placed therein at

drawn out at Fig. 3, the L M, and the tranfparent Aider

N O.

Fig. i reprefents the Aider with tranfparent objecis.

Fig. 2, that with opake.

They
flit

are

made of

ivory,

on a pin
the tube,

at the center

the

end of this pin

fits

and turn on the edge of

then to be puflied up, fo that the lower end of the exterior tube may bear lightly on the upper fide of the Aider,,
is

which

agreeable to the view which

the fecond tube
till

is

given

at.

Fig. 3.

Now

pu(h

down

the milled part

falls

on the milled edge of the'

exterior

120

Microscopical Essays.
Nothing now remains to be done but to
which
is

exterior tube, being careful of the circular hole in the exterior

one.
focus,

adjuft for the

effected

by pufhing down the tube

TV

till

the

object appears diflinct.

The
jects
;

inftrument
firft,

may be

ufed in two ways for tranfparent ob-

in a vertical pofition,

when
or
in

the light
it

is

to be

thrown

on

the object

by the mirror

LM;
;

may be examined by

looking up directly at the light

rnuft

the latter cafe the mirror

be taken away. of no ufe

In viewing opake objects the mirror

light as poflible

is

as

much

mull be

let

fall

on them through

the circular

holes of the tubes.

Any object may

be viewed by

firfl

pufhing the tube

R, and

then bringing the tube

to

it's

focal diflance

from the object.

Description of those Parts of a Microscopical Apparatus, which are delineated in Plate IX.

A and B
fiers

reprefent the brafs cells

which contain the magni-

belonging to the different kinds of compound microfcopes.

magnifiers are fometimes contained in a Aider like that which

The
is

delineated at Fig. 3, Plate V.

The

lenfes

of

and

are con-

fined

by

a fmall

cap

on unfcrewing

this,

the fmall lens

may be

taken out and cleaned.

The

magnifiers

of the lucernal micro-

fcope are fo contrived, that any two of them

together,

may be fcrewed

by which means
obtained.

a confiderable variety of magnifying

power

is

To

ft!

cr

cAl

Essays.

121

To

get at the lenfes in the Aider, Fig. 3, Plate V. take out the

two fcrews which hold on the cover,

C, Plate IX. reprefents the general form of the flider-h older.
It

confifts

of a cylindrical tube,

in

which an inner tube

is

by a fpring. It is ufed to receive the ivory or any other Aider, in which the tranfparent objects are placed thefe are to be Aid between the two upper plates the hollow part in
;
:

forced up

one of the plates

is

defigned for the glafs tubes.

D, the condenfmg
holder C, and
piece
is

lens

and

it's

tube,

which

fits

into the Aider-

may
is

be moved up and down

far as
it

in

it.

When

this

puAied up as

will go,

it

condenfes the light of a

candle, which

reflected

on

it

by the plain mirror of the comit

pound microfcope, and

this cafe it is

fpreads

uniformly over the

object.

in

befl adapted to the ftialloweft magnifiers.

it

If the
re-

deeper lenfes are ufed,

fiiould

be drawn down, or rather

it
it

moved
denfmg fome

further from the object, that

may

concentrate the light

denfe.

in a fmall compafs,
lens
is

and thus render

fitted

more

The

con-

fometimes
it

up

differently,
it

but the principle

being the fame,

will

be eafy to apply

to ufe, notwithstanding

variations in the

mechanifm.

E, a brafs cone

it

fixes

under the Aider-holder.

It

is

ufed to

leflen occasionally the quantity

of light which comes from the

mirror to any object.

F, a box, with
diftances

two

fiat glafies,

which may be placed at

different
infect.

from each other, in order to confine a fmall living

122

Microscopical Essays.
final 1 brafs

G, a

box

to hold the filver

fpeculum H.

H, a
light

fmall filver concave fpeculum, defigned td reflecl the

;

from the mirror on opake objects

It
;

it

fhould only be ufed

with the fhallow magnifiers.

the

is

applied in different ways to

to

compound microfcope
fometimes
it is

fometimes

tube fimilar to

that reprefented at X, which Hides

on the lower part of the

body
this

fcrewed into the ring of the piece

into

O;

the

pin of this generally

fits

one of the holes

in the llage.

When

fpeculum

is

ufed, the Aider- holder

mould be removed.
fattened, in order to

I,

a fifh-pan, whereon a fmall

fifh
;

may be
tail is

view the circulation of the blood

it's

to
faft

be fpread acrofs

the oblong hole at the fmalleft end, and tied

by -means of the ribbon-fixed thereto, by moving the knob which is on the back of the tail of the fifh may be it through the flit made in the ftage
;

brought under the lens which

is

in ufe.

K, a

cylindrical piece, intended for the folar

opake microfcope

by pulling back the

confined iu
it.

fpiral fpring, fmaller or larger objecls

may be

L, a long Reel wire, with a fmall pair of

pliers at

one

end,,

and a
wards

flee!

point at the other

the wire
is

flips

backwards or

for-

in

a fpring tube, which

is

affixed to a joint, at the

in the ftage
;

bottom

of which

a pin to

fit

one of the holes

this piece is

ufed to confine fmall objecls.

1,

a fmall ivory cylinder that

wire

fits

on the pointed end of the

Light-

fteel

L;

it is

defigned to receive opake objecls.

coloured

Microscopical Essays;
coloured
verfa.

123
fide,

ones are to be ftuck on the dark

and vice

K2
M,

is

a pair of triangular nippers, for taking hold and con-

fining a large object.

a convex lens, which

it
;

fits

the ftage

pin adhering to

it is

defigned to

by means of the long collect the light from the fun

or a candle, and
this piece
is

to

throw them on any object placed on the ftage

ufed at prefent.

very

little

N, a
others

brafs Aider, into

which

is

fitted

flat

piece of glafs,
glafles,

and
the

a brafs Aider, containing one or two fmall concave

flat
;

it
is

is

defigned to confine fmall living obj eels, and

when

ufed

to

be placed between the two upper plates of the

flider-holder.

O, a

glafs tube to receive a fmall

fifli.

See,

one of the Ivory-Aiders, wherein objects are placed between two pieces of talc, and confined by a brafs
reprefents
ring.

Q,

a piece to hoid the

fpeculum

this piece is generally

1

fitted to the microfcopes which are reprefented at Fig.

and

2,

Plate IV.

It,

a pair -of forceps, to take up any occasional

object,

'S,

t24
S,

Microscopic At Essays,
a camel's hair pencil to brufh the
quill
is

upper part of the

fluid,

off the glaffes the fcooped out, to take up a drop of any

dufl:
;

and place

it

on

either

of the

glaffes for

examination.

T, an instrument for cutting thin tranfverfe

It confifts

feftions

of wood.
;

of a wooden bafe, which fup ports four brafs

is

the top of the pillars

die of

placed a

flat

piece of brafs,

on near the mid*

pillars

which there

is

a triangular hole.

A fharp knife,
ner, that the

which moves in a diagonal

direction,

is

fixed

on

the upper fide of the afore mentioned plate,

and

in fuch a

man-

edge always coincides with the furface thereof.

The
handle

knife
a.
is

moved backwards and forwards by means of the The piece of wood is placed in the triangular trough
is

which

under the brafs

plate,
is

and

is

to be kept fteady therein,

;

by a milled fcrew which

fitted to

the trough

the

wood
b.

is

to

be preffed forward for cutting, by the micrometer fcrew

The

pieces of wood

mould be applied

to this inftrument imelfe

mediately on being taken out of the ground, or

they

mould

be foaked for fome time in water, to foften them fo that they

not hurt the edge of the knife.

may

When

the edge of the knife

is

brought in contaa with the

of wine mould be pourit's

piece of wood, a fmall quantity of

fpirits

ed on the furface of the wood, to prevent

alfo

curling
it

up

it

will

make

it

adhere to the knife, from which

it,

may be removed:

by preffmg a piece of blotting-paper on

Th

Pi ATE 2X.

Microscopical Essays.

125
is

Is

an appendage to the cutting engine, which

placed over the triangular

to

be ufed

inftead of the micrometer fcrew, being preferred

titioners to
it.

It is

by fome prachole, and kept flat

is

down upon
is

the furface of the brafs plate, while the piece of wood

preffed againft a circular piece of brafs

which

on the under

fide

of

it.

This circular piece of brafs

diftance

is

fixed to a fcrew,

from the

flat

plate

on which the knife

by which its moves may be

regulated.

Z, an ivory box, containing at one end fpare talc for the ivory
Ciders,

and

at the other fpare rings, for preffing the talcs together

and confining them to the

Aider,

HAE

: ;

2$

Microscopical Essays.

H A R
using

IV.

'General Instructions for

the Microscope,

and preparing, the objects.

AS

the advantages which are obtained from any inftrument

are confiderably increafed, if it be ufed

it's

by a perfon who
acquitments,
it is

is

mafter of

properties,

attentive

to

it's

and
the
re-

habituated by practice to the minutiae of management,

defign of this chapter to point out thofe circumftances

which

quire moft the attention of the obferver, and to give fuch plain
directions, as

to

may enable him to examine any object with eafe fhew how he may place it in the beft point of view, and, if
it

neceffary, prepare

for obfervation.

A fmall

degree of attention will render the obferver mafter of

rule,

every neceffary

and a

little

practice will

make them

familiar

and habitual
wonders

the pains he takes to acquire thefe habits will

his inflrument,
till

be

rewarded by an increafing attachment to

it

and the

difplays.

Let him only perfevere

he has over-

come

that natural indolence

which oppofes the advancement of

every kind of knowledge, and he will furely find himfelf moft

amply recompenfed, by the pleafure of a fcience that has the unlimited treafures of infinite wisdom for the object of it's
6
refearches

Microscopical Essays,
refearches
:

127

and his mind being ftrengthened by the, victory it has gained, will be more keen in perceiving, and more patient in the
inveltigation of truth.

has long been a complaint,* that many of thofe who purchafe microfcopes are fo little acquainted with their general and
It

extenfive ufefulnefs, and fo

much

at a lofs for objects to

examine

by them, what they

fcope

that after diverting their friends

find in the Aiders,

fome few times with

in-

which generally accompany the

itrument, or perhaps two or three

is

common
:

objecls, the micro-

laid afide as

of little further value

whereas no inflrument

has yet appeared in the world capable of affording fo conftant, This various, and fatisf.aory an entertainment to the mind.

complaint

will, 1

hope, be obviated by thefe

efl'ays,

in

which

have
to

endeavoured to make

the ufe of the microfcope eafy, point out

an immenfe variety of objeas, and direa the obferver

prepare them for examination.

how

The fubjea

treated of in this chapter naturally divides itfelf

:

into three heads

concerning the neceffary preparation and adjuftment of the microfcope; the 2nd, treating, of the proper quantity of the light, and belt method of adapting it to the ob~
1.
;

jeas under examination

the 3d, (hewing

how

to prepare

and

prefervc the various objeas, that their nature, organization, and;

texture,

may be

properly underftood.

'

<

Or
p. $i>

* Baker's Microfcope made Eafy,

12'8

Microscopical Essays,

Of the necessary Preparation of the Microscqpe

for Observation.

We have

in the laft chapter explained thofe particulars that

conflitute the difference

of one microfcope from another, and

is

fhewn how each inftrument

parts are to be applied to
it.

to be ufed,

We mall

general directions applicable to every

is

and how the feveral now proceed to give feme microfcope. The obferver
his inftru-

therefore fuppofed to have

made himfelf mailer of

ment, and to

know how

to adapt the different parts of the appa-

ratus to their proper places.

The

firft

circumftance neceflary to be
different glades
;

examined

into

is,

whether the

belonging to the microfcope are per-

fectly clean or not

if

they are not clean, they muff be taken out

leather, taking care

and wiped with a piece of wafh

time not to
foil

at the
:

fame
in re-

the furface of the glafs with the fingers

placing the glafles, you muff alfo be careful not to lay them in

an oblique

fituation.

The

object fhould be brought as near the center of the field of

poffible, for there only will
it

view as

be exhibited in the greater!

perfection.

The eye fhould be moved up and down from the eye-glafs of compound microfcope, till you find that fituation where the
and

largeft. field

mod

diftinct

view of the

objecT:

is

obtained.
eye,

Every perfon ought to

adjuft the microfcope to his

it

own

and

not depend upon the fituation

was placed

in

by another.'
Care

Microscopical Essays,
Care muft be taken not to
glafs,
"let

129

the breath

fall

upon

the eye-

nor to hold that part of the body of the micrcfcope where the glaffes are placed with a warm hand, becaufe the damp that
is

expelled from the metal by the heat will be attracted and conglaffes,

denfed by the

and obftrucl the

fight

of the object.

The
power
;

obferver

mould always begin with a

he
will gain

final!

magnifying

with

this

an accurate idea of the fixation and

lefs liable

connection of the whole, and will therefore be

to

form

any erroneous opinion, when the parts

a deeper
lens.

are

viewed feparately by

By

a (hallow magnifier he will alfo difcover

thofe parts which merit a further invefligation.

Every object mould, if pofhble, be examined firft. in that if this circumftance is negpofition which is moil natural to it
:

very inadequate ideas of the [fracture of the whole, as well as of the connection and ufe of the parts, will be formed. If it be a living animal, care muft be taken not to fqueeze, hurt,
lected,

or difcompofe

it.

There

is

a great difference between merely viewing an object

it's

by

the microfcope, and inveftigating

nature

in the

firft

we

only confider the magnified reprefentation thereof, in the fecond

we endeavour
other objects.

to

analyfe and difcover

firft cafe,

it's

nature and relation to

In the

we

receive the impreffion of an

;

image formed by the action of the

our judgment by inveftigating

glaffes

in the fecond,
It is

we form

this

image.

eafy to view the

image which

is

offered to the eye, but not fo eafy to

;

form a judgbe found

neceffary

ment of the

things that are feen

an extenfive knowledge of the

will

fubject, great patience,

and many experiments,

Microscopical Essays.
necetTary for this

purpofe

for

there are

many cireum fiances

though originating

where the images feen may be very

.

fnnilar,

from fubftances

totally different

it is

here the penetration of the

obferver will be exercifed, to difcover the difference, and avoid

error.*

Hence Mr. Baker f cautions

ces
till

us againfl forming an opinion too

fuddenly of any microfcopic object, and not to draw our inferenafter repeated

experiments and examinations of the object,

;

no judgment upon things extended by force, or contracted by drynefs, or in any manner out of a natural ftate, without making fuitable alin all lights

and various pofitions

to pafs

lowances.

The true colour of objects cannot be properly determined when viewed through the deepefl magnifiers for, as the pores
;

and interfaces of an object are enlarged, according to the magnifying

power of the

glaffes

made

ufe of, the

component

particles

of it's fubfiance will appear feparated

many thoufand times

:

farther

afunder than they do to the naked eye

it is,

therefore, very

probable, that the reflection of the light from thefe particles will

be very

different,

and exhibit

different colours.

Some

confideration

is

alfd neceffary in

forming a judgment of
fluids,

the motion of living creatures,

or even of

when

feen

through the microfcope

wherein
it

for as the

moving body, and the fpace

will alfo

moves, are magnified, the motion

be increafed.

If
* Fontana fur
les Poifons, vol.
ii.

p. 245.

+ Baker's Microfcope made Eafy, p. 62^

Microscopical Essays.
If an object,
is

i^j

any light to pafs through it, as much as poffible mud be thrown on it's upper furface by that part of the apparatus which is peculiarly adapted for opake
fo as not to fuffer objects.

opake

As

the apertures of deep magnifiers are butfmall, and

little light,
:

confequently admit but

they are not proper for the

examination of opake objecls

to our fecond head.

this,

however, naturally leads us

Of the Management of the Light.

The
pleafure arifing

from a

juft

view of a microfcopic object,

the diftin&nefs of vifion, &c. depend on a due the light, and adapting the quantity of
object,
it
:

management of
of the

to the nature

therefore an object and the focus of the magnifier viewed in various be degrees of light. For, as mould always

Dr. Hooke has well obferved,

it is

difficult to

difimguilh in fome

objecls between a prominency and a depreffion, between a fhadow'

and a black
whitenefs
:

ftain

and

in

colour, between a reflection and a

will find fully exemplified in

a truth

which the reader

the examination of the eye of the

will

libella,

and other

flies,

which

be found to appear exceedingly

different

in one pofition of

the light from what they do in another.

The
for

brightnefs of an object depends

on the quantity of light

were, in a quantity of

the diftinctnefs of vifion, on regulating the quantity to the object.

fome

will
is

be

loft,

and drowned,

as

it

light that

fcarce fufficient to render another viable.

ftrong

light

may be thrown on an

objeft various ways

;

firft,

by means

of the fun and a convex lens

for this purpofe, place the micro-

fcope about three feet from a fouthern

I
.

window

take a deep

convex

32

Microscopical Essays.
lens, that is
it's

convex
fo that

mounted

in a femicircle
;

and fixed on a Hand,

pofition

may be

eafily varied
it

place this lens between

collect a considerable
objecl;,

the objecl; and the window, fo that

may

number of the
fun
is

folar rays,

and

refracl;

them on the

or the

mirror of the microfcope.

too powerful,
it

If the light thus collected

from the

may be

tempered, by placing a piece of

oiled paper, or a glafs lightly greyed, between the objecl;

lens
:

and the
obtain-

by

this

means, a convenient degree of light

in

may be

ed,

and diffufed

an equal manner over the whole

furface of

an

objecl;,

a circumftance that

mould be

particularly attended
is,

to

for if the light be

thrown

in

an irregular manner, that

larger

portions of

it

on fome

parts than

on

others,

it

will not

be

diftin&Iy exhibited.

Where

the folar light

is

preferred,

it

will

be found very con-

venient to darken the room, and to reflect the rays of the fun
the above-mentioned lens,

on

by means of the mirror of a

for

folar micro*-

fcope

fitted

io the window-mutter;

by

this

apparatus the
his objecl;, nof^

obferver will be enabled

to preferve the light

on

withstanding the motion of the fun*

Cutting off the adventitious light as

much

as

poffible,

darkening the room where you are ufmg

the microfcope,

by and

admitting the light only through a hole in the window-mutter, or

at

mod

keeping one window only open,

diftincl;

will alfo

be fpund very
objecl;.

conducive towards producing a

view of the

As
it

the motion of the fun, and the variable flate of our atmo-

fphere, renders folar obfervations both tedious

will

and inconvenient,
Xanthoma.

be proper for the obferver to be furnifhed with a large tia

Microscopical Essays*
Ian thorn,

133
lanthorn,
fit

made fomething

like the

common magic

to contain one of Argand's lamps.*

an aperture

in the front, that

;

The lanthorn mould have may be moved up and down, and

a pleafing uniform denfe light

capable of holding a lens

by

this

it

may may be
be

eafily procured.

readily

The lamp mould move on a rod, that The lanthorn may be elevated or depreffed.
on a
fereen,

ufed for

many

other purpofes, as for viewing of pictures, ex-

hibiting microfcopic objects

&c.

Many
thefe
fluids
;

tranfparent objecls are feen beft in a

weak

light

among

we may

place the prepared eyes of

flies

and animalcula in

the quantity of light from a

leflened

lamp or candle may be by removing the microfcope to a greater diftance from

it

them, or

may be more

effectually leffened

by

cutting off a part

on the object, either by placing the cone, Fig. E, Plate IX. under the Mage, or by forming circular apertures of black paper, of different fizes, and placing either a larger or final ler one on the reflecting mirror, as occafioa
of the cone of rays that
fall

may

require.

There
of the

is

an oblique

fituation
eafily

of the mirrors, and eonfequently an object more

light,

which

is

difcoveredby practice, but for which

will exhibit

no general rule can be given, that

beautifully and

more

dift in&Iy

than any other pofition, (hewing

is.

the furface, as
tranfmitted.

well as thofe parts through which the light

4 better
* The lamp {hould not be of the fountain kind, becaufe the rarefa&ion of the
air in

the lanthorn will often force the

oil

over.

334

Microscopical Essays.
of mod obje&s
;

A better view
latter,

is

obtained by a candle, or lamp,

to modify the former than the
different degrees

than by day-light

it is

more eafy

and to throw

it

on the objel with

faid,

of

denfity.

From what

has been

the reader will have obferved

the importance of being able to examine the objeft in the greateft

variety of pofitions

and appearances, which cannot --be

effected

with equal convenience by any microfcope but the improved

lucernal.

Of the Preparation

of Objects for

the Microscope.
nor

In the preparation of objecls, no

man was more fuccefsful

more

indefatigable than

Swammerdam,

in minutely anatomizing,

in patient inveftigation,
;

and in curioufly exhibiting the minute wonders of creation he Hands unrivalled, far exceeding all thofe that preceded, as well as thofe which have fucceeded him.

Deeply impreffed and warmly animated by the amazing fcenes that he continually difcovered, his zeal in purfuit of truth was not to be abated by difappointment, or alarmed by difficulty and was never contented till he had attained a rational and clear
idea of the organization of the objea, whofe ftrudure he wifhed

to explore.

We have only to regret that we are ignorant of the methods

employed.

he

To

difcover thefe,
all

with a fcrupulous attention

the great Boerhaave examined the letters and manufcripts of

has communicated the refult of his refearches, idea of which, though but fmall, may enable us to form feme

Swammerdam, and

this great

labourer in the field of fcience.

For

Microscopical Essays,
For differing of fmall
infe6ts
artift

he had a brafs

table, v/hich
;

was

made by
it.

that excellent

S.

Mufl'chenbrock

to this table

were affixed two brafs arms, moveable

at pleafure to

any part of

portion of thefe arms was conftrufled fo as to have a flow vertical motion, by which means the operator could
readily alter their height, as he faw molt convenient to his pur-

The upper

pofe

the office of one of thefe arms was to hold the

lens or microfcope.

little

bodies,

and that of the other to apply the

His microfcopes, or

lenfes,

were of various
greater!,

foci,

diameters,,

and

fizes,

from the lead to the

and the

belt that could

be procured in regard to the exaftnefs of the workman fhip, and His way was, to begin his obfertransparency of the fob Ranee.
vations with the fmalleft magnifiers, and from thence proceed
.degrees to the
greater!:.

by

By

nature and ufe he was fo incom-

parably dexterous in the .management of thefe inftruments, that

he made every obfervation fubfervient to the next, and

to confirm each other,

all

tend

and complete the

defcription.

His chief
fcifiars,

art

feems to have been in conftructing very fine

:

and giving them an extreme fnarpnefs

whereas knives and lancets,
let

thefe he

made
and

ufe of to cut very minute objects, becaufe they difle&ed them

equally

them be ever

fo fine

{harp, are apt to diforder delicate fubftances, as in going through

them, they generally draw after and difplace fome of the filaments-

His knives,

lancets,

and

ftyles,

were

fo very fine, that

he could

not fee to fharp en them without the affiftance of a magnifying

glafs
;

but with them he could di fleet the interlines of bees with

the fame accuracy

and

diftinftnefs that

the

mod
6

celebrated ana-

tomift does thofe of large animals.

He was

particularly dexterous
in

Microscopical Essays.
in the

management of
brittle,

fmall glafs tubes,

fine

than a

and drawn to a very

which were no thicker point at one end, but

diftin-

thicker at the other.

Thefe he made ufe of to fhew and blow up

the fmalleft. veflels difcovered

guifh, feparate their courfes

by the microfcope, to trace, and communications, or to

injet

them with very

fubtil

coloured liquors.

He ufed

to fuffocate the infe&s in fpirit of wine, in water, or

fpirit of turpentine,

and likewife preferved them for fome time in

thefe liquids

by which means he kept the parts from putrefying, and confequently collapfing and mixing together and added to them befides fuch ftrength and firmnefs, as rendered the diflec; ;

tions

more eafy and

agreeable.

When
little

verfly *dth his

fine fciflars the

he had divided tranfcreature he intended to

examine, and had carefully noted every thing that appeared

he then proceeded to extract the vifcera in a very cautious and leifurely manner, with other inftruments of great finenefs firft taking care to warn away and
without further
difleclion,
;

feparate, with very fine pencils, the fat with

which

infects

are

very plentifully fupplied, and which always prejudice the internal

parts

before

it

can be extracted.

This operation

is

bell per-

formed upon

infects while in the

nympha ftate.
delicate vifcera of the infects
gently,

Sometimes he put into water the

he had fuffocated
himfelf an
veflels,
;

and then making them

he procured
the other thofe
in

opportunity of examining them, efpecially the air

this

which by

means he could feparate from

admiration of

all

parts

whole and
;

entire, to the great

all

who
any

beheld them

as thefe veflels are not to

all

be diftin&ly feen

other manner, or indeed feen at

without damaging them, he

often

Microscopical Essays.
often

jgy
to

made

ufe

of water, injected by a fyringe,

cleanfe
air

thoroughly the internal parts, then blew them up with

dried them,

and
fit

by which means he rendered them

greateft fuccefs,

durable, and

for examination at a proper opportunity.

Sometimes he has exin balfam,

amined with the

and made the moll important

difcoveries, in infects that

he had preferved

and kept
and

for years together in that condition.

Again, he has frequently

after

made punctures
fqueezing out

in other infects with a very fine needle,

all their

moifture through the holes

made

in this

them with air, by means of very (lender glafs tubes, then dried them in the (hade, and laft of all anointed them with oil of fpike, in which a little rofm had been diffolved, by which means they retain their proper forms a long time. He had a lingular fecret, whereby he could fo preferve the nerves of
manner, he
rilled

infects, that

they ufed to continue as limber and perlpicuous as

ever they had been.

He
out

ufed to make a fmall puncture or incifion in the

after

tail

of
in-

worms, and
all their

having gently and with great patience fqueezed

vifcera,

humours, and great part of their

fo as to give

he then
all

jected

them with wax,

and continue to them

the

appearance of healthy vigorous living creatures.

that the fat of
all infects

He

difcovered

was

perfectly diflblvible in oil of tur-

pentine

thus he was enabled to

mew

the vifcera plainly

only

after this diflbJution

he ufed to cleanfe and wafh them well and

often in clean water.

He

frequently fpent whole days in thus

it's

cleanfing a fmgle caterpillar of

fat,
-

in order to difcover the

true conftruction of this infect's heart.

His lingular fagacity in

flopping off the Ikin of caterpillars, that were upon the point of
fpinning their cones, defer ves particular notice.

This he

effected,

by

Microscopical Essays.
them drop by their threads into fcalding water, and for by this means the epidermis fuddenly withdrawing them this was done, he put them into when and eafily very peeled off diftilled vinegar and fpirit of wine, mixed together in equal porby
letting
;

tions,

which, by giving a proper firmnefs to the parts, gave him

an opportunity of feparating them, with very little trouble, from the exuviae, or (kins, without any danger to the parts fo that by
;

this contrivance,

the

nymph

could be (hewn to be wrapped up

in the caterpillar,

and the

butterfly in the

nymph.

Thofe who

look into the works of Swammerdam, will be abundantly gratified,

whether they confider

his

immenfe labour and unremitted

ardour in thefe purfuits, or his wonderful devotion and piety. On one hand, his genius urged him to examine the miracles of
the great Creator in his natural produftions
;

whilft

on the

other*

the love of that fame all-perfecl Being rooted in his mind, ftrug-

gled hard to perfuade

him

that

God

alone,

and not the creatures^

were worthy of his refearches, love, and

attention.

M. Lyonet

always drowned

firft

thofe infe&s he intended to

anatomize, as by this means he was enabled to preferve both the If the infecT:, &c. is very foftnefs and tranfparency of the parts.
fmall, ex. gr. one-tenth

of an inch, or a

little

more
is

in length,

it

mould be dinged
if after

in water,
is

on a
fpirit
it

glafs

which

little

concave

a few days there

any

fear that the infea will putrefy, it

mould be placed in weak

order to
fix

of wine, inftead of water.

In

the

little

creature,

mult be

fuffered to dry,

and

then be fattened by a piece of

again covered with water.

foft

wax

after

which

it

may be

Larger

Microscopical Essays*
Larger obje&s require a
different

^
it

placed in a fmall trough of thin

they fliould be wood; the bottom of a common

;

procefs

chip box will anfwer very well, by furrounding the edge of

with
is

foft

wax, to keep in the water or

if

fpirit

of wine.

The

infecl

then to be opened, and

the parts are foft Jike thofe of a

caterpillar,

they fliould be turned back and fixed to the trough

;

by
the

fmall pins

the pins are to be fet

by a

pair

of fmall nippers
in water,

fkin being ftretched at the

fame

inftant

finer forceps, the infect

mull then be placed

by another pair of and di by

feezed therein,

and

after

two or three days

fliould

it

fhould be covered
;

with
this

fpirits

of wine, which
fubjeel: is

be renewed occafionally
it's

means the

preferved in perfection, and

parts

may be

gradually unfolded, without any other change being

elaftic parts

perceived than that the foft

become

ft iff

and opake?

and fome others

lofe their colour.

M. Lyonet

ufed the following inftruments in his curious

di'f-

feclioh of the chenille

de

faule.

As

fmall a
;

pair

of

fciflars

as

could be made, the arms long and fine a fmall and {harp knife, the end brought to a point a pair of forceps, the ends of which
;

would eafily lay hold of a fpithe moil ufeful inftruments But der's thread or a grain of fand. were two fine fteel needles, fixed in fmall wooden handles, about
had been
fo adjufted, that they

2 1 of an inch in length.

An obfervation
to, for fixing

of Dr. Hooke's

may be

very ufeful,

if

attended

objeds intended to be defigned by the microfcope. He found no creature more troublefome to draw than the ant or pifmire, not being able to get the body quiet in a natural poflure.
If,

when

alive,

it's

feet

were fettered with wax or

glue,

it

would
fo

140
fo twift
a

Microscopical Essays.
and twine
;

it's

body, that

it

was impoffible any way to get

good view of it

if it

was

killed, the
it

body was
their life
this is
;

fo fmall, that the

It
is

fhape was
nature of
the parts

often fpoiled before

could be examined.
is

the

many minute bodies, when to fhrivel up immediately

;

deftroyed, for

very obfervable in

many
air;
little

fmall plants, as well as in infects

the furface of thefe fmall

bodies, if

porous, being affected by almoft every, change f the

is

and

this

particularly the cafe with the ant.

But
it

if
is

the

creature

is

dropped
;

in well rectified fpirit of wine,

im-

mediately killed
rates, leaves the

and when taken

out, the fpirit of

it's

wine evapo;

animal dry and in

natural pofture
it

or at leaft

fo conftituted, that

you may

eafily place

with a pin in what

poflure

you

pleafe-.*

Having thus given a general account of the methods ufed hy Swammerdam and Lyonet, in their examination and diffeftion o
infects,

we

mall proceed to {hew

how

to prepare feveral of their

parts for the microfcope,

beginning with the wings.

Many

of thefe are
preparation

fo tranfparent
;

and

clear, as

to require

no previous up when
at

but the under wings of thofe that are covered with

elytra or eruftaceous cafes 5 being eonftantly folded,

reft,

they muft be unfolded before they can be examined

this purpofe,
is

by the

microfcGpe: for

a considerable fhare
;

of, dexterity,,

and fome patience

wings
is

neceflary

for the natural

fpring of the

fo fixong, that they immediately fold themfelves again?,

f

except they are carefully prevented^.

One of the mod

curious and beautiful wings of this kind

is

thate

of the earwig, of which we have given a drawing, Plate XIV.

Fig.
* Hooke's Micrographia, p. 203,

Microscopical Essays.
Fig. 1.

-141

When

expanded

it is

a tolerably large wing, yet folds

up under a cafe not one-eighth part of it's fize. It is very difficult to unfold this wing, on account of it's curious texture. They
are beft opened immediately after the infecl
is

killed.

Hold the

earwig by the thorax, between the finger and thumb; then with
a blunt pointed pin endeavour gently to open
it,

by fpreading

it

over the fore-finger, gradually Aiding at the fame time the thumb

over

it.

When

the wing

is

fully

expanded, feparate

it

from the

by a (harp knife, or a pair of fciflars. The wing fhould be preffed for fome time between the thumb and finger before it be removed it may then be placed between two pieces of paper,
infect
;

and again preffed

between

for at leaft

an hour

after which,

it

may be put

the tales without

any danger of folding up again.

The wings of the

as

notonecTa, and other water infecls, as well

grylli,

moft fpecies of the

require equal care

and delicacy with

that of the earwig to difplay them properly.

The wings of butterflies and mot MS

;

are covered with

very minute fcales or feathers, that afford a beautiful object for the microfcope near the thorax, the (boulder, the middle of the

wing, and the fringes of the wings, they are generally intermixed

with

hair.

The

fcales
;

from one part^

alfo,

often differ in flhape

from thofe of another they may be firft fcraped off or loofened from the wing with a knife, and then brum them into a piece of paper with a camel's hair pencil the fcales may be feparated
;

from the hairs with the affiftance of a

common

magnifying

glafs.

The
quires

probofcis of infe6ls, as of the gnat, the tabanus, Sec. re-

much

attention,

and confiderable

care,

to

be differed
properly

142

Microscopical Essays.
j

properly for the microfcope

the obferver decides

and many muft be prepared before

;

upon

the fituation and fhape of the parts

he

will often alfo

be able to unfold in one fpecimen fome parts

It is

that he can fcarce difcover in another.

well

known
it

that the
;

collector of the bee forms

figure

a moft beautiful
3.

object

of

it

is

given in Plate XIII. Fig.

In

is

difplayed

a moft wonderful mechanifm,

admirably adapted to collect

and extract the various fweets from flowers, &c. To prepare fhould firft be carefully wafhed with fpirit of turit this, which means it will be freed from the unctuous by pentine, and melliferous particles which ufually adhere to it when dry,
;

it

muft be again waftied with a camel's hair pencil, to difengage

hairs

and bring forward the fmall

microfcopic beauty.

which form one part of it s

The
and

cafe

which enclofes the sting of the bee, the wafp,

are fo hard, that
it

the, hornet,

is

very

difficult

to extract
It

them without breaking or therwife injuring them.

found, perhaps, the beft

will

be

way

to foak the cafe

and the

reft

of the

apparatus for fome time in

it

fpirit

of wine or turpentine, then lay

knife

on a piece of clean paper, and with a blunt

holding the
;

draw out the

or by any

fling,

ftieath

by the
is

nail

of the

finger,

blunt inftrument

great care

requifite to preferve the feelers,

which when cleaned add much

to the beauty of the objecl:.

The eyes of the libellula and

lobfter,

different

flies,

of the

&c. are

firft

to

be cleaned from the blood and other ex-

traneous matter, they fhould then be foaked in water for fome

days, after
eye, which,

Which you may feparate one or two

if

(kins

from the fome

they remain, render

it

too opake and confufed

Microscopical Essays,

143

fome care is, however, requifite in this reparation, otherwife the enable you to form an fkin may be made too thin, fo as not to
accurate idea of
it's

organization.

The
and

exuviae of infeBs are in general a very pleating objea, If they are curled or bent up, require but little preparation.

and they will keep them in a moift atmofphere for a few hours, with eafe to foon become fo relaxed that you may extend them
their natural pofitions.

The

fleam of

warm

water anfwers the

purpofe very well.

The beard of
cil
;

the lepas anitifera

is

to

be foaked

in clean foft

camel's hair penwater, and frequently brufhed while wet with a

it

may

then be

left

to dry

after

which

it

muft be again

brufhed with a dry pencil, to difengage and feparate the hairs, picture of this object is which are apt to adhere together.

reprefented in Plate XIII. Fig.

1.

To
dried

view the
flefh,

muscular
it

fibres, take a very thin piece of

a flip of glafs, and moiften
it

and lay
;

upon
is

with

warm

water

when

this

evaporated, the veffels will appear

plain and

more

vifible,

and by repeated macerations the parts

may be

further' difengaged.

To

examine

fat, brains,

and other

fimilar fubftances,

we

are

by Dr. Hooke to render the furface fmooth, by preffing by which the fubftance it between two thin plates of flat glafs otherwife the will be made much thinner and more tranfparent parts lying thick one upon the other, it appears confufed and
advifed
;

indiftinL

Some

; ;

*44

Microscopical Essays.
fubflances are, however, fo organized, that if their pecuis

Some
liar

form

altered, the parts

we

with to difcover are deftroyed

fibres,

fuch as nerves,

tendons, mufcular

pith of wood,
floating in

many of thefe

are beft to be

examined while

&c. fome con-

fibres of any of the mufcles can be difcovered when they are viewed in

venient tranfparent fluid.

For

inftance, very

few of the

the open air

but

if

placed in water or
difcovered.
it

oil,

great part

of

their

wonderful fabric
is

may be
manner,

If the thread of a ligament

confift

viewed

in this

will

be feen to

of an indefinite

number of fmooth round threads

Objects of an

lying clofe together.

elaftic nature fhould be pulled or flretched out the microfcope, that the texture and nature under while they are of thofe parts, whofe figure is altered by being thus pulled out,

may be more

fully difcovered.

To

examine bones with the microfcope.

as

Thefe fhould

firfr.

be viewed

opake objects;
be looked

afterwards,

by procuring

thin

feclions, they fhould

at as if tranfparent.

The

fections

fhould be cut in

all

directions,

a degree of maceration will

bones

may be

put in a clear
this

and be well wafhed and cleaned Or the be ufeful in fome cafes. fire till they are red hot, and then
cells will

taken out; by
fpicuous and

means the bony

appear more con-

vifible,

being freed from extraneous matter.

To

examine the pores of the skin.

flice as
;

Firft,

cut or pare off

;

with a razor as thin a

pofhble of the upper fkin

then cut

a fecond from the fame place

apply the

laft

to the microfcope.

The

Microscopical Essays,

The
days,

scales of fish fhould be foaked

carefully rubbed, to clean

in water for a few-

and then be

them from the

(kin

and

dirt

which may adhere

to them.

To

procure the fcales of the

eel,

which are a great

curiofity,
till

and the

more

fo as the eel

was not known to have any

they

were difcovered by the microfcope. Take a piece of the fkin of the eel that grows on the fide, and while it is moid fpread it

on a piece of
fcales,

glafs, that it

may
all

dry very fmooth

when
this

thus

dried, the furface will

appear
fort

over dimpled or pitted by the

;

which

lie

under a

of cuticle or thin fkin

fkin

may

be railed with the fharp point of a penknife, together with

flip out,

the fcales which will then eaflly

and thus you may pro-

cure as many

as

you pleafe.*

On

the lizard, the guana, Sec. are

two

fkins

one of thefe
;

is

very tranfparent,
feparating thefe

the other

is

thicker and

more opake

by

we procure two
of

beautiful objecls.

The leaves

many

trees,

and fome
diffect

plants,

when diue&ed,

form a very pleafing

objecl:.

To

them, take a few of the

mod

perfect leaves you can find, and place them in a pan with
;

them remain three weeks or a month without changing the water then take them up, and try if they feel very
clean water
let
;

foft,

and appear almofl rotten

are then to lay

if fo,
flat

they are fufficiently foaked*

You
the
leaf,

them on a

board, and holding them

fide

by

ftalk,

draw the edge of a knife over the upper

of the

which will take off moft of the fkin; turn the

leaf,

and do
the

T
* Martin's Micrograph! a Nova
;

p.

29.

Microscopical Essays.
the fame with the under fide.

When
By
make

the

(km
the

is

taken

off

on

both

fides,

wafh out the pulpy matter, and the

flitting

fibres will
ft a Ik

be ex-

hibited in a beautiful manner.

feparate the anatomized leaf into

you may

two

parts.

The

fkins that are

peeled from the fibres will alfo

a very good object.

The
to

autumn
break.

is

the befl feafon for the foregoing operation, as the fibres

of the leaves are

much

ftronger at that feafon, and

lefs liable

Ores and minerals fhould

all

be carefully wafhed and brufhed

with a fmall brufh, to remove any extraneous matter that

here to them.
Shells

may

ad-

may be ground down on

be difplayed.

a hone,

by which

their internal ftru&ure wifl

To VIEW THE CIRCULATION AND EXAMINE THE

of the blood.
in order to

PARTICLES'

The

principal point the obferver muff

is

aim

at,

view the circulation of the blood,

to procure thofe

fmall animals or infecls that are moll tranfparent, that

by feeing

through them he
them.

may be

enabled to difcover what paffes within

The

particular kinds beft adapted for the purpofe will be

in the defcriptive catalogue at the

enumerated

end of

this

work.

If a fmall eel

is

ufed for this purpofe,

it
;

it

mufl be cleanfed from

in

the flime which covers

after

which

it

may be put either

the

fifh-pan, or a glafs tube filled with water,

and then placed under

the microfcope.

If the eel

is

fmall enough, the circulation

may

be viewed

in the

molt

fatis factory

manner.

Leeuvenhoeck has
figure

given, in his 112th epillle, an accurate defcription of the bloodveflels in part

of the

tail

of an

eel.

The fame

feen in

my

father's Treatife on the Microfcope.

may alfo be The tail of any

other

Microscopical Essays.
other fmall
flip
fifh

147

may be

applied in the fame manner, or tied on a

laid

of

flat

glafs,

and be thus

before

the

micro fcope.
at

Flounders,
in

eels,

and gudgeons, are to be had almoft

B.

any time
eel
is

London. N.
it

By

filling

the tube with water,

when an

ufe.d,

will

in a great

meafure prevent the fliminefs of the eel

from

foiling the glafs.

To
glafs.

view the

particles

of the blood, take a fmall drop of

it

it

when warm, and

fpread
it

as thin as poflible

upon

flat

piece of

By

diluting

a little

with

warm

water,

fome of the larger

will

globules will divide from the fmaller, and

many of them
drop of blood

be
be

fubdivided into fmaller ones

or a

little

may

put into a capillary tube of glafs,

the micro fcope.

and be then prefented before

Mr. Baker

advifes the mixing the blood with

little

warm

milk, which, he fays, will caufe the

;

unbroken par-

ticles to

be very diftinaiy feen

but the

mod accurate obferver of

fays,

thefe particles was

Mr. Hewfon, and he

confider

they have been

flat

termed globules with great impropriety,

bodies.

being in reality

When we

how many

ingenious perfons have

been employed in examining the blood with the beft microfcopes, it appears furprizing that the figure of the. particles fhould be
miftaken

but the wonder

is

lefiencd
till

when we

reflect
is

how many
fubit

obvious things are overlooked,

direcled towards

our attention

particularly

them

and befides, the blood in the

is

human

je&, and in quadrupeds,

fo full of thefe particles, that

is
is

with great difficulty they can be feen feparate until the blood
diluted.
It

was by difcovering a proper method to effed

for his fuccefs.

this that

Mr. Hewfon was indebted

He

diluted the particles

as

with ferum, in which they would remain undrffolved, and could dilute them to any degree w ith the ferum, he could

he

eafily

248

Microscopical Essays,
particles diftincl

examine the

from each other

ex. gr, take

fmall quantity of the ferum of the

human

blood, and (hake a

little

piece of craffamentum in
particles
;

it,

till it is

coloured a

with the red

then with a foft hair pencil fpread a

glafs,

piece of thin

and place

this glafs

little of it on a under the microfcope, in

at'

fuch a manner as not to be quite horizontal, but rather higher

one end than the other

by which means, the ferum

and
as
it

will

flow

from the higher

appear to have

to the lower extremity,

flows

fome of
and
will

the particles will be found to fwim on their

a dark fpot in the

flat fides,

middle
roll

others

will turn

over

from one

fide to the other, as

they

down

the glafs*

An
this

apparatus has been defcribed by feveral authors for view;

ing the circulation of the blood in the mefentery of a frog

by

mftrument curiofity may be

fcience, or

gratified

but

it is

at the

expenee
Noit's

of humanity, and that without any probability of extending the

bounds of

promoting the good of mankind.

rational exeufe can

life,

be given for depriving a poor creature of

he who

the greatefl

boon that nature can bellow, or even to put

it

in pain, but an object of utility.;

does from hence procure

benefits for the higher orders of animated beings,

may be

per-

mitted to exert the

orders of life.

power which he
errs, if

poiTelfes

over the inferior

But he greatly

he thinks thefe powers

may

be ufed to gratify wanton curiofity, or the fports of an inordinate fancy.

T'
affift

God, when he charg'd the Jew

his foe's down-fallen beaft to rife

And when the bulb-exploring boy, that feiz'd The young, to let the parent bird go free,
Prov'i

M rc r ojcopic
Are

a-

Essay s

H9
*

Frov'd he not plainly that his meaner works

yet his care, and have an int'reft
in the univerfal Father's love?"
all

All

**********
*s

would not enter on

my

lift

of friends
fine fenfe3

(Tho' grae'd with polifh'd manners and

Yet wanting

fenfibility) the
fets

man

Who needlefsly
An
That crawls

foot

upon a worm.
crufh the fnail

inadvertent ftep

may

at ev'ning in the public

path

But he that has humanity, forewarn'd, Will tread afide, and let the reptile live."

********** **********
"

A neceffary aSt incurs no blame

fo

Not

when held

within their proper bounds,.

And guiklefs of offence, Or take their paftime in

There they

they range the

air,
:

the fpacious field

are privilege!.
there,
is

And

he that hunts,

Or harms them

guilty of a wrong."

Cowper's Poems,

vol. 2 S b.

vi

Of

5o

Microscopical Essays.
Of Animalcula
in Infusions,
Sec.

Thefe require

little

or no preparation.

The

firft

object

is

to

procure them, the fecond to render them

by the microhowever, may obfervations, few be of ufe. fcope. A Manydrops of water may be examined before any can be found fo
vifible
;.

that if the obferver be too hafly, he

though other parts of trie

them.

may be eafily difappointed, fame water may be fully peopled by

The
ing
;

furface of infufed liquors

is

generally covered with a thin

pelicule,

which

is

eafily

broken, but acquires thicknefs by (landare generally to be found

the greatefl

number of animalcula

in this fuperfioial film*

In fome cafes

it is

necefiary to dilute the infufions

diftilled water,
it

but

this

is

always to be done with

and that water mould be

is

examined
lect

in the

microfcope before

made nfe

of: the neg-

of this precaution has been a fource of many errors.

Animalcula are in general better obferved when the water

little

is

evaporated, as the eye

is

not confufed, nor the attention

feparate one or

diverted by a few objects.

To

two animalcula

from the

reft,

place a fmall drop of water on the glafs near that

;

of the infufion

make

a fmall neck, or gutter, between the two

;

drops with a pin, which will join them together then the inftant you perceive that an animalcuium has traverfed the neck or gutter, and entered the drop, cut off the communication between the

two drops.

Microscopical Essays,
To
it

i^t

procure the eels in pafte, boil a

little

flour
is

and water,

till

comes
;

to the confiftence of fuch a pafte as

ufed by the book-

binders

expofe

it

to the air in

an open

veflel,

and beat

it

toge-

ther from time to time, to prevent the furface thereof growing

hard or mouldy

after a

few days

it

will turn four

then, if
eels

examined with
furface

attention,

you

will find

myriads of

it be on the

To

preferve thefe eels

all

the year,
little

you muft keep the

furface

of the pafte moift, by putting a

time to time to the other.

water or frefh pafte from

Mr. Baker advifes a drop or two of The continual vinegar to be put into the pafte now and then.

motion of the eels, while the furface is moift, will prevent the Apply them to the microfcope upon a pafte getting mouldy.
flip

of

flat glafs,

firft

putting

on
to

it

a drop of water, taken up

iru

by the head of a

pin, for

them

fwim

To make

an infufion of pepper.

Bruife as

much common
it

black pepper as will co ver the bottom of an open jar, and lay

thereon about half an inch thick

veflel as will rife

pour

as

much

foft

water in the

about an inch above the pepper.

;

The pepper
which they
few days,

and water are then to be well (hook together

muft not be
ftirred,

after

but be

left

expofed to the

air for a

when

a thin pelicule will be formed on the furface of the water,

containing millions of animalcula.

The
ideas

obferver

mould be

careful not to

form a judgment of the

nature, the ufe,

and the operations of fmall animalcula, from

affiftance

which he has acquired by confidering the properties of larger

for,

animals

by the

of glafles,

we

are introduced

as' it

were

Microscopical Essays.
were into a new world, and become acquainted not only with a. few unknown animals, but with numerous fpecies thereof, which
are fo lingular in their formation and habits, that without the
cleareft proofs

even their exiftenee would not be credited

and

while they afford frefh inftances of the Creator's power, they alfo

give further proofs of the limits and weaknefs of the

underftanding.

human

Directions for finding, feeding, the Polypes.

and preserving

Thefe little animals are to be found upon

plants,
ftones,

all forts

of aquatic

upon branches of trees,

pieces of board,
;

rotten leaves,,

and other fubfiances that lie in the water they are alfo to be found upon the bodies of feveral aquatic animals, as on the
water-fnail,

on

feveral

pecies of the monoculus,

&c
it is

they genea very good

rally fix themfelves to thefe

by

their

tail,

fo that

method when you

are in fearch of polypes, to take

up a

great

many
them
ftill

of thefe fubfiances, and put them in a glafs full of water.

If there be any polypes adhering to thefe T

you

will foon perceive

is

ftretching out their arms, efpecially if the glafs

let

ftand

for a while without

moving
firft

it

for the polypes,

which con-

tract themfelves

on being

taken out of the water, will foon

reft.

extend themfelves again when they are at

They

are to

be fought

for in the corners

of

ditches, puddles,

and ponds, being generally' driven into

thefe with the pieces

of

wood
may,
where

or leaves to which they have attached themfelves.

therefore,

They
are

be fought

for in vain at

one period, in a place

abundance.

at another

you

{hall find

them

in

They

more

Microscopical Essays.
more
eafily perceived in a ditch
at

1^3

tom, than
winter
:

another time.

when the fun mines on the botThey are feldom to be met with in

about the month of

May

they begin to appear and

increafe.

They
gently;

are

generally to

be found
ft

in

waters

which move

for neither a rapid

ream, nor ftagnant waters, ever

abound with them.

by
their tails,

As they

are always fixed to

fome fubftance

and are very rarely loole

little
;

in the water, taking

up

water only can fignify but

a circumftance which has pro-

bably been the caufe of much difappointment to thofe

fearched for them.

who have

The green
firetched out

polypes are generally about half an inch long

;

when

thofe of the fecond

and

third fort
;

are

between

three quarters of an inch and an inch in length

are to be found at times

though fome

w hich

are an inch and a half long.

Heat and cold has the fame

that
it

effecl

upon

thefe

little

creatures,

upon thofe of a larger fize. They are animated and enlivened by heat, whereas cold renders them faint and languid they mould therefore be kept in fuch a degree of heat, that the
has
;

water

may

not be below temperate.

It is

convenient for
fur face

many

experiments to fufpend a polype

from the
in

of the water.

To

effect- this,

take a hair pencil

one hand, and hold a pointed

quill in

the other; with the

it

pencil loofen the polype from the receiver in which

is

kept,

and gradually
rior

raife

it

near the

op of the water,

fo that the antelift

it

end may be next the point of the pencil; then

out of
the-

254

Microscopical
it

Essays-.
;

the water, and keep

fo for a

minute

after which, thru ft the

little

point of the pencil, together with the anterior end, by

little

and

under water,

until
tail

no more than about

remains above
it's

half the tenth of an

;

inch of the polype's

furface

at this inftanr,

with the pointed quill remove that part of the polype from the
pencil

which

is

already in the water, and at the fame time blowit

ing againft the polype,

the water.

will

be loofened, and remain out of

When
fome

the polypes were

flrft

difcovered,

Mr. Trembley had

difficulty

to find out that food which was proper for them

but he fqon difcovered, that a fmall fpecies of the millepede

anfwered the purpofe very well

the pulices aquatices have alfo

been recommended.

The

fmall

red worms", which are to be

found on the mud-banks of the

fhores, anfwer the purpofe alfo
;

Thames,

particularly near the

they are eaiily found

when

the

tide is out, when they rife in fuch fwarms on the furface of the mud, that it appears of a red colour. Thefe worms are an exIf a fufficient quantity is gathered in cellent food for the polype.

November, and put

polypes
all

into a large glafs full of water, with three ot

four inches of earth at the

the winter.

bottom, you

will

have

fupply for the

They may

alfo be fed with

common

worms, with the larva of gnats and other infects, and even with butchers meat, &c. if it be cut fmall enough.
River, or any foft water, agrees with

them

hut that which

kills

is.

hard and (harp prevents their thriving, and generally

in a

them

few days.

The worms

with which they are fed

mould be

always 'cleanfed before you ieed the polypes with them.

Microscopical Essays.
The
in a

155
;

polypes are

commonly infefted with

little lice

from thefe

iris neceflary to free them, in order to preferve

your polypes

good

ftate

of health.

They may be
5

cleanfed from the lice

by rubbing them with

if

a hair pencil

this

cannot be ealily done,

:

without they have affixed themf Ives to fome fubftanoe

they are fufpended from the furface of the water, you
fix

fo that

mud

en;

deavour to get them to

themfelves to a piece of packthread

when

they are fattened thereto, you

may

then rub them with a

thread.

hair pencil, without loofening

them from the

the

The
may be

lice

which torment
alfo

polype

are

not
it's

only very
fize
:

numerous, but they are

faid to
is

very large relative to

they

be nearly as large with refpecl to them, as a comIf they are not

mon

beetle

to us.

rubbed

off,

they foon cover

their bodies,

and

in

little

time totally deftroy them.

To

preferve the polypes in health,

in,

it

is

alfo neceflary often to

change the water they are kept

have done eating
the polypes
veffel
;

and

particularly after they

off,

it is

not fufficient to pour the water

out,

all

mould be taken

and the bottom and fides of the

;

rubbed from the {limy fediment adhering thereto this is caufed by their feces, and is fatal to them if not cleaned
away.

The

fasces often

occafion a.fpecies of mortification, which

progrefs

increafes every

day

it's

may be
out,
firft

flopped by cutting off

loofen their
tails

the difeafed part.

To take them
;

from

the fides or bottom of the glafs

then take them up one by one,

with a

quill cut in the

fhape of a fcoop, and place them in anoif

ther glafs

with clean water;

they cling to the

will

quill, let it

remain a minute or two in water, and they

themfelves.

foon difengage

'

They

56

Microscopical Essays.
are preferred belt in large glaffes, that hold three or four

They
renewed

quarts of water; for in a glafs of this fize the water need not be
fo often, particularly if the faeces

are taken out

it

from
in

time to time with the feathered end of a pen, to which

adheres
;

readily
is

and

further, the trouble of feeding each individual

fome meafure
worms, and
let

faved, as

you need only throw

in

parcel of

the polypes divide

them

for themfelves.

To obferve
of this
little

with accuracy the various habitudes, pofitions, &c.

it

animal,

will
;

be neceffary to place fome of them in

then,

narrow cylindrical
Fig. 3, Plate VI.

glafles

by means of the microfcope,

it

you may obferve

;

exerting

all it's

aHons of
v

life

w ith
T

eafe

and convenience

the facility with which the lens of

the fore-mentioned microfcope

may be moved and placed

in

any

direction,

renders

it

a moft convenient inftrument for ex-

amining any objecl that requires to be viewed in water.

very proper to dry fome of them, and place them be;

It is'alfo

tween
little

talcs in a Aider

this

however requires fome

dexterity,
it

and

practice

tho' when executed with fuccefs,

fully

rewards
it

the pains of the obferver.

fmall concave lens,

Chufe a proper polype, and put

;

in a

with a drop of water

when

it

is

extended,

and the

tail fixed,

pour

off a little of the water,

and then plunge

it with the concave into fome fpirit of wine contained in the bowl of a large fpoon by this it is inftantly killed, the arms and body
;

contraaing more or

lefs

rub
it

it

gently, while in fpirits, with a

lice*

fmall hair pencil, to cleanfe

from the

The

difficulty

now

begins
fpirits,

for the parts

of the polype, on

being taken out of the

immediately cling together, fothat

it

Microscopical Essays.
ft is

57

not practicable to extend the body, and feparate the arms on fo that the only method the talc, without tearing them to pieces in the fpirits this may be is, to adjuil them upon the talc while
:
;

done by
lies in

flipping the talc under the

fpirits,

the

body of the polype, while it and difplaying it's arms thereon by the fmall
;

hair pencil

and a pair of nippers

it,

then

lift

the talc, with the

it

polype upon
pers in the

out of the

fpirits;

take hold of

with the nipwith the right

they

left

hand, dip the pencil in the

fpirits

hand, and
lie in

therewith difpofe of the ftveral parts, that

may

a convenient manner, at the fame time braining away any now let it dry, which it the talc lice that may be feen upon does in a little time, and place the talc carefully in the hole of
;

the Aider.

prevent the upper talc and ring preffing on the polype, you mull cut three pieces of cork, about the bignefs of a gum pin's head, and the depth of the polype, and fix them by

To

in

a triangular petition, partly on the edges of the faid partly to the fides of the ivory hole itfelf the upper talc
;

talc,

may

then be laid on thefe corks, and prefTed

down by

the ring as

ufuaL*

Of Vegetables.
wifh I could give the reader a fatisfa&ory account of all the preparations which are requifite to fit for the microfcope the obI

jects

of the vegetable kingdom.

this

Dr. Hill

is

the only writer

who
his

has handled
<

fubjea.

(hall,

therefore, extraft

from
he

Treatife
;

on the Conftruaion of Timber,"

what

has
the

faid

this,

together with the improvements I have

made on

cutting

* Baker on

the Polypes.

58

Microscopical Essays.
fubject.,

cutting engine, will enable the reader to purfue the

and

extend

it

further,

both for

his

own

pleafure,

and the advantage of

the public.

The Manner of obtaining the Parts

separate.

of

a Shoot

In the beginning of April, take a quantif y of young branches

from the

fcarlet oak,

and other

trees.

Thefe are

firft

cut into
left

lengths, of the

growth of different feafons

and then part are

in
tikis

entire, part fpht,

and the

reft

quartered,

Mate they are

put into a wicker bafket, with large openings, or of loofe work,

and a heavy {tone

dle of the bafket,
at times
it is

is

put in with them

it is

a rope

is

tied to the

han-

and

thrown into a b^ook of running water:

little

taken up, and expofed a

to the air
;

it

is

fre-

quently fhook about under water, to wafh off filth

ten days the flicks are examined.

and once

in

By

degrees the parts loofeo from one another

and by gentle

rubbing in a bafon of water, juft warmed, they will be fo far

feparated, that a pencil brufh will perfect the bufinefs,
pieces of various
in this
fize,

and afford
part will
;

pure, dijlincl, and clean.

One
another

way

feparate at one time,

and another

at

but by

returning the flicks to the water, and repeating the operation,

in the courfe of four or five weeks, every part
diftinct.

may be
;

obtained

They
:

are be ft

examined immediately
for repeated inquiries,

but

if

any one
in

willies to preferve
this

them

it

may be done

manner

diflblve half

an ounce of alum in two quarts of

water; drop the pieces thus feparated, for a few moments, into
this folution,

then dry them upon paper, and put them up in

vials

Ml CROSCOPICAL
vials

ESS A
fpirit

YS.

59

of

fpirit

of wine.

Nothing but

of wine can preferve

thefe tender bodies.

To PREPARE THE RlND FOR OBSERVATION.

As
trees,

the veflels of the rind are of different diameters in various

though

their conltruction
it

and that of the blebs

this

is

perfectly

the fame in

all,

will

be beft to chufe for

largeft.

purpofe the rind

of a tree wherein they are

maple

is

finely

mi ted.

piece

The rind of the afh-leavcd of this may be obtained of two

Such

inches long, and

will very fuccefsfully anfwer the intention.

a piece being prepared without alum or fpirit, but dried from the water in which it had been macerated, it is to be impregnated
with lead in the following manner, to
their colour.

mew

the apertures

by

Diffolve one

dram of fugar of lead

in

an ounce and a half of

through paper, and pour it into a tea-cup. the lower end of the piece of Clip off a thin flice of what was plunge it near an inch deep into rind as it grew on the tree, and
water;
filter this

the liquor

keep

it

upright between two pieces of

:

flick, fo

that

one half or more may be above the water whelm a wine and water glafs over the tea-cup, and fet the whole in a warm place. When it has Hood two days, take it out, and clip off all that part

which was

in the liquor,

and throw

it

away.

The

circumftances here mentioned,

trivial as

they feenx, muff

be attended to: the operation will not fucceed, even if the covering- g lafs be omitted it keeps a moifl atmofphere about the
;

rind,

and makes

it's

veflels fupple.

While

i6o

Microscopical Essays.
this
is

While
lime,

(landing, put into a bafon

;

and an ounce of orpiment

;

two ounces of quick pour upon them a pint and a

half of boiling water

ftir
it

the whole together, and

will

when
is
:

it

has

flood a day and night,

be

fit

for ufe.

This

the liquor
it

probatorius vini of fome of the

lead

German

chemifls'
it,

difcovers
it

when wines

are adulterated with

and

will

fhew

any

where.

Put a

little

of

this liquor in
it.

a tea-cup, and plunge the piece of

rind half-way into

In the former part of

this

experiment, the veffels of the rind

itfelf

have been

filled

with a folution of lead, that makes of

no

vifible alteration in

them

but

this colourlefs

impregnation, when

the orpiment lixivium gets to

veffels

it,

becomes of a deep brown; the

it;

themfelves appear fomewhat the darker for

real openings,

but thefe

dots,

which are

now

are feen to be plainly fuch,

the colour being perfectly vifible in

in the veffels.

them, and

much

darker than

This objecl mufl be always viewed dry.

If a piece of the rind, thus impregnated, be gently

rubbed
be able

between the
in

fingers,

till

the parts are feparated,

we
all

fhali

one place or other to get a view of the veffels the films which form the blebs between them.

round, and of

Every part of the rind, and every coat of it, even the interare filled with a ftitial place between it's innermoft coat and bark, The very courfe and progrefs of the fluid may be fine fluid.
ftewn
in
this

part,

even by an eafy
this

preparation

only that

different rinds

mufl be fought for

purpofe, the veffels in fome

being

Microscopical Essays,
being larger than in others.
the whole progress

xSi

Repeated

trials

have (hewn

me

that

may

beeafily marked in the three following

kinds, with only a tincture of cochineal.

Put half an ounce of cochineal,

fpirit

in

powder, into half a pint of

of wine

fei it in

warm

place,

and make

it

often for four

days; then
this into a

filter

off the clear tinclure.

fet

Put an inch depth of

pieces of the rind of am,

cup, and

upright in

it

white willow, and ozier, prepared as has been directed, by maceration in water
kinds.
;

for in that

way one
them

trouble does for a hundred

Let an inch of the rinds

alfo ftand

up out of the

tinclure.

After twenty-four hours take

out, clip off the part

which

was immerfed in the

fluid,

and fave the

reft for obfervation.

To PREPARE THE
Cut the pieces in a
fit

BLEA.
leaves
fee all

feafon, either juft before the

firft

of Spring, or in the midfummer mooting time.

;

Then we

the wonders of the ftruclure the thoufands of mouths which open throughout the courfe of thefe innumerable veffels, to pour
their fluid into the interftitial matter.

Thefe

veffels,

which are in nature

citterns of fap for the feed-

ing the growth of the whole

capable of being
veffels in
filled

tree, are fo large, that

they are

with coloured wax, in the manner of the

anatomical injections

objects for the microfcope,

and this way they afford pleafing and give excellent opportunities of
;

tracing their courfe and ftruclure.

A M ethos

162

Microscopical Essays.
of filling the Sap Vessels of Plants.
{hoots of the fcarlet and other oaks are to be
;

A Method
A
great

many

taken off in the fpring

they mull be cut into pieces of about two

cutting they muft
are to fland

inches in length, and immediately from the

drop

into

fome warm

rain

water:

in this they
little.

twenty-four hours, and then be boiled a

When
When
as

taken out,

they are to be tied on

air pafTes freely,

firings,

and hung up

a place where the

but the fun does not mine.

to be gently melted in

they are
ufed for

perfectly dry, a large quantity of green

wax, fuch

is

the feals of law deeds,

fet in

is

an earthen pipkin

water

the water to be heated and kept boiling.

As foon
fre-

as the

wax

runs, the flicks are to be put in,

and they are

in this

quently to be flirred about.

They muft be kept

is

flate

about an hour, and then the pipkin

water, and fet

to be taken out
to

of the

wax wax being added from time to

boiling for

upon a naked fire, where it is two or three hours frefh

;

be kept with the

fupplies of the

fame

time.

After

this it is to

be removed from the

fire,
;

and the

flicks

im-

mediately taken out with a pair of nippers when they are cold, Both ends of the rough wax about them is to be broken off.

each

flick are to

be cut off half an inch long, and thrown a way,

and the middle pieces faved. Thefe are then to be cut in fmaller lengths, fmoothed at the ends with a fine chiflel, and many of

them

fplit in

various thicknefTes.

Thus

are obtained preparations, not only of great ufe, but of

a wonderful beauty.
jects as well as the

Many trees
;

this

way

afford

handfome obveffels are

r-J
few,.,

oak

and

in

fome, where the fap

Microscopical Essays,
few, large,
in,

163

and

diflincl,

the

fplit

pieces referable fhiped fatins,

way

fcarce to be credited.
veflels are

It is in

fuch that the outer coats

of thefe

mod happily

of all to be examined.

The Method

preparing Salts and Saline Substances FOR THE VIEWING THEIR CONFIGURATIONS.
or

Diffolve the fubjeft to be examined in

river or rain water
eafily diffblvable,

no

larger a quantity of
it
5

than

is

fufficient to faturate

if it is

body
the

make
it is

ufe of cold water, otherwife

as

make

water

warm

or hot, or even boiling, according

perfectly diflolved, let
it

neceffary.
till,

After

reft

you find it for fome hours,

are
;

if

over-charged, the redundant

faline

particles

pre-

cipitated,

and

fettle

at the

bottom, or moot into cry H als

by

which means you

ftrength at one

are moft likely to have a folution of the fame

time as at another; that

is,

a folution fully
:

charged with as
thefe

much

as

it

can hold up, and no more

and by
often

precautions the
:

configurations
if

appear
lefs

alike,

how

foever tried

whereas,

the water be

faturated, the pro;

more uncertainty and if it be examined before fuch feparation and precipitation of the redundant falts, little more will be feen than a confufed mafs
portions, at different times, will be fubjea to

of

cryftals.

The
goofe

folution being thus prepared, take

quill,

cut in

fafhion of a fcoop, and place

up a drop of it with a it on a flat flip of

glafs, of about three quarters of an inch in width, and between three and four inches long, fpreading it on the glafs with the quill, in either a round or oval figure, till it appears a quarter of

an inch or more

in diameter,

and

fo {hallow as to rife very little

above

164

Microscopical Essays.
glals.

above the furface of the

level as

When it

is

fo difpofed,

hold

it as-

you can over the

clear part of a fire that is not too fierce,

or over the flame of a candle, at a diftance proportionable to the

degree of heat

it

requires, (which experience only can dire 6V)

and

watch

it

very

carefully

till

you difcover the

faline

particles

beginning to gather and look white, or of fome other colour, at

the extremities of the edges
;

then having adjufted the microfcope

before-hand for
is

it s

reception,

armed with the fourth

it

glafs,

which

the

fitteft

for moll of thefe experiments, place

under your

eye,

and bring itexaclly to the focus of the magnifier; and after

fix

running over the whole drop,

your attention on that

fide

where you obferve any increafe or pufhing forwards of cryftalline

matter from the circumference towards the center.

This motion

is

extremely flow at the beginning, unlefs the drop

has been over-heated, but quickens as the water evaporates, and

in

many

kinds, towards the conclufion, produces configurations

with a fwiftnefs inconceivable, compofed of an infinity of parts,

which are adjufted

to each other with an elegance, regularity,

and

beyond what the exafteft pencil in the world, guided by the ruler and compafs, can ever equal, or the raoft luxuriant
order,

imagination* fancy.

When
for a

aclion once begins, the eye cannot be taken

off,

even
;

moment, without lohng fomething worth obfervation

till

for

the figures alter every inflant,

in

the whole proeefs

is

over; and

many

forts, after all

feems at an end, new forms

arife, different

entirely

from any that appeared before, and which probably are owing to fome final quantity of fait of another kind, which the
I

other feparates from, and leaves to

a6l, after itfelf has

done

and

Microscopical Essays,
in

^5
few

fome fubje&s

three or four different forts are obfervable,

or none being fimple and homogeneous.

When

the configurations are fully formed, and

all

the water

them are ibon deilroyed again by the evaporated, moifture or aftion of the air upon them their points and angles lofe their {fiarpnefs, become uneven and defaced, and moulder as it were away; but fome few are permanent, and by being inkinds of
;

m oft

clofed between glaffes, they

years.

may be

preferved months or even

It

happens oftentimes that a drop of a

faline folution

can

hardly be fpread on the

hip of glafs, by reafon of the

little

glafs's

fmoothnefs, but breaks into

the furface greafy
:

globules, as

it

the

way

to prevent this

is,

would do were by rubbing the

broken drop with your finger over the glafs, fo as to leave the on which fmeared place, when dry, anoglafs fmeared with it ther drop of the folution may be fpread very eafily in what form
;

one

pleafes.

It

fometimes happens,

that

when

a heated drop

is

placed

properly for examination, the obferver finds he can diftinguifb nothing which is owing to faline fleams that rife from the drop
;

cover, and obfcure the object glafs, and therefore

diately be wiped away with a
foft cloth'

mud imme-

or leather.

In

all

examinations by the microfcope of faline folutions, even

in the day-time,

though made

you mull

life

candle; for the

configurations being exceedingly tranfparent, are rendered

much

more

diflinguifhable

by the brown

light a candle affords,

than by

i66
the

Microscopical Essays.
;

more white and tranfparent day-light and befides, either by moving the candle or turning the miorofcope, fuch light may be
varied or directed juft as the fubjecl requires.

no kinds of microfcopes are fit for thefe obfervations, but fuch as have an open ftage, whereon the flips of glafs, with the liquor upon them, may
It

may be alfo proper

to take notice, that

be placed

readily,

and in a perfect horizontal pofition

freely,

and

moreover, where they can be turned about

difordering the fluid.

and without

Microscopical Essays,

CHAP,
Of Insects
in

V.

general.

NATURAL
fent century

hiftory has

been more cultivated in the prethofe which have preceded

it.

than in
firft

all

Many

men, of the
eyes

rank in

literature,

have not difdained to

this fcience offers

become labourers
day to the

in the vaft field

which

every

of an accurate and attentive obferver.

The

animal, the vegetable, and the mineral kingdoms, have been

examined with the greateft care and that confufion and perplexity, which, from a view of the immenfe variety of individuals which each kingdom contained, it feemed natural to
;

apprehend, has been removed, by introducing fyftematic order

into this branch of fcience
;

duals have been

diftributed into dalles

diftinct

by which means the various indiviand genera, and we are

now

and accurate ideas of them. To nicety of difcrimi nation which the and the fame fyftematic plan, arifes from it, we are indebted for the difcovery and defcriptioa
enabled to form

of many new fpecies

in

each kingdom..

Amidfl the numerous objects which crowd in upon the natural hiftorian, and engage his attention, infects have not been neglected
tribe,
;

and though they are the

for the

mod

numerous of the animal

nature

and

moft part very fmall, yet the knowledge of their

Microscopical Essays.
nature and wonderful ceconomy has been cultivated with unremitting ardour.

Some
them
:

authors have

confined themfelves

to

divide and feparate

into various claffes,

characteriftic differences

and defcribe their others have been employed in tracing

fo that the nature, habits,
life,

their habits

of

life,

or in exploring the wonderous mechanifm of

;

their frame
peculiarities

and

ftructure
ffate

and many

of their

of

are

now

well

known.

In number, Angularity of appearance, and variety of form,

infects

exceed every other part of animated nature.

but amongft

Earth,

air,

and

water, are filled with hods thereof; a far greater part of

;

which

are invifible to the naked eye

all

this

variety,

we

perceive the fame regularity, and can trace the footfteps of that

love and wifdom which fo ftrongly marks every

work of God.
always find
eternal hand,

In contemplating the works of the

his

Ge

tor,

we

(hall

wifdom and

his love in

pages written by his

own

in characters legible to every eye,

After an attentive examination of the nature and fabric of both

the leafl and largeft animals,
I

cannot

(fays the truly

lefs

great

and

moft excellent Swammerdam) but allow the

haps a fuperior, degree of dignity.

an equal, per-

Whoever

duly confiders the

conduct and

inftinct

of the one, with the manners and actions of

the other, muff acknowledge all are under the direction and conwhich, as in the troul of a fupreme and particular intelligence
;

largeft it extends beyond the limits of our comprehenfion, efcapes

our refearches in the

larger animals,

fmalleft.

If,

while we difTect with care the

we

are filled with

wonder

at the elegant dif-

pofition of their limbs,

the inimitable order of their mufcles,

and

the regular direction of their veins, arteries,

and nerves to what

;

Microscopical Essays.
what an height
is

i6g
difcover
all

our aflonifhment raifed,

when we

thefe parts arranged in the lea ft, in the

How
reflect;

is

it

poflible

but what we

mud

fame regular manner. ftand amazed, when we

that thofe

little

animals, whofe bodies are (mailer than the

point of the differing knife, have mufcles, veins, arteries, and

every other part

very diminutive,

common

to the larger animals ? Creatures fo

that our hands are

fufficiently

not delicate enough t6

manage, nor our eyes

acute to fee them.

All beings are perfect, confidered in themfelves

they

all

anfwer one end.

are the

The

determinations or qualities of each being

means

relative to this end.

Thofe means which are of

an exalted nature anfwer a nobler or higher purpofe.

meafure of perfection
bears to the whole.
confifts in the relation

The

which every being

When
upon

confidered with
j

refpecl; to

the Creator, ail creatures are

a level

and

yet, as creatures,

even the molt defpicable

bear fuch relation to their Creator, as to

luable to their fellow-creatures,

make them
influence.

highly va-

who

are themfelves only valuable

by fharing and partaking of the Divine

As

the harall

mony and

infinity

of the eternal Artift are imprefled on

his

works, and as outwardly

we can

find

no bounds,
''

fo

inwardly we
flight

can find no end of

art

and beauty.

Let us then not

fo

or

deem

that

little,

in

which immenfity
is

is

confpicuous

or that

trivial, in

which there
but

fuch a mamfeflation of infinite wifdom

rather

and power

let us

X
* Brooke's Univerfal Beauty,
a

"

Mufe

poem.

Microscopical Essays.

To
The

"

Mufe upon

his fldll difplayed

(Infinite fkill) in all that

he has made

trace in nature's

mo ft

minute delign,
pow'r divine
;

fignature and

ft

amp of

Contrivance

intricate, exprefs'd

with eafe 3

Where unafiifted fight no beauty fees ; The fhapely limb, and lubricated joint,
Within the fmall dimenlions of a point
Mufcle and nerve miraculoufly fpun,
His mighty work,
j

who

fpeaks and

it is

done,

Th'

invifible in things fcarce feen reveal'd,

To whom an atom is an ample field. To wonder at a thou land infect forms,

Thefe hatch'd, and thofe refufcitated worms,

New

life

ordain'd,

and brighter fcenes to

fhare,
5

Once prone on

earth,

now buoyant upon

air.

'*

The name of

infecl

has been appropriated to thefe fmall ani-

mals on account of the fe&ions or divifions in the bodies of the greater number of them, from whence the parts feem to be
joined together by a kind of neck.
find any general term
fe&s, as
that (hall
It
is

perhaps impoftible to
in-

embrace the whole genera of

many

circumftances muft be defcribed before

we can

attain an exaft notion of thefe animals and their conftitution.

InfeBs are by moft writers confidered as divided into four the caput or head, the thorax or trunk, the principal parts
;

abdomen or

belly,

and artus or limbs

a perfed knowledge of
thefe

* Cowper's Poems,

vol. I. p. 261.

Microscopical Essays.
thefe parts,

and

their feveral fubdi virions,

is

requifite for thofe

who are defirous of forming accurate ideas of thefe little animals, or who wifh to arrange them in their proper clafTes.

The head
or joint;
it is

is

affixed to the thorax

by a

fpecies

of articulation

the principal feat of the fenfes, and contains the

;

rudiments of the brain *

tennse, a forehead,

it is

furnifhed with a mouth, eyes, an-

a throat, and {lemmata.

is

In the greater part

of

infecls the
it

head

diftin&ly divided from the thorax, but in

it.

others

coalefces with

The head of fome

;

infecls

is

very

large in proportion to their bodies

the proportion between the

;

head of the fame change

infecl is
it

not always the fame

in the caterpillars

with horny heads

their fkin,

is

generally fmall before they moult or

larger after each moulting.
it's

but

much

The

hardnefs of the exterior part of the head prevents

before the change,
fmall
;

growth

it is

confequently, relative to the body, very

is

but when the infecl

difpofmg
retires

itfelf for

the change, the

firft

internal fubftance of the

head

inwards to the

ring of

the neck, where

it

has

animal quits the {kin,

room to expand itfelf; fo that when we are furprifed with a head twice the

the
for-

mer
is

fize

and

as the infeci neither eats

is

nor grows while the head

forming, there

this

further circumftanee to be remarked,

body and the head have each their particular time of While the head expands and grows, the body does not growth.
that the

grow
fame

at

all

when

'the

body

increafes, the

head remains of the

kinds of infecls
for the

fize,

without any change.

as well
as

The heads of all

moll

form very pleafmg

opake microfcope.
,

diverfirled objecls

2
p. 18.

The

* Fabric ius Philofophia Entomologica,

Microscopical Essays.
The mouth
will find
it

is

a part of the infect to which the naturalift

:

neceflary to pay a very particular attention

Fabri-

cius goes fo far as to alien, that without a

thorough knowledge
it

of the mouth,

it's

form, and various appendages,

will

be im-

poflible ever to discriminate with accuracy

one

infeft

from anas great

other.

In the ftruclure of the

difplayed
:

mouth

confiderable art and wifis

dom

is

the diverfity in the figure

It is

aim oft

as the variety

of fpecies.

ufually placed in the fore part of

;

the head,

extending

fomewhat downwards
infects, it is

in

the chermes,

coccus, and fome other

placed under the breaft.

Some

infects

have

which they

bruife

mouths armed with ftrong jaws, with and tear their food however fine and delicate
their
:

thefe organs

may

appear, they are really hard, and in fome

fpecies fuffieiently ftrong to pierce the hardeft

wood.

Others are

furnifhed with a kind of tube or tongue, at one time moveable,

at another fixed
:

with this they fuck the juices of the

is

flowers.*

In fome again the tongue

fo fhort as to
it

appear to us incapable
oeftri

of anfwering the purpofe for which

appear to have no mouth.

was formed, and the

The
point.

roftrum, or probofcis,

is

the

mouth drawn out

clafs
it

to a rigid

In

many

infects

of the hemiptera

is

bent down?

ward towards the

breafl

and

belly.

The jaws
at others

are generally
;

two

in

number, fometimes four, and

:

more

they are placed in an horizontal direction

is

the

inner edge, in fome infecls,

teeth.

ferrated, or furnifhed with frnall

The
by the

tongue

is

in general a taper

and compact inflrument, ufed

infect to extract the alimentary juices

on which

it

feeds

fome

Microscopical Essays.
feme can extend or contracl
terity
;

ijg
theirs with dex-

it;

others roll

up

in

feme

it is

inclofed in a fheath, with the pointed

end of
and

which they pierce the fub fiances which contain

then extract the
j lice

their food,
it is

with their tongue

;

in

many
and

placed in
;

a groove under the belly

lar

taper and fpiral in the butterfly

tubu-

and

flefhy in the fly

in

feme

it

is

long,

in others fhort,

but in

all

affording

a fund of amufement. for the mierofcope.

M. De Geer *

has given us an account of a very curious cirfaules.

eumflance concerning the tongue of the papillon de

f Havit

ing cut off the tongue from the butterfly, almoft as foon as

was
at

emancipated from the

chryfalis,

it
:

moved and
an hour

rolled itfelf
it

up

intervals for a confiderable time

off, it
it

had been cut repeated the fame motions, recommencing them every time
after

was touched.
freed,

The fame
from the

effect

does not follow

if

the butterfly

has been

chryfalis

a few days.

The
there

ftructure of

the eye

is,

in all creatures, a

molt admirable

piece of mechanifm, but in none

is

more

fo than in thofe of infe&s

no part of

thefe fmall creatures

which exhibits more

which they are organized, and The (hews how many wonders efcape the natural fight of man. eyes are very different in different fpecies, varying, in number,
clearly the prodigious art with
fituation, connection, figure,

and fimplicity of conftruclion.

one

The

greater part have

two

eyes, but in the

monoculus they approach

;

fo near to each other as to appear like

the gyrinus has four

eyes, the fcorpion fix, the fpider eight, and. the fcolopendra three.

The
* De Geer, Memoires pour
t Papilio Antiopa, Lin.
fervir

a L'Hiftoire des Infedles, torn.

p.

I.

p. 77.

Syft.

Nat.

776,

165.

174

Microscopical Essays.
eyes are generally convex
is
;

The

they have no eye-brows, the

outer tunic

hard and tranfparent, having no external motion,

the genus of canceri or crabs excepted.

The

eyes of the greater

to be cut

number appear, when examined by the microfcope,

into a multitude of
little

planes or facets, like the facets of a

the"

diamond, having to the naked eye

appearance of net-work.

Each of thefe

properties of an eye.

pofleis the powers and Leeuenhoek counted 3181 of thefe facets As the eyes of in the cornea of a beetle, 8000 in thofe of a fly. in feels are immoveable, they would have loll light of many ob-

fmall facets

is

fuppofed to

jects, if their

eyes had been framed like thofe of other animals

eafily

but by means of their multiplied eyes, they can

view

fur-

rounding objects

nor

is it at all

improbable, that, as objects do

not appear double to our eyes, but that they are llrengthened,

and many

falfe

appearances are corrected by the ufe of both

fo

the numerous inlets to fight in an infect

may

increafe their field

of view, augment

the intenfity of the light, and be productive of

other advantages, of which

we can form no

conception.

The

eyes of infects differ in colour, fome being found of every colour, and of inexpremble beauty and brightnefs.

The antenna

are

fine

and {lender

horns,

confifling

of
are

feveral articulations,

moveable

jn various directions.

They

beautiful in form, of a delicate ftructure, and are placed in the

fore part of the head:

they vary in different

infects,

not only in

their fhape, their length, their bulk, but alfb in the

number of
generally
dif-

their articulations.
differ

The

antennae of the male

:

infecl;

from thofe of the female

they form one of the rnofl

tinguifhing characterises of infects, and one of the means of judging to what genus they belong. The greatefl number of

infects

Microscopical Essays.
infects

175

have only two antennae

;

the onifcus, the pagurus, and

latter

aftacus have four

indeed Fabricius gives fix to the

little

Of
have

the ufe they are to thefe

in forming them,

animals, or the end of the Creator

:

we

are altogether ignorant

fome

writers
;

conjectured that they were the organs of fmell and hearing

others

have fuppofed that they were appropriated to a feeling more

delicate than

our own, and

ambient

fenfible to the lead

motion or
:

dis-

turbance in the
fects

fluid in

which they move

feveral inreft.
:

cover their eyes with them

when they

take their

They
.

are characterized

by

naturalifts under the following

names

Setaceous

are thofe that, like a brittle,

grow gradually taper

towards their point or extremity.

Filiform, thread fhaped, and of an uniform

thicknefs.

Moniliform
a
feries

thefe are of a regular thicknefs, but confift of

of knobs, like a necklace of beads.

Clavated, formed
bafe to the extremity.

like a club, increafing gradually

from the

Capitated;
articulation
is

thefe are alfo

formed

like a club,

but the

lafl

larger than the

reft, fmiftiing

with a kind of capital

or head.

Fissiles

thefe are like the former, only that the

head

is

di-

vided into different parts or laminae.

Perfoliate;
* Fabricius Philofophia Entomologies, p. tg.

Microscopical Essays.
Perfoliate
their center.
;

in thefe the

head

is

divided horizontally, but

the laminae are connected by a kind of thread palling through

Pectinate

thefe

have

fevefal lateral appendages,

and ap-

pear like a feather.

Aristat^e, fuch

as

have a

lateral hair,

which

is

either naked,

or furnilhed with fmaller hairs.

Befides the foregoing terms, the antennae are called fhort {bre-

when they are fhorter than the body; mediocres, or middling, when they are of the fame length and longiores when they are longer.
viores)
;

Near the mouth

rally four in

there

is

alfo a fpecies

of fmall filiform

ar-

ticulated antennas, called the palpi, or feelers; they are gene-

number, fometimes

fix

they are placed under and

at the fides of the

mouth, which

fituation, together
;

with their

them from the antennae they are in continual motion, the animal thrufting them in every matter, as a hog would it's nofe, when in fearch of food. Some have fuppofed them to be a kind of hand to affift in holding the food
fize, fufficiently diftinguifh

when

it is

near the mouth.

The forehead

occupies the upper part of the head, between

the eyes, the mouth, and the thorax.

The stemmata,

or

crown, three elevated

mining hemipart of

fpheric fpots refembling eyes, and placed

upon the upper

clafs.

the head, as in molt of the hymenoptera

The

Microscopical Essays;
The trunk
is

177
;

fituated

between the head and the abdomen

it
;

the legs and wings are inferted into

but in order to diftinguilh

the parts thereof more

tellum, andflernum.

eafily, it is

divided into the thorax, feu-

The thorax
with points.

is

the upper part of the trunk;

;

it

is

of various

Ihapes and proportions

the fides and back of

it

are often

armed

The scutellum,
thorax, and
is

or efcutcheon,

is

the pofterior part of the

;

generally of a triangular form

it is

though
it,

it

adheres

to the thorax, yet

it's

eafily diftinguifhed

from
;

by

its figure,

ufe,
aflift

to

and often by an intervening future it appears defigned in expanding the wings when the mfecl: is going to fly.
is

The sternum
it is

fituated

on the

inferior part

of the thorax

pointed behind in fome fpecies, and

bifid in others.

The abdomen
veffels, the

contains the ftomach, the interlines, the air

it is

and in moft forming the pofterior part of the body, being generally compofed of rings or fegments, by which the infea can lengthen or fhorten it, or even move it in different
affixed to the thorax,

ovary, Sec.

infeas diftina from

it,

direaions.
piece.

In fome fpecies

it

feems to be formed but of one

The upper

part of the
;

abdomen
is

is

called the tergum,

the under part the venter

the anus

the pofterior part

of the

abdomen.

The spiracula

are fmall oblong oval holes or pores, that

are placed fmgly, one

on each

fide

of every ring of the abdo-

men

78

Microscopical Essays,
;

men

through thefe the

infect

is

fuppofed to breathe

this

An-

gular circumftance in their refpiration forms another peculiar

character of infects.

The

limbs, or the organs ufed by the infect for moving

for defending
itfelf,

it's

body, and

are the

tail,

the fling, the feet, the

wings, the halteres or poifers.

The tail

terminates the abdomen, and

is

conftru&ed in a

wonderful manner

for anfwering the purpofes for

which

it

is

formed, namely, to direct the motion of the

infect, to
;

ferve as

an inftrument of defence, or for depofiting the eggs the figure and fize thereof varying in each genus and it's families. In fome
it is

fimple, Jimplex,
at

and yet capable of being extended or drawn

In others,
;

back
in

pleafure.

elongata, elongated.

Setaceous,
briftles

fhaped

like a briftle
it is

trifeta,
;

with three appendages like

fome

forked, furcata
;

and

in others

it is

furnifhed with a
it is

pair of forceps, forcipata

in the blatta

and others
it

folio/a,
fur-

or like a

leaf.

In the fcorpion and panorpa

is telifera,

nifhed with a fting.

Further particulars

may be

obtained from

the Philofophia Entomologica of Fabricius.

Aculeus, or
and
inflil

fting,
;

an inftrument with which

infects

wound

a poifon
laft

the fting generally proceeds from the under

:

part of the
in others

ring of the belly

like a faw.

in

fome
ufed

it is

{harp

and pointed,
only ufed to

formed

It is
;

by many
it

infeas both as

an offenfive and defenfive weapon

pierce the fubftances where they

by

others

is

mean

to depofit their eggs.

Pedes,

Microscopical Essays.
Pedes,

the feet.

Thefe

are

admirably

adapted

for

their intended fervice, to give the mofi convenient and proper

motion, and from the variety in their conftruction, their various

articulations, Sec.

furnifh the microfcopic obferver with a great

:

many
ber
is

curious and interesting- objects

fix
;

the moil general

;

num;

fome have
;

eight, as the fpider

the crab has ten

the

onifcus fourteen

the julus has from feventy to one hundred and

twenty on each

fide.

The

legs of thofe infecls

that

have not

more than ten, are affixed that number have part abdomen.

to the trunk

while thofe that exceed

trunk, the reft to the

fixed

to

the

The
firft,

legs of infecls are generally divided into four parts.

is"

The
;

which

ufually the largeft,

is

is

called
is

the

fecond, or

tibia,

joined to the former, and

femur the commonly of the

;

fame

fize

throughout, and longer than the femur

part,

this is fol-

lowed by the third

;

which

is

diftinguifhed

by the name of

the one artiit is compofed of feveral joints, tar/us, or foot culated to the other, the number of the rings varying in different

infeds

the tarfus

is

terminated by the unguis, or claw.

The

writers

on natural

hiftory, in order

to

render their

defcriptions clear

and accurate, have given

feveral

names

to the

legs of infeds, from the nature of the motions produced by

them.
the

Thus

curforii,

from that of running

thefe

are

moft

numerous.

The Jaltatorii,

thofe that are ufed for leaping,

Y-2

The

i8o

Microscopical Essays.
naiatorii, thofe that ferve as oars for

The

fwimming.

The

thighs of the faltatorii are remarkably large,

by which means they

have considerably more ftrength and power for leaping.

feet

The

of the natatorii are

ftrike

flat,

and edged with

hairs

thus have a

proper furface to

againft the water, as in the dytifcus,

notone&a, &c.

Such

feet as

have no claws are termed mutici.

furnifhed with two

The

chela?,
feet,

or claws, are an enlargement of the extremity of the fore

each of which

is

lefler

claws,

which

aci like a;

thumb and

finger, as in the crab.

The under part of the feet, in fome infects, is covered with a kind of brum or fponge, by which they are enabled to walk with
eafe
it

on the moft polifhed fubftances, and

neceflarily

in fituations

from which

would feem that they muft

**

fall.

They

tread the ceiling, an inverted floor,

it's

And from
Many
infects

precipice depend fecure."

can only

move

the thigh in a vertical direction

while others can

move

it

in various directions.

The

progreflive
it,

motion of infefts, and the various methods employed to effect

will

be found a very curious and important

the natural hiftorian.

fubject,

and well
will

worthy the attention of

not find
jecl.
it

The mechanic

loft

labour if he beftows fome time on the fame fubhas been done on this head, and that principally
in lis excellent

Very

little

by Mr. de Reaumur,

Memoires
de

and by

M.

Weifs, in a memoir publifhed in the Journal de Phyfique for

1771.

The

reader

may

alfo confult Borelli

Motu Animalium.
Motion,

Microscopical Essays.
one of the principal phenomena of nature* and as it were the foul of our fyftem and is as admirable in the fmalleft

Motion

is

animal as in the univerfe at large.

notice here, that there are
contradict

It

may

not be amifs juft to

fome

infects

of the beetle kind, which

an

aflertion

of

Borelli's, that
it

an animal puts

in action fide

each foot on one

fide before

moves thofe on the oppofite

feet

whereas thefe employ in walking the two moll diftant

on the

fame
is

fide,

and the middle foot on the oppofite

a method which

firm and natural.

The wings,
fly
;

thofe organs

by which the

infect

is

enabled to

fome have only two/ others are furnifhed with four, two on each fide thefe are in fome of the fame fize, in. others the fu;

perior ones are

much

larger than the inferior.

The

variety in the

form and

ftructure of the

wings

their colouring, the ait with

body, the curious manner in

is almoft infinite j the beauty of which they are connected, to, the. which fome are folded up, the fine

articulations provided for this purpofe,

by which they

are laid

up

in their cafes

when out of
;

ufe,

and yet ready to be extended

in a

moment

for flight

together with the various ramifications,

by which

the

nourifhing juices' are circulated, and the wing

firengthened, afford a fund of rational investigation highly entertaining, exhibiting, particularly

when examined by

the micro-

fcope, a

molt wonderful

difplay of divine

wifdom and power.

delicate and tranfparent wings are covered and proby elytra, or cafes, which are generally hard and opake, often highly polifhed, adorned with ornamental flutings, and fludded with brilliants. The wings of moths and butterflies are

The more

tected

moftly farinaceous, covered with a fine duft, that oecafions thofe

beautiful colours with

which they are

fo elegantly painted

for

(tripped

82

Microscopical Essays.
is

Gripped of thefe, the wing

affiftance

tranfparent and colourlefs.

this dull
is

By

the

of the microfcope, we difcover that of organized

fcales,

a regu-

lar afferablage

which

will

be more particu-

larly defcribed hereafter.

few of thefe,

as feen in the micro-

fcope, are exhibited in Plate i6 s Fig.

F E

I.

The

following names are

made

ufe of to defcribe the different

kinds of wings.
furfaces, into
is

They

are

firft

diftinguifhed, with refpect. to their

superior and inferior. The part next

the head

called the
part.

anterior
is

part, that neareft the tail the

poste;

rior

The interior
part

part

is

that next the

abdomen

the

exterior

the outermoft edge.

Thofe wings are termed plicatiles, which are folded when

the
infect, is at reft, as

in the wafp.

Plants, thofe which are incapable of being folded.

Erects, whofe
the
infect, is

fuperior furfaces are brought in contact

when

at reft, as in the ephemera, papiliones, Sec.

Patentes,
is

if

they are extended horizontally when the infecl

at reft,

as in the phalasnx geometrae.

Incumbentes,
tion,

thofe infects which,

when they

are not in

mo-

cover horizontally with their wings the fuperior part of the

abdomen.

Deflex^e
q

thefe are alfo incumbentes, but not horizontally,

the outer edges declining towards the fides.

Reverse,

Microscopical Essays,
Reverse
of the inferior
fuperior one.

183

are alfo deflexae, with this addition, that the edges

wing project from under the anterior part of the

Dentate,

with fcolloped edges.

fome of the fibres of the wing are extended beyond the margin into a kind of tail.
;

Caudate

in thefe

Reticulata, when the

veins or

membranes of the wings put

on the appearance of net-work.

The

wings are further diftinguifhed by their Ornaments being

painted with fpots {macules), bands (fafcieej, ftreaks (Jlrigm): when thefe are extended lengthways, they are called lines {Una) ;

and

if

with dots, punEtce

ocellus; if

one or more rings are termed eyes, the fpots are fhaped like a kidney, they are termed
;

jtigmata*

The elytra* or cruftaceous cafes of the wings, are extended when the infea flies, and (hut when it refls, forming a longitudinal future down the middle of the back; they are of various fhapes, and are diftinguifhed by the following names
:

Ab re vi at A, when they
Truncata, when
^direaiine.;
:

are {horter than the

abdomen.

the extremity terminates in a tranfverfe

:

'

'

'

'

;?i

:
'

ERRATAj

Microscopical Essays.
Serrata, having
notches,
j

the" external

margin -edged with teeth or

Spin os a, when the exterior furface

points.

is

covered with fmall fharp

Scabra, when

it is

very rough.

Striata, marked with

(lender longitudinal furrows.

Porcati, having (harp longitudinal

Sulcati,

ridges.

wkh

deep furrows.
the cafes are neither fo hard as the elytra,

Hemelytra, when
nor

fo delicate as the tranfparent wing.

is

Under the wings of moft infefts, which have only two, a fmall head placed on a ftalk, frequently under a
;

there
little

arched fcale

thefe are called

halteres,
it

poifers; they appear to

be rudiments of the hinder wings :

ferve to keep the

has been fuppofed that they

the
infecl: is flying.

body in

equilibrio

when

The

bodies of infects are covered with a hard fkin, which anis

fwers the purpofe of an internal fkekton, and

one of the

dif-

tinguiming characters of an
fifties,

infecl:.

All quadrupedes, birds, and

have an internal fkeleton of bones to which the mufcles

is

areiixed; but the whole interior body of an infecl

compofed

of foft

flelh,

and the mufcles are

affixed to the exterior ikeleton

or

Microscopical Essays.
or fkin, which in thefe anfwer the purpofe of bones.

185

The

ffein

ferves as a continent to the whole infect, covering the body, con-

necting the parts, and maintaining them in their proper places.

This extern") covering

the nature of their
life,
is

is

very flrong in thofe

infects,

which, by

are expofed to ftrong friction, or violent

delicate in thofe
like that

compreffion

but

more tender and

[kin
in

which are

not fo expofed.
is

The

of infects,

of larger animals,

porous

the pores

fome

fpecies

are very large.

;

Many

infects often

change or

caft off their (kin

this

exuvia forms an

excellent object for the microfcope.

Another

diftinguifiiing criterion
is

of

infects
fir ft

is

the colour of their

blood, which

never red;

this, at

fight,

feems liable to
is

fome

objections,

on account of the drop of red liquor which

often procured from fmall infects

pieces.
It

when fqueezed or
this is the

prefled to

does not appear, however, that

;

blood of

when it exifted as a worm there was no fuch appearance, and when they exiit as a fly it is only found in the
the
little

animal

eye,

and not in the body, which would be the cafe

It is

if it

circulated

in the veins of the infects.

probable there

is

a circulation of

fome

fluid analagous

to the blood in molt infects:

this circulation
is

with the

afliffance

of the microfcope

may be

perceived in

many

but the circulating liquor

not red*

To thefe difcriminating
lowing particulars
incifurse,
:

characterises

we may

alfo
is

add the
divided

fol-

1.

That the body of

infects

by

or tranfverfal divifions, from whence they take their

name.

2,

That

186
2.

Microscopical Essays.
That they
are furnifhed with antennas,
;

which

are placed

upon

the fore part of the head

thefe are jointed,

and moveable

in various directions.
i

3.

That no
all it's

infect in

it's

perfect flate, or after

lefs

it

has gone

through

transformation, has

than

fix

legs,

though
feet

many have more.

tion to the nature

There are fome moths, whofe two fore

name.
of

are fo fmall as fcarcely to deferve that

proper atten-

and number of the

feet

infects

would tend which

is

to fix their real rank in that fcale of animated nature,

handed down

to us in the facred fcriptures

it

a fcale which, from

the lively reprefentations

holds forth, as well as their moral

life,

applications to the purpofes of

it is

and the fource from whence

moll important

derived, {hews that

it

is

replete with the

information.

4.

That

infects

have neither the organs of fmell nor hearing;

it is

at

leafl:

they have not as yet been difcovered, though

reported

that Fabricius has lately found

and defcribed the organs of hear-

ing in the lob Iter.

5.

infpire

That they do not refpire air by the mouth, but that they and exhale it, by means of organs which are placed on

the body.

6.

That they move the jaws from

right to

left,

not up and

down.

7.

That they have neither

eye-lid

nor pupil.

To

Microscopical Essays,
To
thefe

187
refulting

we may
fize.

alfo add, that the

mechanifm

from

the life of infects

is

not of fo

compound
and

a nature as in animals

of a larger

They have

lefs

variety of organs, though

;

fome
to

of the organs are more

fituation

multiplied

it is

by the number and

is

of thefe that their rank in the great fcale of beings

be determined.

Thefe characters are often united in the fame infect there are, however, fome fpecies in which one or two of them are wanting.
;

Every microfcopic obferver, who wifhes to avail himfelf of the difcoveries of other writers, or to communicate intelligibly
his

own,

will find
claffes,

it

neceffary to
Sec.

make himfelf
which
the

mailer of the

various

genera,

into

infects

have

been
it is

divided by Linnaeus.

All fyftems have their defects, and

highly probable that this

celebrated Linnaeus
:

may be

cafe

with that of the

is

but the purpofe of fcience

anfwered by

ufing thofe difcriminations which are generally adopted.

The
tained

following general idea of the Linnsean claffes

a foundation for this

knowledge

a fuller account

may ferve as may be ob-

by

confulting the under-mentioned works.

Inflitutions of

Entomology, a

tranflation of Linnaeus's Ordines

et Genera Inlectorum, or Syftematic Arrangement of Infects, &c,

by Thomas

Pattifon Yeats.

Fundamenta Entomologica, or an Introduction to the Knowledge of Infects, tranllated from Linnaeus by W. Curtis, author
of the Flora Londinenfis, Botanical Magazine, &c.

The

i88

Microscopical Essays.
Linnaeus, exemplified

The Genera Infe&orum of

Specimens of Englifh
Barbut.

Infects,

by various drawn from Nature, by James

Clafs the

firft.
;

Cole Optra.

The

infe6ls

of

this clafs

have

four wings

the upper ones, called the elytra, are cruftaceous,

{hut,

formed of a hard bony fubflance, which, when

longitudinal future

form a

down

the back, as in the fcarabasus, melolon-

tha, or cockchaffer,

&c. &c.
Thefe have

2.

Hemiptera,

alfo four

wings

but the elytra

:

are different, being half cruftaceous, half

membranaceous

the

wings do not form a longitudinal future, but extend the one over
the other, as in the gryllus, grafshopper, &c.

3.

Lepidoptera.
fine

wings covered with

Thofe which have four membranaceous fcales, as the butterflies and moths.
Thefe have four membranaceous
tranf-

4.

Neuroptera.
flies.

parent wings, which are generally reticulated, as in the libellula,

or dragon

5.

Hymenoptera.

Thefe, like the preceding

;

clafs,

have

four

membranaceous wings

but the abdomen

is

furnifhed with a

fling, as in

the bees, wafps, Sec.

6.
flies,

pte ra.

Thefe have only two wings ,

as

common houfe

gnats, <&c.

Microscopical Essays.
f,

189

Aptera.

Thefe have no wings,

as fpiders, lice, acari,

&c.

Of the Transformation
Infects are further

of Insects.

diflinguifhed
all,

from other animals by the

clafs, pafs

wonderful changes that

through.

except thofe of the aptera during their whole

Moft animals

retain,

life,

the fame

form which they receive at their birth; but infects go through .wonderful exterior and interior changes, infomuch that the fame individual, at it's birth and middle ftate, differs effentially from
that under

which

it

appears
is

when

arrived at a ftate of maturity

and
but

this difference
is

not confined to marks, colour, or texture,

extended to their form, proportion, motion, organs, and

life.

habits of

The

ancient writers

on natural

hiftory

were not unacquainted

was not

with thefe

transformations, but the ideas they entertained of

imperfect,

them were very

towards the

and often erroneous.

laft

It

till

latter

end of the

century that any juft conception

of

this fubject

was formed, and the

my fiery

was then unveiled by

thofe two great anatomifts Malphigi

and Swammerdam, who

obferved thefe infects under every appearance, and by differing

them

at the time juft.

preceding their changes, were enabled to

felves,

prove that the moth and butterfly grow and flrengthen themand that their members are formed and unfolded, under
the figure of the infect
that
it is

we

call a caterpillar

and they

alfo

(hewed,

not
it's

difficult to

exhibit in thefe all the parts of the future

moth,

as

wings, legs, antennas, &c.

and confequently that

dually

the changes which are

apparently fudden to our eyes, are gra-

Microscopical Essays.
dually formed under the
(kin

of the animal, and only appear

hidden to

us,

becaufe the infeft then gets rid of a cafe which had

his
real

before concealed

members.

Thefe transformations

clearly prove, that without repeated experience every thing in

nature would appear a myftery

for

who, on confidering by the

in their fly or

mere
flate

light

of nature or reafon a gnat or butterfly

bears to the feveral changes of
it

perfect itate, could have difcovered the relation

which
flate,

in this

and form

it

and their

correfponding forms, through which

has paffed,* and which are

to appearance as diilinH as difference can

make them.

The
will

life

of thofe infects which pafs through thefe various

divided into four principal parts, each of which

changes,

maybe

be found truly worthy of all the attention of the microfcopic

obferver.

The
more

firft

change

is

from the egg into the

larva

or, as

it is

generally called, into the

worm

or caterpillar.

From
From

the

larva
pupa

itpafles into the

pupa,

or-ehryfalis flate.

the

into the

imago or

fly flate.

Few fubjefts
in which

can be found that are more expreflive of the ex*

tenfive goodnefs of Divine Providence, than thefe transformations,

we

find the occafionaJ

and temporary parts and organs

of

All

is

phenomenon,

and type on earth,

{Replete with facred and myfterious birth.

Brooke's Univerfal Beauty, b.

v..

Microscopical Essays.
of thefe
igence
little

ig%

animals fuited and adapted with the moft minute

exa&nefs to the immediate

;

which again are

manner and convenience of their exfhihed and changed, upon the infecls

commencing a new
In
it's

fcene and ftate of action.

larva ftate the infect appears groveling, heavy,

and vothefe, or
It's

racious, in the
fucceffive

form of a worm, with

long body, compofed of

afliftance

rings; crawling along

by the

of

fmall

little
is

hooks, which are placed on the ride of the body.

head
of
head.

fex,

armed with ftrongjaws, it's eyes fmooth, entirely deprived the blood circulating from the hind part towards the
It

breathes through fmall apertures, which are fituated

on
as

each

fide

of the body, or through one or more tubes placed in the

hinder part thereof.

it

While
it's

it is

in the larva ftate, the infecl:

:

is

were mafked, and

true appearance concealed

is

for under

this

.mafk the more perfecl form

hidden from the

human

eye.

In the pupa ftate the

infecl:

may be compared
are
all

to a child in

twaddling clothes

it's

members

folded together under the

coverings, remaining

breaft, and inclofed within one or

more

there without motion,

While in

this ftate,

no

infecl;

but thofe
is

of the hemiptera
effected various

clafs
;

take any nourishment.

This change

ways

in fome infefts the fkin of the larva opens,

it's

and leaves a
{kin hardens

paffage, with all

integuments

in others, the
entirely con-

and becomes a fpecies of cone, which

;

ceals the infecls

others form

or fpin cones for themfelves, and

the parts have acquired fufticient
offices,

in this ftate they

remain

till

firmnds, and are ready to perform their feveral

The

igz

Microscopical Ess a ys.

infecl
it's

The
ftate

then

cafts off the fpoils

;

of

it's

former

ftate,

and
to

appears in

imago or perfeci form

for

it

has

now

attained the
it

of organical perfection, which anfwers to the rank

is

hold in the corporeal world.

wings, magnificently

They
;

are

now

furnil ed with
their
trans-

adorned

foar above

and defpife

former

purfuits,

wing the

foft air,

chufe

their mates,

and

mit their nature to a fucceeding race.

the preceding ftate were
difplay themfelves,

Their members, which in

foft,

wrapped up,
ftrong,

and motion ^efs, now

in

grow

and are put

ftate differs

exercife.

The
;

interior changes are as considerable as thofe

of the exterior form,

and that

in proportion as the

firft

from the

lafi

fome

organs acquire greater ftrength and firmnefs, others are rendered

more

delicate,

fome are fuppreffed, and fome unfolded, which

it's life.

did not feem to exift in the former ftages of

"

Who

that beholds the fummer's glift'ning fwarms,

Ten thoufand thoufand

gaily gilded forms,

In volant dance of mix'd rotation play,

Bade in the beam, and beautify the day

Who'd think thefe airy wantons fo adorn, Were late his vile antipathy and fcorn
;

Prone to the

duff, or reptile thro' the mire,

And ever thence unlikely to Or who, with trannent view

Thofe crawling
feels,

afpire ?

beholding, loaths
vileft

whom

femblance cloahs
ftate,

Who

with corruption hold their kindred

As by contempt, or negligence of fate Could think that fuch, revers'dby wondrous doom, Sublimer pow'rs and brighter forms affume
;

From

Microscopical Essays,
From
And,
death their future happier
life

derive,

tho' apparently entomb'd, revive*

rife3

Chang'd, thro' amazing tranfmigration,

'

And wing

the regions of

unwonted

flues."*

Of the Larva State,

As
more
bell

the larvae (caterpillars) of the

moth and

butterfly

f form the

moil numerous family among the tribe of infects, and have been
particularly obferved than any other kind, perhaps

on

ac-

count of the ufefulnefs of one of their number, and are therefore

known, we

fhall

firft

defcribe them,

and

their

various

changes from

this flate to their

infects

lafVand perfect form, and then

proceed to thofe

which

differ

moft from the caterpillar in

one or

all

of their various changes.

The
winter;

greater part of thofe infects

which
at

come
the
life

forth

in

fpring or

fummer

perilh

or difappear

approach of
exceeds

there are very few, the period of

whofe
are

that of a year;

feme mrvive the

in the

rigours

of winter,
hid
;

being
in

concealed and buried under ground

many

the

bark of

trees,

and others

chinks of old walls

fome, like
the

Aa
* Brooke's Univerfal Beauty,
f The and by
butterflies are diftinguifhed
;

from the moth by the time of

their flying abroad,

their antennae
little

the butterflies appear by day, their antennas are generally

;

terminated by a

knob

the

moths

fly

moflly in the evening, and their antenna

are either fetaceous or pectinated.

Microscopical E s s a y s.
the caterpillar of the brown-tailed moth,* which was fo

uncom,

monly numerous and

at the

deftruclive near

London,

in the year 1782,

approach of winter not only fecure and ftrengthen the web

in

which the fociety

inhabit, and. thus protect t&eptfehaasi fromit--

impertinent intruders, but each individual alfo fpins a cafe for

felf,

where

it

refls

in torpid fecurity,

notwithstanding the
it

in--

clemency of the

feafon, tilr the fpring animates

affefh, and,:

informs>them that the all-bountiful Author of nature has provided!

food convenient for them.

retire

Many

that are

hatchedih the autumn.*

in;

and

live

under the earth during the winter months, but

out, feed,

the fpring

come

and proceed onward to

their, feveral;

changes

while no fmall part- pafs the colder months in

their,

chryfalis, or

pupa

flate

but the greater number of the caterpillar-

race remain in the egg, being carefully depofited

fly in

by the parent
of
it

thofe places where they will be hatched with the greateft;

fafety

and
_till

fuccefs

in this ftate the latent principle

,

life is

pre=-

ferved

the genial influences of the fpring call

into aclion.,

and bring forth the young

has provided
find this
;

infecl.to (hare, the banquet. that nature,

then wherever
in

we

turn, or

wherever we move, we^

infecl:

one fhape or another.

breaks forth the bright enliv'ning ray

"

When
*

firft

*<

*
rife,-.,

And
Mufic

^ The gay,
flies

the quick ninginfe&s

gilded fquadrons ftrike our

wond 'ring

eyes

; :

wanton from ten thousand wings,

rings."-*ff

And

life

and joy through ev'ry region

Alii
* Curtis's
fliort hi (lory

of the brown-tailed moth,.

h Brooke's

Uniyerfal Beauty,

Microscopical Essays,
All caterpillars are hatched from the egg, and

*95

when they

firft

proceed from

it

are generally fmall

and

feeble,

but grow in
is

ftrength as they increafe in fize.

The body of
is

the caterpillar

divided into twelve rings

the head

connected with the

firft,

and

is

hard and cruftaceous.

No caterpillar

of the moth or but;

terfly has lefs

than eight, or more than fixteen feet

thole

which
;

have more
the fix
firft

than fixteen are not the larva of the

feet are cruftaceous,

moth or butterfly

firft

pointed, and fixed to the three

are

rings of the

body

thefe feet
;

the

covering to the

fix

future feet of the

moth
;

the other fix feet are foft and flexible,

or membranaceous

they vary both in figure and number, and are

ftate
:

proper only to the larva

with refpecl to their external

figure, they are either fmooth or hairy, foft to the touch, or hard like fhagreen, beautifully adorned with a great variety of the

moft lively
are placed,
refpiration.

tints

on each

fide of the

body nine

little

oval holes

which are generally confidered as the organs of There are on each fide of the head of the caterpillar
black fpots, which are fuppoied to be
fize,
it's

five or fix little

eyes.

Thefe
and

creatures vary in

from half an inch long

to four

five inches.

The

caterpillar,

whofe
it's

life

is

one continued fucceflion of

it

changes, often moults

fkin before

attains

it's

full

growth.

Thefe changes
pillar moults,

areit is

the more lingular, becaufe

when

the cater;

not fimply the {kin that

flaill,

is

changed

for

we

find in the exuvia the

the jaws, and

all

the exterior parts,

-compofe it's upper and both fcaly and membranaceous, which cruftaceous pieces under lip, it's antennae, palpi, and even thofe
bafts to a within the head, which ferve as a fixed fpiracula, the exuvia, TOiifcLes j we further find in the

number of
-the -claws,

Aa

and

ig6

Microscopical Essays.
all

and fheaths of the anterior limbs, and in general of the caterpillar.

that

is

vifible

organs were under the old ones as in a Iheath, fb that the caterpillar effects the changes by withdrawing itfelf from

The new

lodged in too narrow a compafs. change, to pufh off the old covering, and bring forwards the new, is a work of labour and time. Thofe caterit

the old fkin,

when

finds itfelf

But to
pillars

effect this

who

live in fociety,

and have

kind of neff or habitation,

change their fkin, fixing the hooks of the feet,, during the operation, firmly in the web of their nelL Some of
retire there to

the folitary fpecies fpin at this time a (lender web, to which they affix themfelves. day or two before the critical moment ap-

proaches, the infect ceafes to eat, and lofes

it's

ufual activity

in proportion as the time of change approaches, the colour of the

caterpillar

becomes more

feeble, the fkin

hardens and withers,,

and
be
to

foon incapable of receiving thofe juices by which it was heretofore nourilhed and fupported. The infect may now
is

feen, at diflant intervals, to elevate

it's

it's

back, and firetch

itfelf
it

utmofl extent

fometimes to

lift

up the head, move

again
;

little

from

fide to fide,

and then let

it fall

near the change,

;

the fecond and third rings are feen to fwell eonfiderably

internal efforts the old parts are
as poffible,
ft

by thefe

retched and diflended as

much

an operation which
parts are all

is

attended with
tender.

much

difficulty,

as the

new

weak and

However, by repeated'

exertions, all the vefFels

exterior fkin
' ,

which conveyed the nourilhment to the are difengaged, and ceafe to aft, and a flit is made
at the

on tne back generally beginning

fecond or third ring

the

new

Ikin

may now be

juft perceived,

being difling mined by the

caterpillar then prefles

frefhnefs.

and brightness of it's colour; the

Microscopical Essays.
the

tgj
it

body

like a

wedge
firfl

into this

flit,

by which means
;

is it

foon
large

opened from the

down to the

fourth ring

this renders
it

enough
day
in

for the infect to pafs through,

which

foon

effects in

very curious manner.

The

caterpillar generally fails a

it
is

whole

after each moulting,, for

neceffary that the parts fhould

it

acquire a certain degree of confiftency, before

it's

can

live

and

act

ufual

manner

many

alfo perifh

under the operation.

The
exuvia

infect
;

always appears

much
as the

larger after

it

has quitted the

till it

the

body had grown under the old

it
:

fkin,

was be-

come too

large for

now

growth was gradual, and the

fo that

parts foft, the fkin prefied

them together,
is

they lay in a
are as
it

fmall fpace

but

as

foon as the fkin

call off, they

were liberated from their bonds, and diftend themfelves coniiderably.

Some

caterpillars, in

changing their
fmooth.*

fkin,

from fmooth

become covered with

with
this fine hair,

fine hair

while others, that were covered

have the

lafl fkin

Of the Pupa.
Before
it

we

defcribe the

change of the larva

different

into the

pupa

flate^

will

be neceffary to give the reader an account of thofe names

appearances of infects

by which naturalifts- diftinguifh the in the pupa Rate.

It is called

coarctata, when

it is

flraitened or confined

tq

a cafe of a globular form, which has no refemblance to the infect

it

contains.
It

* Valmont de Bomare Di&Ionnaire Univerfel d'Hiftoire Naturelle,

vol.,

in

2d

edit.

121110.

p.

394.

Microscopical Essays,
It is

called

obtecta,

difguifed or fhrowded,

when the

infect

is

enveloped in a cruftaceous covering, confiding of two

parts,

one

of which furrounds the head and thorax, the -other the abdomen,

It

is

termed incompleta,
feet,

wings and

but cannot

when the pupa move them.

has perceptible

Semicompleta
Tiidiments of wings.
larva of this
aft, juft as
cla'fs

thefe

can walk or run, but have only the

difference

The

between the pupa and the

eat,

is

very inconfiderable, as they

ftate
;

walk, and

they did in their primitive

a kind of
cafe,

the only remarkable

difference

is

which -contains the wings that are to

be developed in their

fly ftate.

'Completa;
form

thofe defigned

by

this

name

take their perfect

at their birth,

and do not

pafs, like

other infe&s, through

their fkin.

a variety of ftates,

though they often change

It

is

a general rule, that

all

winged

infecls pafs

through the
;

larva and

pupa

ftate before they aftume their perfect form

there

are alfo infecls which have no wings, and yet undergo fimilar Other infecls, transformation, as the bed bug, the flea, &c.

which have no wings, and which always remain without them, never pafs through the pupa ftate, but are fubjecl to conliderable
changes, as well with refpeclto the
parts
;

number

as the figure

of their

thus mites have four pair of feet, and two fmaller ones at

the fore part of the body, near the head

yet fome of thefe are

is

born with only three pair of feet, the fourth

not perceived til

fome time

after their b>irth.*

The

figure of the

monoculus
quadri-

* De Geer Memoires pour

fervir a

PHiftoire des Ink&cs, torn. i. p. 154.

Microscopical Essays,
qiiadricornis of Linnaeus

(Fauna Suecica,
it's

edit.

Stockholm, 1761,

No;

2049), changes confiderably after

birth.*

The

julus

is

an. infect with

a great number of

feet,

fome

fpecies having,

an

hundred pair and upwards. M. De of one with more than two hundred pair/f and yet thefe
birth have only three pair, the
reft,

Geer has given a defcription

at their

are not perceived

till

fome

time

after,.

We {hall

now

return to the caterpillar, and take notice of the

it

care and provifion

makes to
;

pafs
is,

from the larva

in general,

ftate into

that

of the pupa,, orchryfalis

fection,
inactivity,

which

a- ftate

of imperinfect:,

and. weaknefs,

through

which the
;

whea
it

it

has obtained a proper fize,_muft pafs

>

and

in

which
arid in

remains often for months, fometimes for a whole year, ex;

pofed, without any means of efcaping, to every event

which
and
is

it

receives the neceffary preparations for

it's

perfect ftate,

enabled once more to appear upon the tranfitory fcene of

time.

During
it is

it's

paftage

from one

ftate to the other, as well as

when many

in the

pupa form, the microfcopical obferver

will find

opportunities of exercifing his inftrument.

The
to
it"

transitions

of the

caterpillar

from one

ftate to another, are

;

fubject of the
it

molt interefting nature

it's

for in patting
life,

through them,
the greateft

often. runs the riik of lofmg

;

and

life is

boon the Creator can bellow

it is

ever accompanied
ftate in

with a degree of delight proportioned to the

creature exifts, and the ufe
it

which the

makes of the

gift it

has received. If
it

the caterpillar could therefore forefee the efforts and exertions

muft;
*

De

Geer Memoires-pour^fe'rvir aTHiftoire des Thfe&es,

3, p. 61.

torn, i, p 155.,

i Memoiresjdes Sgavans etrangers, torn.

Microscopical Essays.
mu ft make to put
nefs
ft

off

it's

prefent form,
it

and impotence under which

and the (late of weakmuft ex ill while in the pupa

place, the

ate, it

would undoubtedly chufe the moft convenient

fituation, for the

moft advantageous
operation
;

performance of this arduous

when

it

it would be the leaft expofed to danger, had neither ftrength to refift, nor fwiftnefs to avoid the

one where

attack of an enemy.

All thefe neceflary inftruclions the caterpillar receives from

the influence of an all-regulating Providence, which conveys the

proper information to
critical

it

by

it's it

own

fenfations
if it

period approaches,
refult

proceeds as

hence, when the knew what would

:

be the
felves

of it's operations.

Different fpecies prepare

them-

for this ftate in different ways, fuited to their nature

ftate.

and

the length of time they are to remain in this

When
it's

the caterpillar has attained

to

it's

full

growth, and

the parts of the future butterfly are fufhciently formed beneath

fkin,
it

prepares for
in

it's

change into the pupa

thefe

ftate

it

feeks for
:

a proper place
different

which to perform the important buftnefs

little

the

methods employed by
reft,

animals to fecure this

1.

Hate of
cones,

may be reduced
inclofe
little cells,

to four:

Some fpin
2.

webs, or

in

which they

themfelves;

Others conceal
;

themfelves in

fufpend themfelves by their pofterior extremity

are fufpended

which they form under ground 3. Some 4. While others

;

by a

girdle that goes

round

their

body.

We

{hall

defcribe the variety in thefe, as well as the induftry ufed in conftrucldng them, after

we have gone through

the manner in which

the caterpillar prepares itfelf for and paffes through the

ftate.

pupa

Preparatory

Microscopical Essays.
Preparatory to the change,
itfelf
it

201

ceafes to take
is

any food, empties

ferved as

of all the excrementitious matter that

voiding at the fame time the

contained in the in-

teftines,

membrane which

a of reft and inactivity for feveral days, which affords the external and internal organs that are under the fkin an opportunity
ftate

a lining to thefe and the ftomach.

It generally perfeveres in

of gradually unfolding themfelves. In proportion as the change into the pupa form approaches, the body is obferved often to extend and contract itfelf the hinder part is that which is firft
;

difengaged from the caterpillar fkin

is

free,
-

the animal
it

contracts
itfelf in

and draws

head

then liberates

body up towards the the fame manner from the two

;

when

this
it

part of the

fucceeding rings, confequently the infect

fore part of
it's

is

now lodged
is
is

in

the

caterpillar covering

the half which

abandoned
dif-

remains flaccid and empty, while the fore part

tended.

fwoln and

The

animal, by ftrong efforts,

ftill

forcing

itfelf againft

forms a longitudinal

the fore part of the fkin, burfts the fkull into three pieces, and opening in the three firft rings of the
this
it

body; through
other,

proceeds,

by

alternately lengthening

drawing one part after the and fhortening, fwelling and

or
elfe,

contracting the

body and
rid

different rings;

by pufhing

back the exuvia, gets

of it's odious reptile form.

The
moth

caterpillar, thus ftripped

from

it's

fkin,

is

what we

call

the pupa, chryfalis, and aurelia, in which the parts of the future
are inclofed in a cruftaceous covering,

but are fo

foft,

that

the flighteft

touch
is

will
firft

difcompofe them.
exceedingly tender,

The
foft,
;

exterior part of

the chryfalis

at

and partly

trans-

parent, being covered with a vifcous fluid

thickens,

this

foon dries up,

and forms a new covering

for the animal, capable

of

refill:-

202

Microscopical Essays,
;

refilling external injuries

a cafe, which

is

at the

fame time the

fepulchre of the caterpillar, and the cradle of the

as

moth

where,

under a

veil, this

wonderful transformation

is

carried on.

made of gold, from the refplendent yellow colour with which fome kinds are
adorned.
rich colour

1'he pupa has been called a chryfalis, or creature

M. de Reaumur
;

has (hewn us whence they derive this

{kins, the

that

it

proceeds from two

lays

upper one a

beautiful brown,

which
:

upon

or covers a

nighly-polifhed

and fmooth white fkin

through, gives
it

the light reflected from the lad, in paffmg

the golden yellow, in the fame

;

manner
chryfalis

as

this

colour

is

often given to leather

fo that

the whole appears gilded,

although no gold enters into the tincture.

The

of the

common

white butterfly fu mimes a

mod

beautiful object for the

lucernal opake microfcope.

bers of the

Thofe who are defirous to difcover diflindlly the various memmoth in the pupa, mould examine it before the forefluid
is

mentioned

dried up,

when

it

will

be found to be only the

;

moth, with the members glued together

thefe,

by degrees,

ac-

quire fufficient force to break their covering,

felves

and difengage them*

from the bands which confine them.

concealed under the fkin of a caterpillar,
at the laft

To examine the moth

begins to open,
ftrong liquor,
it

one of them mould be taken

change

when

the

ikirr

mould be drowned
left

in fpirits

of wine, or fome
days, that
it

and be

therein for

fome
;

may

take
pillar

more

confiftency and harden itfelf

the (kin of the cater-

may

then be eafily removed

the chryfalis, or feeble moth,

will

be

firft

difcovered, after which the tender

moth may be
traced
:

Microscopical Essays.
traced out, and
it's

203

wings, legs,

antennae, Sec.

may be opened

and difplayed by an accurate obferver.

The
in the

parts

of the moth, or

butterfly, are not difpofed exaclly

caterpillar, as

fame manner in the body of the

in the chryfalis.

when

left

naked
being
rolled

The wings
the tongue

are

longer and narrower,

wound up

into the
;

form of a cord, and the antennas are

is

alfo twilled up and laid manner from what it is in the perfect animal, and different from that which it lies in within the chryfalis fo that it is by a progreffive and gradual

up on the head

upon the head, but

in a very different

change, that the interior parts are

prepared for the moth

and
the

pupa

ftate.

The

eggs,

hereafter to

be

depofited

by

moth, are alfo to be found not only in the

caterpillar
itfelf,

chryfalis,

but in the

arranged in their natural and regular order.

The
ftate is

time which the moth, or butterfly, remains in the pupa

not always the fame, varying in different fpecies, and dealfo

pending

upon

the

titious circumflances

warmth of the weather, and other advenfome remain in that fituation for a few
form for
eight, nine, or
in

weeks

others

do not
:

attain their perfecl

eleven months

this often

depends on the feafon

which they
tem-

alfume the pupa form, or rather on the time of their birth.

Some

irregularities
air,

are

alfo occafioned

by the

different

perature of the

by which they are retarded or accelerated, fo

I

us to be brought forward in the feafon beft fuited to their nature

and the ends of

their exiftence.

have heard of an

inftance,

where the pupa produced from

caterpillars

of the fame eggs, nou-

rimed in the fame manner, 2nd which all fpun up within a few days
of each other in the autumn, came into the
fly ftate at

three different

Bb

and

204

Microscopical
diftant periods, viz. one-third

Ess. y

s.

and

their

change,

one-third

of them the fpring following more the fucceeding fpring, and the
;

remainder the fpring after

hatching
\,

dom
of

making three years from their firft and manifeft proof of the beauty and wifof the laws of Divine order, which are continually operating
a further

for the beft interefts of all created beings.

infecls
is

As the transformation

retarded by

cold,

ordinary period of thefe changes

placing

and accelerated by heat, the may fometimes be altered, by

of heat or cold
flate
;

them

in different degrees

by

thefe they

may be awakened

fooner to a

new

of exigence, or kept in

one of profound deep.*

There

are

fome

caterpillars

who

remain in their cone eight or

;

nine months, before they become complete chryfalifes

their duration in the

fo that

pupa

ftate is

much

fhorter than

it

naturally

appears to be.

As foon

as the

moth
it

acquires fufficient ftrength to break the

it,

bonds which furrOund

internal fenfations,

and of which

it

is

informed by
efcape from

its
it's

makes a powerful

effort to

prifon,
frees

and view the world with new-formed eyes. The moth itfelf from the pupa with much greater eafe than the pupa
caterpillar
is
;

from the

for the cafe of the

pupa becomes

fo dry,

when the moth

it

near the time of throwing off it's covering, that

if
it

will

break to pieces
;

be only gently preffed between the

will

fingers

and very few of the parts

be found, on examination,
infect has

to adhere to the body.

Hence when the

it

acquired a

proper degree of
to
fplit

folidity,

does not require any great exertion

covers
it.

the

membrane which

fmall degree of

motion,
* Reaumur Memoires fur
les Infecles,

torn, 2,

mem.

i.

Microscopical Essays,
motion, or a little inflation of the body, isfufficientfor
this

purpofe

thefe motions reiterated a few times, enlarge the hole,

and afford

the

moth room

to efcape

from
is

it's

confinement.

The opening
fkin,

through which they pafs

little

always at the fame part of the

above the trunk, between the wings and a fmall piece which covers the head the different fiffures are generally made in the
;

fame

direction.

If the outer cafe

is

opened,

it is

eafy to difcover

the efforts the infect makes to emancipate

itfelf

from

it's

fhell

when
in the

the operation begins, there feems to be a violent agitation

humours contained
legs, Sec.

in the little
all

animal

the fluids feem to

it

be driven with rapidity through

agitate
it's

the veffels, and

is

feen to

as it

were ftruggling to get free; thefe

it's

efforts, as

we have

already faid, foon break

brittle fkin.

The

loofening the exterior bands of the

pupa
;

is riot

the only

difficulty

many moths have

when
it's

to encounter with

it

has often alfo

to pierce the cone, or cafe, in that at a time

which

it

has been inclofed, and

members

are very feeble,

when

it is

no

longer furnifhed with ftrong jaws to pierce and cut

it's

way
was.

through

but,

by the regular laws of Divine

order,

means are
it

furnifhed to every creature of attaining the end for which

produced

thus, in the prefent cafe,

fome of thefe

infects

are

provided with a liquor with which they foften and weaken the

end of the cone

fome leave one end

and

feeble, and. clofe

it

only

with a few threads, fo that a

flight effort

of the head enables the

into day.

math

to burfl the prifon doors,

ixn merge

When
this

the

moth

firft

fees the day,

it is

humid and moift

but

humidity foon evaporates, the interior parts dry and harden,

;

as well as the exterior

the wings, which are crumpled, or thick

and

2o5

Microscopical Essays.
fmall,

and
and

extend themfelves, are ftrengthened and hardened

fibres
ftiff,

in-

fenfibly,
ftiff ;

and the

which were

even

fo

in proportion

as thefe

become hard that Malphigi confidered them as bones fibres harden, the fluid which circulates
at
firft

flexible

within them, and extends the wings, lofes

it's

force

fo that if

any extraneous circumftance prevents the motion of

the
firft

this fluid, at

inftant

of the moth's efcape

from

it's

former

ftate,

the wing will then

fu ch rapidity, that

become
the

ill-fhaped;

often expanding with

it's

naked eye cannot trace

fo as to

unfold "ng.

The
in a
as

wing, which was fcarce half the length of the body, acquires

few minutes

it's
:

full fize,

be nearly
,

five times as large

they were before

;

nor

is it

the wings only which are thus info

creafed

all their fpots

and colours, heretofore

minute as to be

fcarce difcernible, are proportionally extended, fo that

fore appeared as only fo
diftincl;

what be-

many unmeaning and

;

confufed points,

and beautiful ornaments become furnifhed with a tongue, or trunk, curl and

and thofe that are

coil
it

up.

When
moth
it

the wings

are unfolded,

the

tongue rolled up, the

fufficiently dried,
it's

takes

flight.

their

perfect

and the different Moft of them, foon after they have attained ftate, void an excrementitious lubftance, which
thinks
if
is

members ftrengthened,

M. de Reaumur
reject

the

laft

time of their doing

it

that they

very

little,

any, during the reft of

their lives.

If the

moth

is

opened down the

belly,

and the

fatty parts

which

fill it

are removed, the grofs artery,

which has been called

the heart, will be vifible, and the contractions and dilations,

by
ob-

which
ferved.

it

pufhes forwards the liquor

it

contains,

may be
is,

eafily

One of
6

the moft remarkable circumftances

that the
circula-

Microscopical Essays.
circulation of this fluid in the

207

moth
;

is

dire&ly contrary to that

liquor

which took place

from the
tail

in the caterpillar

in this the

moved

to the head, whereas in the

;

head to the
the blood in
rior parts
;

tail

moth it moves from the which anfwers the purpofes of the moth, goes from the fuperior towards the infefo that the fluid
is

but in the voracious fenfual caterpillar the order

it

inverted,
parts*

proceeds from the inferior towards the fuperior

The food of the

is

caterpillar

is

grofs

and

folic!,

and even
at

this

it.

obliged to earn with

it

much

labour and danger; but

it's

when
It

freed as

were from the jaws of death, and arrived

is it's

perfecl

form, the pureft neftar

portion,

and the

air

it's

element.

was fupplied with coarfe food, in the firft ftate, by the painful operation of it's teeth, which was afterwards digefled by a violent
trituration

of the flomach.

The

interlines are

now formed

in

a.

more

delicate manner,,

aliment,
fragrant

more pure and elegant which nature has prepared for it s ufe, from the moft:
and
fuited

to a

and beautiful
in

flowers.

Many

internal parts of the cater-

pillar difappear

the chryfalis, and

many
:

that could not

be

perceived before are

are not
lefs

now

rendered

vifible

the interior changes

furprizing than thofe of the exterior form, and are 2

;

properly fpeaking, creative of them

exterior form originates,

for

it

is

from thefe the

In
the

and to thefe it always correfponds.

a word, the creature that heretofore crept

flies
it's

upon
it

earth.,

now

freely

through the

air

and

far

from creating our -averfion by

attrads our notice

frightful prickles

and foul appearance,

By

the moft elegant fhape

and doathing,*
Yon-.

* Swammerdam's Book of Nature,

p. ip.

208

Microscopical Essays,
Yon maggot,
vileft offspring

of the earth,
:

Anfwers the genial bafenefs of his birth

Lo
In

where he

rolls

and battens with delight

I

filth,

to fmell offenfive, foul to fight

Well

pleas 'd he drinks the ftench, the dirt devours,

And
Th' Yet

prides

him

in the

puddle of his pow'rs

Carelefs, unconfcious of the beauteous gueft,

internal fpeck
in his

committed to

his breaft

bread

th' internal

fpeck grows warm,

And quickens
High
o'er
it's

into motion,

life,

and form

Far other form than that

parent

it's

fofterer bore,

worm

ordain'd to foar.

The

fon

ftill

growing

as the fire decays,

;

In radiant plume his infant form arrays

Matures

as in a foft

and

filent

womb,
tomb

Then

op'ning, peeps from his paternal

Now ftruggling,
Tries his

breaks at once into the day,

limbs,

young

and bids

his

wings difplay

Expands

his lineaments, erecls his face,

Rifes fublime o'er all the reptile race

From dew-dropt

And
The

bloffoms fips the neclar'd ftream, within the glory of the beam. * balks

induftry of the caterpillar, in fecuring itfelf for

it's

change

into the chryfalis, muft not be pafled

by

not only becaufe they

naturally lead the reader to confider and admire that

Divine
different

agency by which they are informed, but becaufe the

modes they make

ufe of cannot be properly invefligated, without

the

* Brooke's Redemption.

Microscopical Essays.
the affiftarice of glaffes, and are confequently

209

the microfccpe

we

fhall

felecl

a* proper fubje& for from a great variety, a few

inflances, to animate the reader in thefe refearches.

Some

caterpillars,

towards the time of their change, fufpend

;

themfelves from the branch of a tree, with the head downwards

in this pofition they afTume the

pupa form, and from thence im~

itfelf in this

merge a
fition,

butterfly or moth.

In order to fufpend

po-

the in feci: covers with threads that part of the branch from which it means to fufpend itfelf it places thefe in different
;

directions,

and then covers them with other threads, laying on

feveral fucceffive thicknefies, each

new

layer being final ler in fize

than that which preceded

it;

forming,

when

finifhed, a little

cone or hillock of
microfcope.
this
is

filk,

as will

be found when examined by the

itfelf

The
;

caterpillar
it

hooks

by the hinder
trials,

feet

to
it

hillock

and when

has found, by feveral

that

ftrongly fixed thereto,

throws

itfelf

forward, letting the body

it is

fall
it

with the head downwards.

Soon
the

after

thus fufpended,
this

bends

the

fore

part
;

of

body,

keeping

bent
little

pofture for fome time

then ftraitening the body, again in a

till

time bending

it,

and

fo on, repeating this operation

;

it

has

upon the back part of the pupa foon formed a flit forces itfelf through this, and extends the flit as far as the laft cru ftaceous feet; the pupa then forces upwards the fkin, as
in the fkin

we would pufh down

which the
caterpillar
itfelf
:

a flocking, by means of
till it

it's little

hooks and

the motion of the body>

has flipped
itfelf.

it

had fufpended

off to that part from But the pupa has ftill

is

to difengage

from

this fmall packet,

to which the ex u via

now reduced
the
little

here the obferver will find himlelf interefted for

animal, anxious to learn

how

the

pupa

will

quit this
fkin,

210
fkin,

Microscopical Essays.
and how
it

will

be enabled to

fix itfelf

to the hillock,

as

it

has neither arms nor legs.

A little

attention foon explains

the operation, and extricates the obferver from his embarraffment.

It feizes

the exuvia

by the

rings of the body,

;

and thus holds

tail,

itit

felf as

it

were by a pair of pincers

then,

by bending the

and by the fame method foon fufmount it lengthens out the hinder part pends j of the body, and clafps, by means of it's rings, the various foldings of the exuvia one after another thus creeping backward on the fpoils, till it can reach the hillock with the tail which, when
frees itfelf

from the old

fkin,

itfelf to

the filken

examined by the microfcope,

hooks to
fix itfelf

will

be found to be furnifhed with

by.

It is

furprizing to fee with

what exalnefs and

eafe thefe infers

perform an operation fo delicate and dangerous, which is only executed once in their life and nought elfe can account for it,,
;

but the consideration that he,

who

defigned that the caterpillar

fhould pafs through thefe changes, had provided means for that
end, regularly connecting the greater fteps
the defire of extending their fpecies,
organization,
till

by intermediate ones, forming and acting upon the

life

the purpofes of their

are completed.

Different kinds of thefe infe&s require variety in the

mode of
by a

fufpenfion
girdle

fome
a

fix
tie

themfelves in an horizontal pofition,

which they
as

round

their
;

body

this girdle appears to the

naked eye
fcope,
it

fingle thread

when examined

with the micro-

will

be found to be an affemblage of

fine threads, lying

clofe to each other, fo fixed as to fupport the caterpillar,

and yet

leave
kind,

it

in full

freedom to effe& the changes.

Like the preceding,

;

it

fixes the girdle to the branch of a tree

in this fituation
fc

Microscopical Essays.
it

211

remains for fome time motionlefs,

agitate
it's

and then begins to bend,

manner,
off
till it

move, and

body

in a very lingular

has

opened the exterior covering, which it pufhes much in the fame manner as we have defcribed
article,

and removes

in the preceding
fuf-

and yet with fuch

girdle.

dexterity, that the

pupa remains

pended by the fame

The

induftry of thofe that fpin cones, or cafes, in

which they

inclofe themfelves, in order to prepare for their transformation

in fecurity,
is

thefe that

we

more generally known, as it is from one fpecies of derive fo many benefits, namely, from the filkundergo fimilar changes with
exceed
it
it,

worm.

All caterpillars

and

many

in the butterfly ftate greatly

tiflue,

in beauty
itfelf,

but the

golden

in

which the filk-worm wraps

;

far furpaffes the

filky threads

of all the other kinds

they

may

indeed

come

forth

with a variety of colours, and wings bedecked with gold and fcarlet,

yet they are but the beings of a fummer's day

vanifh,

both their
after

life

and beauty quickly

at

and leave no remembrance

it

but the filk-worm leaves behind

fuch beneficial

them monuments, as
his

once record the wifdom of their Creator, and man. *

bounty to

The

fubftance of which the filk

is

formed,

is

a fine yellow

tranfparent
interlines,

gum, contained

in

two

refervoirs that

wind about the

and which, when they are unfolded, are about ten

drawn, or fpun, to the derequire.

inches long; they terminate in two exceeding final 1 orifices near

the mouth, through which the

filk is

gree of finenefs which

it's

occafions

may

This apparatus

has been compared to the inflrument ufed by the wire- drawers,

c 2
Silk.

and

* Pjullem on the Culture of

212-

Microscopical Essays.
filver is drawn to any degree of minuteEvery thread proceeds from thefe two refervoirs, but are
;

and by which gold and

nefs.

united afterwards
will

fo that if it is examined by the microfcope, it be found to confift of two cylinders, or threads, glued to;'

gether, with a groove in the middle

afeparation

may

fometimes

be perceived.

When
work,

the filk-worm has found a convenient fituation,

it

fets to

firft

fpinning fome loofe thread, which ferves to fupport

;

the future fuperflruclure

texture, confifting of

upon
is

thefe

it

forms an oval of a loofe

flofs filk
;

what

called the

within this

it

forms

firm

and more

confident ball of

filk,

remaining

during the whole bufinefs within the circumference of the fpheroid that
it is

forming, refting on

it's

hinder parts, and with

it's.

mouth and

fore legs directing

and

faflening the threads.

Thefe

threads are not directed in a regular circular form, but are fpua
in different fpots, in

an
it

infinite

number of zig-zag

lines

fo that

when

it is

wound

off,

proceeds in a very irregular manner,,

fometimes from one fide of the cone, then from the other.
thread,

This

when meafured,

has been found to be about three hunfine, that

dred yards long, and fo

off into

eight or ten are generally rolled

one by the manufacturers.

The filk-worm
this

ufually

emis

ploys

about three days

in finifhing

cone;
is

the infide

generally fmeared with a kind of gum, that

defigned to keep

out the rain

in this

cone

it

affumes the pupa form, and remains

therein from fifteen to thirty days, according to the

warmth of

the climate.
this

When

cone, and
{ilk.

the moth is formed, it moiftens the end of by frequent motions of the head loofens the texfo as to

ture of the

form a hole without breaking

it.

When

Microscopical Essays.

213

When
of
this
fize

the {ilk-worm has attained

full,

it's

perfect growth, the referit's

voirs of filk are

and

it is

prefled

by

fenfetions to get rid

incumbrance, and accordingly fpins a cone, the altitude

and

of which are proportioned to

it is

it's

wants

by traverfmg
attains,

backwards and forwards,

relieved,
it

and thus

by an

innate defire, the end for which

was formed.

The

fize

of the cone
;

is

not always proportioned to the

conftrucl; larger
fize.

fize

of

the caterpillar

fome that are fmall

cones than

other caterpillars which are greater in

There

is

a caterpillar which forms

it's

filken
it

cone
is

in the fhape

of a boat turned bottom upwards, whence

called

by M. de
is

Reaumur
cated,

the " coque en batteau

;"

the

conftruftion
is

compli-

and feems to require more

It confifts

art than

ufually attributed to
like (hells,

this infect*

of two principal parts, fhaped

each

which are put together with considerable fkill and propriety (hell, or fide, is framed by itfelf, and formed of an innufilk rings
;

merable quantity of minute

projection, in
ferves,

in the fore part there

is

which a fmall crevice may be perceived, which

;

connected with fo
with fprings
;

when opened, for the efcape of the moth the much art, that they open and (hut as
fo that the cone,

fides are
if

framed

from which the

is ftill

butterfly has

efcaped, appears as clofe as that which

inhabited.

Thofe which are not furnifhed with a

want with various
the perfect ftate
tying
materials,

filky cone,

fupply their

which they are

fufficiently fkilful to

form into a proper habitation, to fecure them while preparing

;

for

fome

conftrucl: theirs

with leaves and branches,

them

fail

together, and then ftrengthening the connection

others.

Microscopical Essays.
others connect thefe leaves with great regularity
;

many

ft rip

themfelves of their hairs, and form a mixture of hair and

filk

others conftruft a cone of fand, or earth, cementing the particles

with a kind of .glue

fome gnaw the wood into a kind of faw-duft,

;

and glue

it

together

with an innumerable variety of modes fuited

ftate.

to their prefent

and future
N

Of the Beetle.

To make the
affords fuch

reader more fully acquainted with a fubjecT: which

his microfcope,

abundant matter for the exercife of

I fhall proceed to defcribe, in as concife a

manner

as I

am

able,

the changes of a few infe&s of different

the beetle.

claffes,

beginning with

The
wings.

beetle

is

of the

firft

(or coleoptrous) clafs, having four

The two upper ones are cruftaceous, and form a cafe to when they are {hut, there is a longitudinal future the lower ones down the back this formation of the wings is neceffary, as the
;
:

beetle often lives under the furface of the earth, in holes

which

they dig by their

their real
fuftain,

own

induftry and ftrength.

Thefe

cafes fave

wings from the damage which they might otherwife by rubbing or crufhing againft the fides of their abode

they ferve alfo to keep the wings clean, and produce a buzzing
noife
is

when

the animal rifes in the

;

air.

The
that,

ftrength of the beetle

aftonifhing

it

has

been eftimated

bulk for bulk, their

mufcles are a thoufand times ftronger than thofe of a man.

The
the

beetle
is

is

only an infect difengaged from the pupa form

pupa

a transformation in like manner from the

worm, or
larva ?

Microscopical Essays,
larva,

215

and

this

proceeds from the egg

is

fo that here, as in the

foregoing inftances, one infect

exhibited in four different ftate s

of

life,

after paffing through three of which, and the various

miferies attendant

on them,

it is

advanced to a more perfect (hue.

:

When

a larva,

it

trains a miferable exiftence under the earth

in

the pupa form

it is

deprived of motion, and as

at pleafure
'

it

were dead.
has

But the beetle

and alfo in the
attained

itfelf lives
air,

above and under ground,

it

enjoying a higher degree of life, which

progreffion,

by flow

and

paffing through

difficulties,

affliction,

and death.
rank which the beetle holds
in

If

we judge of the

the fcale of

animation, from the places where they are generally found, from the food which nourifhes them, from the difgufting and odious

forms of many, from their antipathy to light, and their delight in darknefs, we (hall not form great ideas of the dignity of their
Situation.

But

as all things are

it is

rendered fubfervient to the laws-

of Divine order,

fufficient

for us to contemplate the wonders

life,

that are difplayed in this and every other organ of

for the

reception of which, from the

life, each individual
is

fountain and .source of all

it is

adapted, and that in a manner correfto enjoy,

ponding to the
it is

ftate

of exiftence
;

and the energies

it's

called forth to reprefent

indeed the manner of

life

exiftence

entirely depends
ceive,

and the

ftate in

on the degree of which that degree

which
is

it

is

enabled to rein
it's

communicated

defcent through different orders of being,

"

One

is

the flood which univerfal flows

And hence

the reptile, hence the feraph glows."

Brooke*

The

2l6

Microscopical Essays.
beetle
is

The egg of the rhinoceros *

of a white colour
of the
;

of an oblong round
;

figure,

the (hell thin, tender, and flexible

the teeth

worm
;

that

is

within the fhell

it is

come

to perfection before the

it is

other parts

fo that as foon as
itfelf

hatched,

capable of deit

vouring, and nourifhing

placed.
tail

with the
is

wood among which

is

The

larva, or worm,

curioufly folded in the egg, the

refting

between the
the
as

teeth,

which are difpofed on each

fhell,

fide

the belly

worm,

in

proper time, breaks the

in the

fame manner

a chicken, and crawls from thence to the next

fuitable fubftance.

The worm, when

the head
is

it

is

hatched,

is

very white, has

all

fix legs,

wrinkled naked body, but the other parts

covered with hair:

then alfo bigger than the whole body, a circumftance

in larger animals,
is

which may be obferved

and which

is

founded

on wife reafons.f
the infect
is

If the egg
it,

obferved from time to time while

within

the beating of the heart

may be perceived.
beetle, will

The
afford

eggs of the earth-worm, the

fnail,

and the

many

fubje&s for the micro fcope, and will be found to

deferve a very attentive examination.

Swammerdam was

ac-

cu Homed to hatch

them

in a

dim, covered with white paper,

which he always kept

fuch like eggs, they

in a moift flate.

To

preferve thefe and

fine

mud

be pierced with a

needle

the con-

tained liquors muft be preffed out, after which they

mould be

blown up by means of a
little

fmall glafs tube, and then filled with a

rofm diffolved in

oil

of fpike.

The
* Scaraba^us Actceon, Lin. Syft. Naf.
p. 541-3.

+ Swammerdam's Book of Nature,

pt. 1, p. 33.

Microscopical Essays,
-

217

The worm
all it's

larva ftate, changes

of the rhinoceros beetle, like other infe&s in the in order to effect which, it difit's fkin ;
excrement, and forms a convenient hole in the
it

charges

earth, in which

may perform

the wonderful operation

for

it

does not,

like the ferpent, call orf

merely an external covering,

but the throat, a part of the ftomach, and the inward furface of
the great gut, change at the fame time their fkin
increafe the wonder,
:

as if

it

were to

and to

call

forth

our attention to thefe

caft

reprefentative changes,
alfo

fome hundreds of pulmonary pipes

each

it's

delicate (kin, a tranfparent

fkull

membrane

is

taken from

the eyes,

and the

remains fixed to the exuvia.

After the operation, the head and teeth are white and tender,

though

at other times as

hard

as a bone

fo that the larva,

when

provoked, will attempt to

tomical defcription of this

gnaw iron. For an worm, I mull refer the

it,

accurate ana-

reader to M..
author's

Swammerdam
firfl

he

will find

like

the reft of this

works, well worthy of his attentive perufal.

killed
it

To

diffecT: it,

he

in fpirits

of wine, or furTocated
it

it

in rain water rather

more than lukewarm, not taking

hours.

out from thence for fome

This preparation prevents an improper contraction of

the mufcular fibres.

When

the time approaches for the

it

worm

to

take

upon
it

it

the

pupa form,

generally penetrates deeper into the ground,* or

it

thofe places where

eafily fuit to it's

inhabits, to find a fituation that

can more
a

fubfequent procefs.

Having found

proper
place.

D
* The
larva of tliofe beetles
;

d
under ground are

which

live

in general heavy, idle,

and voracious
a&ive.

en

the contrary, the larva

which

inhabit the waters are exceedingly

1218

Microscopical Essays,
form with
their hinder feet a polifhed cavity, in this
;

place, they

they

lie

for

fome time immoveable

after

which, by voiding exit

crementitious fubftances, and by the evaporation of humidity,

becomes thinner and

fo that
it

fliorter,the (kin
if it

more furrowed and wrinkled,

If it be dif-

foon appears as

was ftarved by degrees.

fered about
are changing

this period, the

head, the belly, and the thorax, mayinternal parts

be clearly diftinguifhed.

While fome external and

by a flow

accretion, others are gently diftended

by

the force of the blood and impelled humours.

tracking
itfelf,

The body

con-

while the blood

is

propelled towards the fore-

parts, forces the fkull

open
back

in three parts,

and the fkin in the

eyes, the horns,
this

middle of the back is feparated, by means of an undulating motion

of the
the

incifions of the

at the

fame time the

lips,

&c.

call

their
is

exuvia.
diffufed

During

operation,

a thin watery
fldn,

humour

between the old and new

which renders the feparation

eafier.

The procefs going on

it's

gradually, the

worm
;

is

at laft

difengaged from

Ikin,

and the

limbs and parts are, by a continual unfolding, transformed into

the pupa ftate after which, it twifts and compreffes the exuvia by the fundament, and throws it towards the hinder part under The pupa is at this time very delicate, tender, and the belly.
flexible;

and affords a moft

aftonifhing appearance to an attentive

it is

obferver.

Swammerdam thinks

fcarce to be equalled

among

the wonders which are difplayed in the infecl part of the creation;
in
it

the future parts of the beetle are finely exhibited, fo difpofed

as foon to

and formed,
perfecl: ftate

be able to ferve the creature in a more

of life* and to put on a more elegant form.

The

Microscopical Essays.
The pupa * of this infeft much heavier than it does in
{

21CJ

weighs, a
it's

little
;

after
this
is

it's

change,

beetle Mate

alfo the cafe

been found to weigh ten times as much as the hornet itfelf this is probably occafioned by a fuperabundant degree of moifture, by which thefe infecls are kept in a hate of inactivity (a kind of pre;

with the pupa of the bee and hornet.

The

latter has

ternatural dropfy)

till it

is

in

fome meafurc

diffipated; in prodries';

portion as this moifture

is

evaporated, the {kin hardens and

fome days are

If the (kin
is

required to fweat off this fuperfluous moif ure.

taken off at this time,

;

many

curious circumilances
is,

may be

noted

but what claims our attention moft

fb

that the

horn, which
turity, that

is

hard in the male beetle when in a

ftate

of main

it

will bear to

be fharpened againft a grindftone, f

the

pupa

ftate is quite foft,

and more

like

fluid

than a folid

fubftance.

How

long the fcene of mutation continues

is

not

known

fome remain during the whole winter, more particularly thofe who quit the larva ftate in autumn, when a fudden cold
checks their further operations, and confequently they remain

without any food for feveral months.

beetle tribe

Some

fpecies of the

go through

all

the ftages of their exiftence in a feafon,

while others employ near four years in the procefs, and live as

winged

infecls a year.

When

the proper time for the final

change

arrives, all the

oft

mufcular parts grow iirong, and are thus more able to fhake

D
* Swamrr.e 'dam's

d 2

their

Bock of Nctu.e,

p.

144*

f Mouftet, p. 152.

320

Microscopical Essays.
which
is

their laft integuments,

manner
(late, fo

as in the paffage

of the

infecl;

performed exa&ly in the fame from the larva to the pupa

is

that

in

this laft {kin,

which

extremely delicate, the

traces of the

pulmonary

tubes, that

have been pulled off and turned

out, again

become

vifible.

All parts of the

infecl;,

and more particularly the wings and

i

their cafes, are at this

fluids

time fwelled and extended, by the air and

arteries

which are driven into them through the

;

and pul-

monary tubes
the blood

the wings are at this period foft as wet paper,

and
very

iffues

from them on the

proper

leaft

wound

but

when they
is

have acquired

their

c^onfiftency,

which

in the elytra

confiderable, they will not give the leaft fign of

any

fluid

within

them, though cut or torn almoft afunder.

The pupa

being difengaged from

it is

it's

{kin, affumes a different

form, in which

dignified with the

name of a

beetle, with

difference of fex, being either

male or female.

The
mer

infee~l

now

begins to enjoy a
;

life

far preferable to

it's

for-

ftate

of exiftence
it

from

living in dirt

and

filth,

under briars

and thorns,
itfelf

now

raifes itfelf

towards the

flues,

and

fuftains

with the oozing liquors of flowers.

Of the Musca Chameleon.

We proceed to illuftrate the nature of the different transformaby giving an account of the mufca chameleon in the worm or larva condition it lives in the water, breathes by
tions in infecls,
:;

the

tail,

and

carries

it's

legs within a little fnout near

it's

mouth.
When-'

Microscopical Essays.
When
it is

221
it

arrived at the time for

it's

pupa

ftate,

goes through
Lallly, in

the change without calling off the fkin of the larva.

the imago, or
fly ft ate,
it

would

infallibly perifli
it

in the water:

the element, which had hitherto fupplied

with

life

and motion,

would now be
This

it's

immediate deftruclion.

Habitat larva in aquis dulcibus

folet.

as mufca chameleon. mufca fupra aquam obambulare In a former edition of the Fauna Suecica he called it
infecl: is

characterized

by Linnaeus
;

oeftrus aquae

;-

but on a more minute examination, he found

it

was

a mufca

befides, the larvae

of

all

known oeftri

are nourifhed in

the bodies of animals.

The
by

larva of this infecl,

when viewed by

the naked eye, api

;.

pears to conlift of twelve annular di virions, fee Plate XI. Fig.

thefe
it is

feparated into a head, thorax, and

inteftines lie equally in the

abdomen

but

as the

flomach and
it

thorax and abdo-

men,

is

not eafy to diftinguifh their limits until the infedi

ftate.

approaches the pupa

the naked eye, are the

The parts mod worthy of notice, when this infect is viewed by tail and fnout. The tail is furnifhed wick
circle

an elegant crown or
annular form
;

of hair

b, difpofed quite
tail is

round

it

in

an

by means of this the

fupported
is

on

the fur-

face of the water while the

worm

or larva

moving

therein, the
;

body

in the

mean while hanging towards

the bottom

it

will

fometimes remain in

this fituation for a confiderable time,

without

the leaft fenfible motion.

When it
it

has a

mind

to fink to the bot-

tom by means of it's

6

tail,

generally bends the hairs of that part

towards each other in the middle, but

much

clofer towards the

extremity

222
extremity
;

Microscopical Essays.
by
this

means a hollow fpace

it

is

formed,

and the
XI.

bladder of air pent up in

It is

looks like a pearl, Fig.

bubble, or
little

2, Plate

by the
it

afftftance

of

this

balloon, that the inIf this bubble

;

fect raifes itfelf

again to the furface of the water.

it

efcapes,

can replace

from the pulmonary tubes

fometimes

large quantities of air

tail

may be

feen to arife in bubbles from the

of the

worm

to the furface of the water,

and there mix with

the incumbent atmofphere.

This operation

may be
it

eafily feen

by placing the

worm

in

glafs full

of water, where

will afford

a very entertaining fpeclacle.

The
middle

fnout
is

is

divided into three parts, of which that in the

;

immoveable
;

the

two other

parts

grow from the

fides

of the former

thefe are moveable, vibrating in a very lingular

manner,

like the

tongues of lizards and ferpents.

is

The

greater!

ftrength of the creature

it is
it

fixed in thefe lateral parts of the fnout

on

thefe that

it

walks
it's

when

it is

out of the water, appearing

it,

as

were to walk on

mouth, ufing

as the parrot does

it's

beak, to

move

(climb) with greater advantage.

We

fhall

now

confider the external figure of this

It is

worm,

as

it

appears with the microfcope.

fmall towards the head, larger

it

about thofe parts which

may be

confidered as the thorax,

then

grows
fharp
ftar.

fmaller, converging, at the

tail,

furrounded with hairs

abdomen, terminating in a in the form of the rays of a

This worm, the head and

divifions,
It's

tail

included, has twelve annular

Fig. 3, Plate

2,2,

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,

XL

ikin refembles the covering of thofe animals that are provided

with

Microscopical Essays.
%ith a cruftaceous habit, more than
or caterpillars
;

223

it

does that of naked

worms
diftri-

it is

moderately hard, and like the rough fkin called

fet

fhagreen, being thick

with a number of grains, evenly

is

buted.
flexible.

The

fubftance of the fkin

firm and hard, and yet very

On

each fide of the body are nine fpiracula, or holes, for the
j

purpofe of refpiration

there are

no fuch holes

vifible
;

on the

for at tail ring a, nor on the third ring counting from the head the extremity of the tail there is an opening for the admiffion and

expulfion of air

in the third ring the fpiracula are very fmall,

fkin,

and appear only under the

wings of the future
pillars, in general,
fly

near the place where the embryo

It is

are concealed.

remarkable that cater-

have two
fly

rings without thefe fpiracula; perflies

haps, becaufe they change into

this

with four wings

whereas,

worm

produces a

that has only two.

The

fkin has three different {hades

of colour;

it is

adorned with

oblong black furrows, with fpots of a

light colour,

and orbicular
repre-

rings, from which there generally fprings a hair, as in the figure

before us, only the hair that grows on the infe&'s fide
fented
hairs c
;

is

befides this
e.

there are here and there fome other larger

The

difference of colour in this

;

worm

arifes

from the

quantity of grains in the fame fpace

is

for in

proportion as there

a greater or

leffer

quantity of thefe, the furrows and rings are

of a deeper or paler colour.

The head d
fkin, the grains

is

divided into three parts, and covered with a

difcernible.

on which are hardly

lie

The
It

eyes are

rather protuberant, and

forwards near the fnout.

has

alfo^

tWQ>

$24
two fmall horns
ther lingular
i i

Microscopical Essays.
on the
fore-part of the head.
;

The
is

fnout

is-

crooked, and ends in a fharp point as at f

but what

altoge-

and furprizing, though no doubt wifely contrived by the great and Almighty Architect, is, that this infecYs legs are placed near the fnout, between the fmuffes, in which the eyes are
fixed.

Each of thefe
is

legs confifts of three joints, the outermoft

ftiff

of which

covered with hard and

hairs like briftles.

From

the next joint there fprings a horny bone h h, which the infect
ufes as a kind

of thumb

the joint
;

is

alfo

of a black fubftance,
is

between bone and horn

nature.

in hardnefs

the third joint

of the fame

To
fides

diftinguifh thefe particulars, the parts that

form the

upper

of the mouth and the eyes muft be feparated by

;

means of a fmall fine knife

you may
is

then, by the affiftance of

articulated

the microfcope, perceive that the leg

fome particular ligaments, with that portion of the which anfwers

to the lower

infects

by means of mouth

then alfo difcern

jaw in the human frame. the mulcles which ferve to move the

We
legs,

may
and
thofe

draw them up into a cavity that lies between the fnout and parts of the mouth which are near the horns i i.
This
infect

not only walks with thefe legs at the bottom of the

water, but even

moves

itfelf

wife

makes ufe of them

in the water
arifes

to

on land by means of them it likefwim, while it keeps it's tail on the fur;

face contiguous to the

air,
;

and hangs downward with the

reft

of

the
it

body

in this fituation
it's

no motion

is

perceived in

but what

from

legs,

manner.

It is

reafonable to

moves in a moil elegant conclude from what has been faid,

which
it

that the principal part of the creature's ftrength

lies in

thefe legs

nor

will

it

be

difficult

for thofe

who

are acquainted with the

nature of the ancient hieroglyphics (which are

now opening

fo

clearly)

Microscopical Essays.
clearly) to fix the rank

225
life,

of this

infecl:

in animated
ftate

and point
it

out thofe orders of being, and the moral

receives
it's

through which

form and habits of life.

black and hard, the back part

The
hollow

fnout

is

is

quite folid, and

f,

fomewhat of a globular form, whereas the

;

front,

is

fharp and

on the back part three membranaceous

divifions

may be

obferved, by means of which, and the mufcles contained in the

fnout, the infecl: can at pleafure

expand or contract

it.

The tail is The extreme

conftru&ed and planned with great

verge, or border,
is

fkill

and wifdom.
hairs,

furrounded by thirty
;

and

the fides adorned with others that are fmaller

large hairs branch out into fmaller ones,
as fingle hairs.
in
this

here and there the

which may be reckoned

grains, as

Thefe
place
is

hairs

are

all

rooted in the outer fkin,

which
feen

covered with rough

may be

by cutting it off, and holding it up, when dry, againft the By the fame mode you will light, upon a thin plate of glafs.
of the hairs there are alfo grains like
tail

find, that at the extremities

thofe of the fkin

in the

middle of the

there

is

fin all

open-

ing

within
lets

it

are

minute holes, by which the

it

infecl:

takes in

and

out the air

breathes.
as

The

hairs

are very feldom dif-

pofed in fo regular a manner

Plate

XL

except

when
with

they are reprefented in Fig. 3; the infecl floats with the body in the
it's

water,
for

and the
are

tail

hairs a

little

lower than the

as

furface,
in

they

then

difplayed

exactly

delineated
tail

the

plate.

The

leaft

motion downward of the

it

produces a con-

cavity in the water, and

then afiumes the figure of a wine glafsv

wide

at the top,

narrow

at the

bottom.

The

226

Microscopical Essays.
tail

The

ferves the larva

it

both for the purpofes of fwimming

tail

and breathing, and

thefe
hairs

receives through the

life

that

which

is

the

univerfal principle of
it

and motion
itfelf at

in animals.

By means of

when fwimming, or remain fufpended quietly in the water for any length of time.
pleafure

can flop

The motion of this infect in fwimming is very beautiful, efpecially when it advances with it's whole body floating on the furface of the water, after filling itfelf with air
out,
it it firft

bends the body to the right

by the tail. To fet or left, and then contracls

ft retches it

in the
:

form of the

letter S,

and again

out in a

{trait line

body,

it

by thus alternately contracting and then extending the moves along on the furface of the water. It is of a very
and not difturbed by handling.
in

quiet difpofition,

Thefe larva are generally to be found

fhallow Handing

waters, about the beginning of June, fooner or later as the fum-

mer is more or
found
in great

lefs

favorable

in

fome

feafons
it is

they are to be

numbers, while in others

no eafy matter to
in ditches,

meet with them.

which grows

They

love to crawl on the plants and grafs

in the water,

and are often to be met with

floating on the furface of the water

by means of
dirt

their tail, the

;

head and thorax

fituation

at the

fame time hanging down

and

in this

they will turn over the clay and

with their fnqut and

feet in fearch
is

of food, which
1

is

generally a vifcous matter that

fides

common in final worm is very harmlefs,

at
firft

ponds and about the

of ditches.

This

contrary to the opinion one might form

legs,
fl

from the furprizing vibratory motion of the which refembles the brandifhings of an envenomed tongue or
fight,

ing

They

are moft

eafily killed for difleBion in fpirit

of turpentine.

Microscopical Essays.
After a certain period they pafs into the pupa form
;

227

when

they are about to change, they betake themfelves to the herbs

that float
till

on the

furface of the water,

at length they lie

;

and creep gently thereon, partly on the dry furface, and partly on the

water

when

in the larva or

pupa

ft ate,

they can live in water, but

flies
:

can by no means inhabit there when changed into

indeed,

which he cannot do worms have found a proper fituation, they by degrees contract themfelves, and, in a manner fcarce perThe inward parts of the ceivable, lofe all power of moving, worm's tail now feparate from the outmoft {kin, and become
whilft in the uterus, lives in water,

man alio,

afterwards.

When

thefe

greatly contracted

this

probably gives the infect a great deal of

pain

by

this

contraction, an
air

empty fpace

is left

in the exterior

fkin, into

which the

foon penetratesi

Thus

this infect paries into the

pupa

ftate

under

it's

own

fkin,

entirely different

from that of the

;

caterpillar,

which

calls

off the

exterior (kin at this time

this

change

may
is

often be obferved to

take place in the fpace of ten or twelve hours, but in what

it is

manner
un-

performed we are ignorant,

as

it

effected in a hidden
it

known way,
"dew.

inwardly within the fkin,

which conceals

from our

Whilft the larva

is

changing under the

fkin, the

body, head 3

and

tail,

feparate infenfibly from their

time, and

outward

vefture.

The

legs at this

their cartilaginous bones, are,

left

of the parts which are withdrawn from them,

on account empty; the

worm

lofes

alfo

now

the former

fkull,

the beak, together with

the horny bones belonging thereto, which remain in the fkin of

the exuvia.

It is

worthy of

notice, that, the optic nerves feparate

e 2

alfo-

228
alfo

Microscopical Essays,
from

the eyes, and no more perform their office. The mufof the rings alfo in like manner, and a great part of the pulmonary points of refpiration, are feparated from, the external
cles

Thus the whole body contracts itfelf by degrees into a At this time the gullet and the pulmonary tubes caft a coat within the fkin. To make this evident, it is neceffary to open the abdomen, when the pupa, it's parts, to gether with the caft off pulmonary pipes, may be clearly feen.
fkin.

fmall compact mafs.

An
beft

exact account of

all

the changes of the interior parts

is

to

be found in Swammerdam's Book of Nature.

Thefe changes are

fkin,

examined by taking the pupa out of the

it

or outfide cafe,

when

begins to harden

for as

it

has not then quite attained the

pupa form, and the members

they will

are

fomewhat

different

from what

be when

in that ftate,

it is

more
is

eafy to obferve their

fome days older, and has loft the greateft part of the fuperfluous humours. The pupa the interior one is a thin memis inclofed in a double garment
;

refpective fituation, than

when

the pupa

brane, which invefts

is

it

very clofely

the other, or exterior one,

larva, within
:

formed of the outermoft hard (kin of the

it's

which

it

performs
gives
it

changes in an

invifible

manner

it is

this fkin
ftate.

which

the appearance of the larva while in the

pupa

When

the time .approaches that the hidden infect,

it's

now

in the
fly,

pupa form within

perfect ftate,

old covering,

is

to attain the imago,

in

or

which generally happens

about eleven days after

the preceding change, the fuperfluous humours are evaporated by

infenfible perfpiration.
fifth

The

little

pupa

is

contracted unto the

ring of the fkin, and the four laft rings of the

abdomen

are

filled

with

air,

through the aperture

in the refpiratory orifice

of
the

Microscopical Essays,
the
tail.

229
little

This

may be

feen

by expofmg the pupa a

it's tail

while

to the rays

of the fun, and then putting

it

in water,

when
by ex-

you

will find

breathe ftronger than

it's tail,

it

did before, and,

it

preffing an air-bubble out of

will manifeftly

and then fucking

in again,

The

perform the aclion of infpiration and exfpiration. anterior part of the pupa is drawn back from the fkin, and
it,

having partly deferted

breaft, the little

the beak, head, and

lies Hill,

firft

ring of the

creature

until

it's

exhaling members

have acquired ftrength to

furround
it.

burft

the

two membranes

which

If the exterior cafe

variety of colour
inverts the pupa.

is

opened near

.this

period, a wonderful

may be perceived through the thin fkin which The colours of many of the different parts are
parts

now changed; fome

fome
flefhy,

from aqueous become membranaceous,

fenfibly fhaggy, the feet

and others cruftaceous. The whole body becomes inand claws begin to move the variations
:

may be

accurately obferved by opening a pupa every day until the time of change. For this purpofe they mould be laid on
f

white paper, in an earthen dim

they
glafs
:

mould

alfo

be made fome-

what
to fix
little

moift,
it's

and be kept under a

to,

the paper ferves the

pupa

claw

when they come

forth in the
difh,

water mould be poured into the

form of a fly. A to keep the pupa from

drying and fuffocation.

When
ufes all

the

fly

begins to appear, the exterior (kin

;

is

feen to

move about
it's

the third

efforts to

and fourth anterior ring the infect then promote it's efcape, and to quit the interior

and

exterior fkin at one

;

and the fame

time.

The

exterior fkin

is

divided into four parts

~

the infect immediately afterwards breaks

open

23

Microscopical E ss ays.
it's

open

inner coat, and calling

it off,

efcapes from the prifon in

fly.

which

it

was entombed, in the form of a beautiful

is it

It is to

be

obferved here, that there

the outermoft fkin
order, always
;

nothing accidental in the breaking of

is

but

perfectly ordained

by a conftant
changes

happening in the fame manner

in thofe places

in all thefe

the fkin alfo

is,

where

it is

broke open, fo eircumtogether

ftanced by the Author of nature, as

if joined

by

futures.

When
in water

the wings are expanded, the

:

little

creature immediately
that lived before

enters into another date of life

for the infect

and mud, now

vifits

the fields and meadows, being

elegant wings.*

tranfported through the air

on

it's

The larva

a.

queue de

rat

f (mufea
:

pendula, Lin.)

is

alfo trans-

formed under the IMn, which hardens, and forms a cafe or general covering to the pupa two horns are pufhed out, while it
is

in this ftate,
:

from the

interior parts

they ferve the purpofe of

refpiration

this larva will

be more particularly defcribed in a

fubfequent part of this chapter.

The
ftate

infects in this elafs,

that

is,

thofe that pafs into the

pupa

under the fkin of the

larva, go.

through a change more

(according to

M. de Reaumur) than

the caterpillar, undergoing

a change while under their Ikin, before they affume the

form.

pupa

The
the
laft

aquatic larva of the mufca chameleon retains

;

it's

form to

but there are

many

infects that are

transformed under
their.

* Swammerdam's

Book of

Nature,

pt. 2, p. 58.

+ Reaum. 8vo.

edit, torn, 4, pt. 2,

n mem.

p. 199, plate

30 and 31,

LICROSCOPIC AL ESSAYS.
their fldn,

23S
In thefe
Ihorter,
cruf-

which form a cone or

firft
it's

cafe for the pupa.

the

larva lofes

length;
;

the

body becoming

aftumes the figure of

an egg

and the (kin forms a hard and

taceous cafe, or folid lodging, for the embryo infect.

Of the Libellula.
In the
fects

libellula,

or dragon

are termed in the the egg in the figure which they preferve, till the from proceed time comes of alfuming their wings, and who walk, act, and eat,
as well
till

who

we have an inftance of thofe inpupa ftate femicompleta, that is, who

fly,

that period as afterwards.

Of

all

the

flies

which adorn or

diverfify

the face of nature,

:

there are few, if any,

are almofl of all

more

beautiful than the libellula

" they

^
r
lV"'~*"^

colours,

green,

blue,

crimfon, fcarlet, and

tints,

white; fome unite a variety of the

in one animal,

mod

vivid

and

exhibit,

more
itfelf is

different fhades

than are to be found in the

is

rainbow."

The

larva of the libellula

an inhabitant of the

water, the fly

thereof.

generally found hovering on the borders

Thefe

infects are

produced from an egg which

;

is

depofited in

by the parent the egg fmks to the bottom, and remains there till the young infect finds ftrength to break the flielL The larva is hexapode, and is not quite fo long as the fly on
the water
;

the trunk are four prominencies, or

little

bunches, which become

more apparent,
changes
it's

in proportion as the larva increafes in fize

and

(kin.

Thefe bunches contain the rudiments of the

wings, which adorn the infect

when

in

it's

perfect ftate,

The

Microscopical Essays.
The head of thelarvaof this
head,
infect is

exceedingly Angular, being

covered with a mafic which goes over the whole fore part of the

having proper cavities within to

fits it
;

fuit the different

pro-

minencies of the face, and

mafic does the

more exactly than the common

of a triangular form, growing

human

face
:

it is

fmaller towards the bottom

at the
;

bottom there

is

a knuckle

which
pivot.

fits

a cavity near the neck

on

this part it turns as

on a
can

The upper
down

part of this

mafk

is

divided into two pieces,

;

or fhutters, which the infect can open or clofe at pleafure

alfo let

it

the whole

mafk whenever
like a faw.
It

it

pleafes.

The

edges

of the fhutters are toothed

to feize

makes ufe of the mafk

and hold

it's

prey.

There
top of it,

is

a confiderable difference in the fhape of thefe mafks in

different fpecies

of the

libellula,

fome having two claws near the

in or out at pleafure,

which they can throw

and which
it

make
feeds.

it

a very formidable inflrument to the infects on which

Thefe animals generally

water,

live

and feed
;

at the

bottom of the

fwimming only occafionally their manner of fwimming, or rather moving in the water, is curious, being by fudden jerks given at intervals but this motion is not occafioned by their legs, which at this time are kept immoveable and clofe to the
;

body it is by forcing Out a ftream of water from the tail, that this may be eafily perceived by the body is carried forwards placing them in a flat veffel, in which there is only jufl water enough to cover the bottom. Here the action of the water fquirted
:

'

from their

tail will

be very

vifible

it

will occafion afmall current,

and give a

fenfible

motion

to

any

light bodies that are lying

on

Microscopical Essays.
the furface thereof.

233
intervals,

This aclion can only be effe&ed at

infe6t. is

becaufe after each ejaculation the

obliged to take a frefh

it's

fupply of water.

The

larva will fometimes turn

tail

above the
it,

furface of the water,

little

and force out a fmall ftream from fountain, and with confiderable force.
but very

as

from

The pupa

differs

little

containing the wings, grow large,

fhort thick wings.
It
is

from the larva; the bunches, and begin to appear like four
and
it

full

as lively as the larva, feeking

:

enjoying
full
it

it's

food in the fame manner

is

when

it

is
it's

arrived at
laft

growth, and

nearly ready to go .through

change,

approaches the edge of the water, or comes entirely out of it, fixing itfelf firmly to lb me piece of wood or other fubftance by It remains for fome time immoveable it's acute claws. the fkin
;

then opens down the back, and on the head

opening they exhibit the real head and eyes, and at length the legs it then creeps forward by degrees, drawing it's wings, and then the body, out of the fkin. The wings, which are moift and folded,
;

through

this

now expand themfelves

tended
is
till it

to their real fize

it's

the

body

is

alfo ex-

has gained

proper dimenfions, which extenfion

fluids.

accompliihed by the propelling force of the circulating

the wings antl limbs are dry,
life,
it
it

When
{late

enters
it's

on a more noble
mate.

of

now wings

the air and feeks

What

terms expreflive

may

relate
cl ft ate
!

The

change, the fplendor of their new-form

In ev'ry eye ten thoufand brilliants blaze,

And

living pearls the vail horizon gaze

Ff

Gem mo

234

Microscopical Essays.
Gemm'd o'er their heads, the mines of India gleam* And heaven's own wardrobe has array 'd their frame
Where
.

colours blend an ever-varying dye,

in their

And wanton

gay exchanges

vie.

The
palfes

females of the gall

;

infecl,

which have no wings,

pals,

through no transformation

while the male, which has two wings,,

before
it

through the pupa

flate

becomes a
gall infecl:
this,

fly,.

The

onlyis-,

change which takes place in the female

however, a very confiderable one)
time
it

(and which

is

that after a certain

to-

fixes itfelf to the

itfelf

branch of the

tree,

without being able

in fize,

detach

it

afterwards increafes
;

much

and becomes
th$-

like a true gall

the female,
life,

greater part of her

to the place

by remaining thus fixed, for where me was firft feen,

;

has;

very
life

little

the appearance of an animal

it is

in this period their

of thei?while

that they

grow moft,

and produce

young*
;

they appear a portion of the branch they, adhere to

and what is

more

lingular, the larger they grow, the lefs they

look like ani?

.

mals, and while they are

employed

in laying

thoufands of eggs5

one would take them for nothing but mere

of gall
infects
is

galls.

The

genera-

veiy. extenfive;
tree*.

they are to be found on almoft:

every hrub and

The
till

pucerons, to arrive at their perfect

ftate, pafs'

through,

that of the femicomplete pupa, and. their- wings

do
all

not.

appear;

they have quitted their pupa. flate

but as in

the families off

not;
re-

pucerons there are

forget
to

many who never become winged, we mult

that tfiefe undergo

obferve,

no transformation,
figure,
is

maining always the fame, without changing their

they increafe in
fize,

though,

and. change their fkiru

It

remarkable^.
that?

Microscopical Essays.
that

235

amongft infe&s of the fame kind fome individuals mould be transformed, while others are not at all changed thefe infecls
:

will

be confidered more

fully in

another part of

this chapter.

Mr. Reaumur * has {hewn that the

from
as big as the mother,

fpider

fly

(hyppobofca

equina/ Lin.) lays fo large an egg, that the fly

it is

which proceeds
infecl pro-

though the egg does not increafe

it
is

the leaft in fize from the time

Hi ft laid.

The
;

ceeds alfo from the egg in the imago, or

fly ftate

it is

probably
it

transformed in the egg, for Mr.

Reaumur

has found

in

the

pupa

flate therein,

and having boiled fome of

their eggs

which

had been

laid for

fome days, he found the

infeft in the

form of
are

an oval ball, fimilar to that the

generally found
larva, which,
in.

pupa of flies with two wings

thinks that the egg
elfe to
itfelf is

De Geer
it.

a true
to dif-

when

is

born, has nothing

do but
it
;

engage

it's

limbs, &c. from the (hell

which covers
there
is

and he

thinks this the

feen
in
this

more probable,
but
it
is

becaufe

no embryo
motion

egg,

entirely

filled

with the infecl

in

he has

alfo

perceived
it

a contracting

and

dilating

the. egg, while

was in the .belly of the mother, and

lain
;

imme-

diately after

it

was

circumftances which do not agree with

a fimple egg.

As Mr. Bonnet + has attempted

to the reader;
it

to give a theory of thefe various

it

changes, the following extract from

will, I

hope, prove agreeable

will at leaft tend to render his ideas

of this won-

derful fubjecl clearer,

and

will

probably open to his mind

many

new

fources of contemplation.

F f2
* Reaumur,
t

An
Contemplation of Nature, &c.

torn. 6,

mem.

14.
les

Bo'inet Conilderations fur

corps organifes.

236

Microscopical Essays.
infecl:

An
fore
five
it

that muft caft off

it's

exuvia, or moult five times be-

attains the

pupa

ftate,

may be

confidered as compofed of

by common
tree
is

organized bodies, inclofed within each other, and nourifhed vifcera, placed in the center what the bud of the
:

to the invifible buds

it

contains, fuch
it

is

the exterior part

it's

of the

caterpillar to the interior bodies

conceals in

bofom.

Four of thefe bodies have the fame effential ftruclure, namely, that which is peculiar to the infecl in it's larva or caterpillar ftate
:

the

fifth

body
is

is

that of the pupa.

The

refpedive ftate of thefe

from the center of the thofe that are fartheft off have moft confidence, or unfold themfelves fooneft.
animal
;

bodies

in proportion to their diftance

When
terior

the exterior body has attained

is

it's

full

growth, that in;

one which

next in order

is

confiderably unfolded
it

it is

then lodged in too narrow a compafs, therefore

fides the {heath

ftretches

on

all

which covers

it

the veffels which nourifh the exthis violent diftenfion, ceafe

;

ternal covering, being

aft,

broken by

to

the fkin wrinkles and dries

is

up

at length

it

opens, and the

infecl

c loathed

with a

new
fafts

fkin,

and new organs.

day or two preceding each
ftate in

The
change
it

infecl;
;

generally
is

for a

this

probably occafioned by the violent

which

then

is,

or
it

it

may be neceffary
may, the
infecl
is

to prevent obftruclions, ckc. let

this

be

as
it's

always very weak after

it

has:

changed

fkin, the parts

being as yet affecled by the exertions

they have gone through.

The

fcaly parts, as the

head and

legs,

are almoft entirely membranaceous,

that infinuates itfelf

and imbrued with a

(kins,

fluid

between the two

and thus

facilitates

their

Microscopical Essays,
their reparation
;

237
all

this

moiflure evaporates

by degrees,

the

parts acquire a confidence,

and the

infect, is

then in a condition,

to aft.

The

firft

ufe that

feme
is

caterpillars,

who

live

on

leaves,
;

make

of their new form,

they do not wait

to

devour greedily

their exuvia

fometimes
;

till

their

jaws have acquired

{hell

their full ftrength

from which they proceeded, and even the eggs of fuch caterpillars as have not been
hatched.

fome have been feen to gnaw the

When we have once

new organs
than a

formed the idea that

all

the exterior parts

are inlaid, or included one within the other, the production of

does not appear fo embarraffing, being nothing more but it is more difficult to fimple developement
;

form any conception of the changes that happen in the vifcera

before and after the transformation, the various modifications,

they undergo eluding our refearches.

that a
little

We have

already obferved,

before the change the caterpillar rejecls the

:

membrane
di gelled
is

that lines the mteftinal bag

this

bowel has hitherto

only grofs food, whereas

it

muff hereafter digeft that which

very delicate

a fluid that circulates in the caterpillar, from the

hind part towards the head, circulates a contrary way after transformation.
to indicate,

Now

if this

inverfion

is

as real as obfervation leems,

how amazing

the change the interior parts of the ani!

mal muft have undergone

clutters

When

the caterpillar moults, imail

off with the exuvia,
3

of

trje

tracheal veffels are

call:

and

new

ones are fubftituted in their

are

room

but

how

is

this effected,

how

the lungs

replaced by other lungs ?

The more we
endeavour

23 8

Ml CROSCOPICAL
this fubject,

E'S'S

AYS,

endeavour to inveftigate
enveloped in darknefs.

the

more we

find

it

is

employed conformable to the laws of Divine Providence, to change the vifcera, and give them a new form, they are alfo unfolding divers other organs, which were
life

Whilft the powers of

are

ufelefs

to the infecl

while in the larva

ftate,

but which are

neceffary to that

which fucceeds.
carried

That
during

thefe interior operations

is

of

life

may be
into
is

on with greater energy, the animal

this

thrown
crafium

a kind of Deep;

period, the corpus

diftributed into all the parts, in order to bring

them

to perfection, while the evaporation of the fuperfluous

humours
which

makes way

for the elements of the fibres to

clofely.

approach each other,

in the infide,
veflels, are

and unite more

confolidated

The

little

wounds

have been occafioned by the rupture of the

;

gradually

thofe parts

which had been violently exercifed,

veflels are effaced,

recover their tone, and the circulating fluids infenfibly find their

new

channel.

Laftly,

many

and turned
infeL

into

a liquid fediment, which

is rejected

by the

.perfect.

When

thefe various changes are. considered,

we
of

are furprized

at the fingularity

of the means the

Author

nature

has

made choice
to perfection

of,
;

in order to bring the different fpecies of animals

<i(k,

and are apt to

it

why

the caterpillar was

not

born a moth? why

pafies

through the larva and pupa fiate?

why

all

infects -that
?

are transformed do not undergo the

:qu ell ions that

fame

change

Thefe, and a variety of

effe

may be

fiarted

concerning the

and effence of thofe exiftences which appear

is

before us, derive their folution from the general fyfrem which

unknown

to us.

If

all

were to arrive at perfection at once, the

chain

Microscopical Essays.
slain would be broken, the creature unhappy, and
fall.

man moft

AmongrV
and

infers,

fome
;

are

produced

fiich

as

they will be

during their whole

are hatched

lives

others

come

forth inclofed in an egg,

variation,;

from

this in a

form that admits of.no

world under a form which differs but little from that which they have when arrived, at an age of maturity fome again aflume various forms, that are more or lefs remote

many come

into the

from that which

conftitutes

their perfect ftate

laftly,

fome go

through part of thefe transformations in the belly of the mother, and are born of an equal, fize with their parent.

By thefe

various changes, a fingle individual unites within

itfelf

two- or three different fpecies, and becomes fucceffively the inhabitant of two or three worlds : and how great is the diverfity
.

of

it's

operation- in thefe various abodes

Let us
of,
if.

alfo confider

what riches we had been horn in. it's

Since

mould! have been deprived

perfect ilate.

the filk-worm

it

has been ffiewn that the larva or caterpillar

.

is

really

the moth, crawling, eating, and fpinning, under the form of theworm, and that the pupa is only the moth fwathed up, it is
clear that they are not three
felfs,

or three perfons, but that the

fame individual
time,

feels,

taftes, fees,

and

a6te

by

different organs, at;

different periods of

it's life,,

having; fenfations and wants at one

;

which

it.

has not at another

thefe wants

and fenfations

always bearing a relation to the organs which

excite them.

240

Microscopical Essays.

On the Respiration
As
refpiration
is

of

Insects.
life

one of the moft important actions in the

of
to

every animal, great pains have been taken by

inveftigate the nature of this aclion in infects

many naturalifts
to prove
it's

exig-

ence, and explain in

what manner

it is

carried on.

Malphigi,
the

Swammerdam, Reaumur, and Lyonet, have

caterpillar

difcovered in

two

air-veffels

placed the whole length of the

;

infect,

thefe they have called the tracheae

infinite

they have alfo (hewn that an

thefe,

number of ramifications proceed from

body
;

and are

dif-

perfed through the whole

that the tracheal veffels

communicaterpillar,

cate with particular openings

on the

fkin of the

termed fpiracula

there are

nine of thefe on each fide of the

air

body.

Thefe

veffels

feem calculated for the reception of

are of a cartilaginous nature, and

they contain no
-cut

fluids,

when

preferve their figure,

and exhibit a well-terminated opening.

of refpiration has
fpecies of infects,

Notwithftanding

this difcovery, the exiftence

not been proved in

thereof
is

many

and the mechanifm

furprizing, that

very obfcure in

all 4

and

it

is

no more
ftate

refpiration does not exift in the

embryo

of infecls, than in

that of other animals, where

their birth
is

we

find that refpiration,

which

after

abfolutely neceflary for their exiftence, to be

by no

means

fo before k.

M.

de

Reaumur thought

that the air entered

by the

fpiracula

into the trachea, but did not

come out by

the fame orifice, and

confequently that the refpiration of infecls was carried on in a

manner

totally

different

from that of other animals,

that the air

was exfpired through a number of fmall

holes, or pores,

w hich
7

are to be found in the Ikin of the caterpillar, after having been

conducted

Microscopical Essays.

241

conducted to them through the extremities of the finer ramificawhereas M. Bonnet, in confequence tions of the tracheal veflels
:

of a great variety of experiments, fuppofed that the infpiration and exfpiration of the air was through the fpiracula, and that
there was no exfpiration of air through the pores of the
fldta.

Thefe experiments were made either by plunging the caterpillars into water, or anointing them with fat and greafy fubffances j

fome
bles

all

over, others only partially.

The number of

fmall bub-

which are obferved to cover the fur face of their bodies, when they are im merged in water, does not arife from the air which they are is included within, and then proceeding from them, but
formed by the
in the
air

which

is

lodged near the furface of their bodies^

fame manner that

it is

about

all

other fubftances.

To

ren-

der the experiments more accurate, and prevent the air from adhering to the {kin, before he plunged the caterpillars in water

he always brulhed them over with an hair pencil after this, very few air bubbles will be found on their bodies when they are im;

merged

in

water.

caterpillar will

remain a confiderable time under water,

life
;

without deftroying the principle of

and they

alfo recover,

in-

general, foon after they are taken out.

To know

whether a few

only of the fpiracula might not be fufficient for the purpofes of

refpiration,

he plunged fome partially in water,

air
!

fo that

only two

or more fpiracula remained in the open

caterpillar did

in thefe cafes the

all

not become torpid

as

it

did

when they were

immerged

in water.

One

caterpillar,

lived eight

upon which M. Bonnet made his experiments, days fufpended in water, with only two of it's anterior

Gg

fpiracula

242

Microscopical Essays,
;

fpiracula in .the air

infect

during this time he obferved, that

little

when

the

moved
it

itfelf,

ftreams of bubbles ilfued from the ante;

rior fpiracula

on the

left fide

from

this

and many other experithe eighteen fpiracula,

ments

appeared to him, that among!!

the

all

two pofterior are of the greateft ufe in the two anterior and Sometimes, when the mouths of thefe have been refpiration.*
flopped with
oil,

the caterpillar has

fell

into convulfions.

If the

pofterior part has

been

oiled, that part will

become

paralytic.

Notwithstanding thefe experiments, and many more which have been made, the fubjefl: is far from being decided, and many ftill

doubt whether there

is

any refpiration in
of their
life.

infects fimilar to

ours,

at leaf! at certain periods

This opinion feems to be further confirmed by the experiments of M. Lyonet. He placed feveral of the large mufk beetle,

probably the cerambyx mofchatus, under a glafs, where he had been burning fulphur, and which he kept burning while they

were there; and though the vapour was fo thick that he could not fee them, and that he kept them therein more than half am hour, they did not feem in the leaft incommoded, t

When we
can
live

confider the great folidity of the cafes, or cones, of

it is

the pupas of different infects,

not eafy to conceive

earth, in /paces
fo

how

they

feveral months under the

confined,,

and almoft impervious

fame

to the air.

If refpiration was abfolutely

if

neceflary to their exiftenee,

and indeed

they did refpire, the

fituation feems to preclude a continuance

of the operation,
the offices of
life.

as the air

would foon be corrupted, and

unfit for

* Philof. Tranf.

vol. xlv.

p. 300.
torn, t, p. 124.

f Letter Theologie des Infe&es,

Ibid,. p< i6*

Microscopical Essays,
life.

As

the trachea are divided and fubdivided to a prodigious

it

degree of minutenefs,
that they

has been conjeclured by fome writers,

may

act as fo
filtrate

many
the
air,

fieves,

which, by feparations proit

perly contrived,

and

fo furniih

to the

body of

different degrees of purity and fubtilty, agreeable to the purpofes

and nature of the various parts. The experiments that have been made with the air-pump are by no means conclu five the injury
;

the infe6l fuftains when the atmofpheric preffure

is

taken from the

air that

body, does not prove that

it

infpired

and exfpired the

we
is

have removed

it

only {hews that an incumbent preffure

it

neceflary to their comfortable exiffence, as

prevents the fluids

from difengaging themfelves

in an aerial form,

and

as it counter-

balances and re-a&s on the principle of life, and by keeping the action thereof in proper tone and order, confines and regulates
its energies.

Though
to

it is

difficult to afcertain

whether fome

infects refpire,

at lead at certain periods of their exiffence, yet there are others

whom
:

the infpiration and exfpiration of air feems abfolutely

there are

neceflary

many aquatic
on the
tail

infefts

who

are obliged to keep

their tails fufpended

furface of the water for this purpofe.

will perceive the in feci to be agitated and uneafy, and to feek for fome opening to expofe this part to the air if it finds none, it foon goes
;

To

prove

this,

keep the

under water, and you

to the bottom and dies.

Some

aquatic beetles

refift

the
it

trial

for

a confiderable time, while their larva can only fupport

minutes.

for a few

There

is

a circumftance which renders

difficult,

all

experiments

on

this fubjel

with infe&s doubtful and

life

namely, the vaft

tenacioufnefs of the

principle in the lower orders of animated

nature, and

it's

diffemination through their whole frame.

Gg

M. Muf-

244

Microscopical Essays.
inclofed the

M. Mufchenbrock

nearly of the fame fize with the

pupa of a -moth moth itfelf.

in a glafs tube,

of the tube was drawn out into a capillary form, The end the other end was covered with a piece of wet bladder, to exclude the air the capillary end was then plunged in water, which rofe
;

placed the capillary part of the tube before a microfcope, on a fmall micrometer, in order to obferve any motion or
to

D.

He

change
tiori

in the fituation

of the water

as

it is

evident the exfpira-

or inspiration of air by the infecl would

make

it rife

or

fall

alternately.

experiment he obferved a fmall degree of motion at diftant intervals, not above two or three times in an hour; in a
In the
firft

fecond experiment on another

motion

fubjecl;, he could obferve no then placed fome pupas under the receiver of an air-pump, in water which he had previoufly purged of it's air

at

all.

He

on exhaufting the

air

from the
tail,

receiver,'

to arife in a part near the

he obferved one bubble and a few near the wings. The

;

pupa did not

but in
figure.
lefs

fwell
it

under the operation

on the contrary, on
recovered
it's

letting in the air,

was found to be diminifhed in a fmall degree,

it

than a quarter of an hour

at

former

Mr. Martinet publifhed

which,
it is

Leyden, in 1753, a

diflerta-

tion, in

faid,

he has clearly proved, by a number of

have not feen the work, Among.;

experiments, that the pupa of the caterpillar and, fome other

infe&s do not refpire
:

Microscopical Essays.
Among
the infects in which the refpiration feems to be
is

245

mod
;

clearly proved,

the larva

a.

queue de

rat

(mufca pendula. Lin.)

affix

thefe live under water in the

mud,

to

which they

themfelves
is

though they live under water, the refpiration of frefh air

to their exigence
;

neceffary
tail,
;

for this purpofe they are furniOied with a to their

which often appears of an exceffive length relative

body the

body
the

is

feldom more than three quarters of an inch in length, while

frequently

tail is

more than four inches

Befides

it is

compofed of two
the materials of

tubes,

which run one

into the other, fomething fimilar to the

this,

tubes of a refracting telefcope.

which the tubes are compofed are capable of a great degree of

extenfion.

When,
little

the

tail is

at

it's

full

length,

it

is

exceeding

fmall, not being larger near the extremity than a horfe-hair

there

is

hairs, to extend
tail

knob at the endj which on the water, fomething

is

furnifhed with fmall

thofe at the

fimilar to

of the mufca chameleon.

In the body of the larva are two large tracheal veffels

air-veflels

thefe
in the

extend from the head to the

tail,

and terminate

refpiring tubes,

and receive the

the time of
it's

air

from them.

The

larva quits

the water

when

transformation approaches, and

enters in the earth,

where the
;

(kin hardens,

and forms a
thefe

cafe, in

which the pupa

is

formed

foon after the change,, four tubes, or

:

horns, are feen projecting from the cafe

M.

de

Reaumur

fuppofes to be organs for communicating air to the interior parts

of the
found,

infect
filled

they are connected with

air,

little

bladders which are

with

and by which

it is

conveyed to the fpiracula

infects
<

of the pupa.

The

larva of gnats,

and other fmall aquatic

of the fame kind, are furnifhed with fmall tubes,

that play on.

the furface of the water, and convey the air from thence to the

246
infect.

Microscopical Essays.
Many
other Angularities are to be found

among

the

aquatic larva.

reader will not, I hope, be difpleafed with another account of the mufca pendula, drawn up by a naturalift. who knew how to

The

render every
this fcience.

fubjecl: interefting,

but more particularly thofe of

" Being out, fays he,

on an excurfion with fome

little

friends,

we were

ftruck with the appearance of a

puddle of
;

reddifh water, the furface of which was in continual motion

on

taking up fome of this water,

lefs

we found

number of dirty

fhape-

animals, which had

much

the appearance of a

common magthe grafs,

got, but

much

uglier

they were brown, thick, and fhort, and

furnifhed with

tails.

I ordered

them to be

laid

down on

and difpatched a fervant

for

fome

clear water,

and then began to

explain their nature, origin, and properties.

"I had
infecls

often informed

my companions
in

that

were hatched
are
;

in their perfect

ft ate

none of the winged from the egg, but that

they

all

firft

produced

the form of worms, maggots, or

caterpillars

or, in other

words, covered with

they

live,

move, and

eat,

fkins, under which and have the appearance of very

;

different animals

from
I

their .parents

they were not, therefore,

furprized,

when

informed them that the creatures before us

but were the produce of the bee bee in form,
flze,

were not
fly,

in their ultimate ftafe,

an

infe6t refembling the

common humble
;

and colour, but having only two wings

four,

whereas the bee has

fly.

and a

fting,

which

is

wanting to the

i(

This

fly is infl.ru cted

it's

by the Univerfal Guide and Guardian of

It's

nature, to lay

eggs about the edges of the water.

young,
while

Microscopical Essays.
while in the

247
;

Hate, are to live and feed in water but the her depofit eggs cannot in that element without female parent

worm

peri filing in the attempt.

She

lays

them on dry

land, near the

proper place of refidence of her young, and they are inftruted

by the fame Guide

as they
finally,

to place

them

in fuch a

fi

tuation, that as foon

are hatched they make their way to the water; and when they have acquired their full growth, and the animal within is ready to burft forth into a new lite, and enjoy the regions
air,
it

of the

again quits the water,, that this great event

may be

finifhed at land..

" As the fervant was

ferved, that
is

now

returned with a
is

little all

water, Ijuft ob~

life,

though refpiration

neceflary to
;

animal

yet it

varioully performed in the feveral fpecies

and

that thus, while

man and

the generality of other animals refpired

by

the mouth,

this creature

does

it

by the

tail.

The

infecls

we were examining
near an inch
:

were about half an inch long, and their

proportioned the water in the
glafs to this

tails

meafure in depth, and

on our throwing fome of them into it, their bodies naturally funk with the head downwards, and while they feemed fearching after
food about the bottom, the extremities of their
tails

were feen jull.

above the water, and

in continual motion.

"

My

companions,

who have

long fmce learnt to

make every

obfervation of this kind a fource of adoration to the fupreme

creator, difpofer,

and prefer ver of

all things,

were admiring the

care of his providence in contriving thus amazingly that a poor

mould not be furfocated while it fed. When pint more water to be thrown into the glafs, they all
reptile
firft,

ordered, a

cried out, at

againft

my

deftroying thefe

unhappy animals

but their admiration

248

Microscopical Essays.
much
higher than before,
for they

miration was raifed

that they

when

obferved

would receive no harm,

tail

had a power of lengthleft

ening their

about an inch, but that they were not

in a

without

means of

life

much more
it

increafed depth

of water; on

adding a quart more water,

tail

was foon found that the apparent

tube, containing within
it

of the

infect

was a mere

another

much

fmaller, yet fufficiently large for the paffage of all the air

that was neceflary to this animal, a fine {lender pipe being

diately darted

imme;

up out of

this,

and extended

to

the

new
till

furface

on

raifing the

water two inches higher the pipe was immediately

far as

lengthened again as

was neceflary, and

fo

on

the limits

of the

glafs fuffered us to carry the

experiment no further."

Of the Generation
One of
5

of Insects.

the

greateft. myfleries

in nature

is

generation, or that
Sec.

power by which the various gated by which one fmgle

proportions which are only
eftabliihed them.
this

fpecies

of animals,

are propa-

individual gives birth to thoufands,

like itfelf; all

or even millions of individuals

.to

formed agreeable

known

to that

Adorable

W isdom
any

which has

We {hall never be
power,
till

able to form

adequate conception of
the principles of
different orders
life,

we

are acquainted with

and can

trace their various gradations in

of beings.

Many

ancient philofophers, from a

mifconception and perverfion of the fentiments of the more ancient fages, imagined that infefts

were produced from corrupt and

life,

putrefied fubftances

that organized bodies, animated with

and framed mere chance

in
!

a moft wonderful manner,

owed
;

their origin to

Not

fo

the

mod

ancient fages

they taught that

every degree of life muft proceed from the fountain and fource of
ail

Microscopical Essays.
all life,

2 49

and

that therefore,

when

manifefted,

it

muft be replete
if in it's
it

with

infinite

wonders

but then they alfo fhewed, that

it

defcent through the higher orders of being

was perverted,
filthy

would be manifefted
pensities
;

in loathfome forms,

and with

pro-

and that according to the degree of reception of the

Divine goodnefs and truth, or the perverfion thereof,

new forms
ere

of

life

would be occafionally manifefted.

this

The gloom of night

dawn of day
or
it
is

ftill

wraps

fubject in obfcurity

will the

long gild the horizon of the

it s

fcientific

world ?
this

the time of
infects

breaking forth yet far from us ?

Be

as

may,

be found to conform to that general law of order which runs through the whole of animated nature, namely, that the
will

conjunction of the male and female

is

neceffary for the production

afcertain caufes,

of their

offspring.

Where we cannot

we muft

be content with

facts.

Though

infects

are,

like

larger animals,

diftinguimed into

claries there is a kind of mules, partaking of neither fex, though originating themfelves from the

male and female, yet

in

fome

conjunction of both:

many

other particularities relative to the

here.

lexes can only be touched

upon

In many infects the male and female are with difficulty diftinguimed, and in fome they differ fo widely, that an unfkilful perfon might eafily take the male and female of the fame infea
for different fpecies;
piniaria, ruffula. as

for

inftance, in the
ftill

phalsena humuli,
irt

The

diffimilarity is

greater

thofe infers
as in the

in

which the male has wings and the female none,

coccus Jampyris, phalsena antiqua, &c.

Hh

In

250

Microscopical Essays.
is

In general the male

fmaller than the female.

The

antennas

of the male

are, for the

molt part, larger than thofe of the female.

In fome moths, and other infects which are

furmmed with
fly

fea-

thered antennae, the feathers

of the male

are

large

and

beautiful, while thofe of the female

are fmall,

and fcarce to be

perceived.
is

Some male

beetles are furnifhed with a horn,

which

wanting in the female.

fc

Pleraque infectorum genitalia fua intra

et penes folitarios, fed nonnulla

anum habentabfcondita, penem habent bifidum cancri

:

autem

et aranei

geminos,
in

quemadmodum

nonnulla amphibia, et
fub

quod mirandum

loco alieno,

ut cancer,

bah caudse.
os
;

Araneus mas palpos habet clavatos, qui penes

funt, juxta

utrinque unicum, quae clavae fexum nec fpeciem diflinguunt

et

fcemina vulvas fuas habet in abdomine juxta pectus

fi

heic vero
in-

unquam

vere dixeris

res

plena timoris amor,

fi

enim procus

aufpicato accefferit,
llatim fe retraxerit.

fcemina ipfum devorat, quod etiam

Libellula fcemina genitale
pectore, adeo ut

fit, fi non fuum fub apice

gent caudae,

et

mas fub

cum mas

coll urn

fcemina

forcipe caudae arripit,

ilia

caudam fuam pefctori ejus adplicet, ficque

peculiari ratione connexae volitent."

Infects

are

either
is

oviparous

or viviparous

or,

in

other

words, the fpecies

perpetuated, either

by

their laying of eggs,

is

or bringing forth their

general cafe
infects
;

young

alive.

The former

the

more
Thofe

there are but few inftances of the latter.

which pafs through the

till

different transformations already

defcribed, cannot propagate

they arrive at their imago or peris

feci:

ftate

and we believe there

4

feldom any conjunction of the

fexes

Microscopical Essays.
fexes in other clafles
fkin, the cancri
till

251
laft

they have moulted, or put off their

and monoculi excepted.

or feven fpecies of two-winged

Mr. de Reaumur mentions

flies

fix

that are viviparous, bringing forth

worms, which are

a
it is

afteris

wards

transformed
:

into
it is

flies.

The womb of one of

in
;

thefe

Jingularly curious

formed of a band rolled up

fpiral

form, and about two inches and a half in length

fo that

feven

or eight times longer than the body of the

fly,

and compofed of

worms placed one on

they are

the fide of the other with wonderous art

many

thoufands in number.*

The
pafs

habits of the pucerons are fo very Angular, that I cannot

in filence
;

them over

the

more

fo, as

they are a very curious

objecl: for

the microfcope.
is

They

are called

by

various names,
is

the proper one

aphis

that

which they are moft known by

fretters

puceron, though they are fometimes called vine

plant
is

and

lice.

They belong

to the hemiptera order.

The roftrum
fome have
delicate

inflecled, the antennae

are longer than the thorax,

all
:

four erecl wings, others have none at

belly there are

towards the end of the

two

tubes,

from which is ejecled that moil

juice called honey-dew.

The

aphides are a very numerous genus

Linnaeus has enume-

rated thirty-three different fpecies, whofe trivial

names are taken

is

from the plant which they

inhabit,

though
is

it

probable the

number

is

much

larger, as the

fame plant

often found to fup-

port two or three different forts of aphides.

Hh
* Reaumur

An
torn. 4,

Mem.

des Xnfe&es,

p.

415.

Microscopical Essays.

An

aphis, or puceron, brought

up

in the

moft perfect fblitude

will

from the very moment of it's

birtli,
;

in a

few days

be found in

the midft of a numerous family

repeat the experiment on one ofT

the individuals of this family, and you will find this fecond generation will multiply like
it's

parent,

and

this

you may

purfuer

through

many

generations.,

Mr. Bonnet; had repeated experiments of

the fixth generation, which
all

this kind, as far

j&

uniformly prefented the bferver

in a feries

with

fruitful virgins,

when he was engaged

of new and

tedious experiments, from a fufpicion imparted by

in a-letter to him,

who

thus expreffes himfelf

Mr. Trembley "I have formed!

" the defign of rearing feveraf generations of folitary pucerons, in " order to fee if they would all equally bring forth young. In " cafes fo remote from ufual cireumftances, it is allowed- to try alL "
forts

of means

and

argued with myfelf,

who knows but

he

that

"one

copulation might ferve for feveral' generations ?"

This,

"who knows"
fufficiently
to. the

perfuaded

Mr. Bonnet that

had= not
reared;

purfued his inveftigations.

He

therefore

now

tenth generation his folitary aphides, having the patience

to keep

an

exact account of the days and; hours of the birth of

each generation.

He

then difcovered both males and females,

in the leaft equivocal;; the

among them,
in

wfiofe

amour* were not

males are produced only in the tenth generation, and are but few,

number

that thefe fo on arriving at their full growth, copulate

this

with the females, and that the virtue of

ten fucceiftve generations
flrft,
;

copulation ferves for

that all thefe generations, except the

all

from fecundated, eggs are produced viviparous, and

feme males appear to lay the foundation of afrefh

the-

individuals are females, except thofeof the 1 aft generation,

among
feries.

whom

Microscopical Essays,

253

In order to give a further infight into the nature of thefe infers, I (hall infert an extract of a defcription of the different generations

of them by Dr. Richardfon,

TranfaelionS) vol.

as publifhed in

the Philofophical

hm
which occur
in the infe&s

The

great variety of fpecies

now

under confideration,
natures feem not a

may make an
little
is

inquiry into their particular

perplexing,, but

by reducing them under

their proper genus, the difficulty

considerably diminifhed;

We

may

reafonably fuppofe genus> to

diftin6l

comprehended under any partake of one general nature and by diligently

all

the infects,

examining any particular

into- the nature

fpecies,.
reft.

may
With
lize

thence gain fome infight

this

of

all

the
,

view

Dn
the

Richardfon

chofe out of the various forts of aphides thelargeft of thofe found;

on

the rofe tree, not only as

as there are

it's

makes

it

more

con,.

few others of fo long a duration. This fpicuous, but fort appears early in; the fpring, andcontinues late in the autumn.;
while feveral are limited to a
to the different trees

much

fhorter term, in conformity,

their,

and plants from whence they draw,

nourifhment,.

1.

If at the beginning
as

fo

warm

of February the weather happens to be to make the buds of the rofe tree fwelfand appear

green; fmall aphides are frequently to be found

on them, though;
firft

not larger than the

young ones

in

fummer,. when

produced.

It will be found, that thofe aphides wrrieh appear only in fpring,

proceed from fmall black oval eggs, which were depoiited on the though when it happens that the infecVmake laft year's moot
;

too early an appearance, the greater part fuffer from the fharp

weather that ufually fucceeds

by which means, the

rofe trees.

are

254
are

Microscopical Essays.
fome years
is

in a

manner freed from them.

The fame kind of

animal

then at one time of the year viviparous, and at another

viparous.

Thofe aphides which withftand the feverity of the weather feldom come to their full growth before the month of April, at
which time they ufually begin to breed,
their
after twice calling off
all

exuvia, or outward covering.

It

appears that they are

females, which produce each of

that without having intercourfe

them a numerous progeny, and with any male infeft they are
;

viviparous,

and what

is

equally lingular, the

young ones

all

come

into the world backwards.

parent, they are enveloped

come from the by a thin membrane, having in this

they
firft

When

fituation the appearance of an oval egg; thefe egg-like appear-

ances adhere by one extremiry to the mother, while the young

ones contained in them extend the other, by that means gradually

hind

drawing the ruptured membrane over the head and body to the During this operation, and for fome time after, the feet.

fore part of the head adheres,

by means of fomething glutinous, to

in the air,
it
;

the vent of the parent.

frees
itfelf
it's

Being thus fufpended

in

foon

from the membrane

little

which

it

was confined
fet

and

after

limbs are a

ftrengthened,
itfelf.

is

down on fome

tender moots, and

left to

provide for

In the fpring months there appear on the rofe trees but two generations of aphides, including thofe which proceed immediately
fo

from the

laft year's

eggs

the

warmth of the
lefs

fu miner adds

much

to their fertility,

that

no

than five generations

is

fucceed one another in the interval.

One

produced

in

May,
each

which

calls off it's

covering; while the months of June and July

Microscopical Essays.
each fupply two more, which
caff,

255

off their coverings three or four

times, according to the different warmth of the feafon.

This

fre-

quent change of their outward coat

becaufe
it

is

more extraordinary, repeated more often when the infecls come the
is

the

fooneft to their growth,

which fometimes happens plenty of nourifhment conipired. and where warmth

in ten days,

Early in the month of June, fome of the third generation which

were produced about the middle of May,

laft

after carting off their

covering, difcover four

;

erecl;

wings,
all

much

longer than their

bodies

and the fame

is

obfervable in

the fucc eding genera-

tions which are produced during the fummer months, but ftill without any diverfity of fex for fome time before the aphides
;

come
is

to their full growth,

it is

eafy to diftmguifh

which

will

have

wings, by a remarkable fullnefs of the breaft, which in the others

hardly to be diftinguiihed from tie body.

is

When

the laft
in

covering

rejected, the wings,

which were before folded up

very narrow compafs, are gradually extended in a very furprizing

manner,

till

their dimenfions are at laft very confiderable.

The

increafe of thefe infecls in the

fummer time

is

fo

very

by wounding and exhaufting the tender moots they would frequently fupprefs all vegetation, had they not many
great, that

enemies to

reffrain

them.

Notwithfianding thefe

in feels

have a
if thofe

numerous

tribe of enemies, they are not

without friends,

may be
for the
1

confidered as fuch,

who

are officious in their attendance

good

things they expect to reap thereby.

The

ant and

the bee are of this kind, collecting the

honey

in

which the aphides

are conflant

abound,
vifitors,

but with

this

difference,

that

the ants
5

the bee only

when

flowers are fcarce

the ants will fuck

in

;:

Mi c r o s c op

al

Essays.

m
.the

the honey while the aphides are in the aft of difcharging bees only colleft it from the leaves on which it has fallen.

In the autumn three more generations of aphides are produced, two of which generally make their appearance in the month of Auguft, and the third before the middle of September. The two
firft

differ in

no

refpecl

but the third

differs

from thofe which are found in fummer greatly from all the reft. Though all the
this tenth

aphides which have hitherto appeared were females, in .generation feveral male infe&s are found, but not

by

any

means

fo

numerous

as the females.

The

females have at

firft

the fame appearance with thofe of

the former generations, but in a few days their colour changes from a green to a yellow, which is gradually converted into an

orange before they come to their

ki another refpecl:

full growth they differ alfo from thofe which occur in fummer, for all
;

thefe yellow females are without wings.

The male

infe&s are
readily

however,

more remarkable, their outward appearance diftinguifhing them from this and all other generations.
ffill

When

but of a reddifh brown, and have afterwards a dark line along the back they come to their full growth in about three weeks, and then caft
off their
laft

firft

produced, they are not of a green colour

like the reft,

covering, the whole infect being after this of a bright

;

yellow colour, the wings only excepted

but after

this

change to
if

a deeper yellow, and in a very few hours to a dark brown,

we

except the body, which

reddifh caft.

The

fomething lighter coloured, and has a males no fooner come to maturity than they
is

copulate with the females,

who

in a

day or two

after their inter-

courfe with the males lay their eggs, generally near the buds.

Where

Microscopical Essays,
Where
there are a

257

number crowded

together, they of courfe interwill frequently depofit

fere with each other, in

their eggs

which cafe they

on other

parts of the branches.

It

is

highly probable that the aphides derive considerable ad;

vantages by living in fociety

the reiterated punttures of a great

quantity o f nutritious

number of them may

up
their

attract a larger

juices to that part of the tree, or plant,

where they have taken

abode.

In the natural hiftory of infects,

new

objects

of furprize are
as

continually rifmg before the obferver:

fingular

we have
has

already {hewn
will

is

the production of the puceron, that of the bee

iefs fo
;

not be found to be

and though

this little republic

and admiration, though they have attracted the attention of the mofi ingenious and laborious
at all times gained uniVerfaf efteem

inquirers into- nature, yet the

mode of propagating
>

their fpecies

feems to have baffled the ingenuity of ages, and rendered their

attempts to difcover
attention of
it

abortive

even the labours and fcrupulous

unfuccefsful;

Swammerdam were
his treatife

though, while he

was writing

on

bees, his daily labour began at fix in

till:

the morning, and from that hour

twelve he continued watch-

ing their operations, his head in a manner diffolving into fweat,

under the
it

irrefiftible

ardour of the fun

and

if

he defifted at noon 5
as well

was only becaufe

his eyes then

became too weak,

objects.

from

the extraordinary afflux of light and the ufe of glalfes, to continue longer exercifed

by fuch minute

He

fpent one
their

month

entirely in examining, defcribing,

;

and reprefenting
:

interlines

and many months on other parts

employing whole
them,

days in making obfervations, and whole nights in regillering.

I i

org
them,
till

Microscopical Essays.
at laft

he brought

his treatife

of bees to the wifhed-for

perfection, a

work which

all

the ages, from the

times, have

commencement

of natural hiltory to our

equal, nothing to

own

produced nothing to

compare with it.* " Read it, fays the great Boerhaave, confider it, and then judge for yourfelf." Reaumur, however, thought he had in fome meafure removed the veil, and
explained their manner of generating
:

he fuppofes the queen bee

to be the only female in the hive, and the mother of the next generation that the drones are the males, by which fhe is fecun;

dated

and

that the

the flowers, that

knead

working bees, or thofe that collect wax on it, and form from it the combs and cells,

which they afterwards fill with honey, are of neither fex. The queen bee is known by it's fize, being generally much larger than
the working bee or the drone.

f*

High on her throne, the bright imperial queen Gives the prime movement to the ftate machine
She
in the fubjeci fees the duteous child
as the regent
fits

She the true parent,

mild

With
* *

princely grace inverted

elate,
ftate.

Informs their conduct, and directs the

*
*

* *

*
*

* *

*
*

The Or fpread

cluttering populace obfequious wait,

the different orders of the ftate

Here greet the labourer on the toilfome way,

And

to the load their friendly {boulders lay

Or frequent at the bufy And fill with amber fweets

gate arrive,
their fragrant hive
;

Or
* Boerhaave's Life of Swammerdam.

Microscopical Essays,
Or feek repairs
the
to clofe the fra&ur'd cell

259

waxen womb where embryos dwell. Or ftiut The caterers prompt a frugal portion deal,

And give And And

to diligence a hafty

meal
proceed,

In each appointed province

all

neateft order weds the fwifteft fpeed

flies

Difpatch

various

on ten thoufand wings,

joy throughout the gladfome region rings."

Mr. Schirach, a German

naturalift, affirms that all the

common

bees are females in difguife, in which the organs that diftinguilh

the fex, and particularly the ovaria, are obliterated/ or at leaft

from

extreme minutenefs have efcaped the obferver's eye ; that every one of thofe bees, in the earlier period of it's exiftence, is capable of becoming a queen bee, if the whole community
their

mould think

it

proper to nurfe
:

it

in a particular

manner, and

raife it to that

rank

in fhort, that the

queen bee lays only two

kinds of eggs, thofe that are to produce the drones, and thofe

from which the working bees

are to proceed.

Mr. Schirach made

his

experiments not only in the early fpring

months, but even as late as November.

He

cut off from an old

hive a piece of the brood comb, taking care that it contained worms which had been hatched about three days. He fixed this in an empty hive, together with a piece of honey-comb, for food
to his bees,

and then introduced a number of common bees into As foon as thefe found them Pelves deprived of their the hive. queen and their liberty, a dreadful uproar took place, which
laded for the fpace of twenty- four hours.
tumult, they betook themfelves to work,
I
i

On
firff

the ceffation of this

proceeding to the
conftruc-

260

Microscopical Essays.
cell,

and then taking the proper methods and hatching the brood inclofed with them fometimes even on the fecond day the foundation of one or more
for feeding
;

conftru6tion of a royal

royal cells were to be perceived

certain indications
that

the view of which furnifhed

they had elected one of the inclofed

worms

to the fovereignty.

The

bees

may now

be

left at liberty.

is, that the colony of working bees being thus fhut up with a morfel of brood comb, not only hatch, but at the end of eighteen or twenty days pro-

The

final refult

of

thefe experiments

duce from thence one or two queens, which have to

ance proceeded from worms of the
to have been converted

all

appear-

common

fort,

which appears

by them

into a queen, merely becaufe

they wanted one. *

From experiments of the fame

kind, varied and often repeated,

Mr. Shirach concludes that all the common working bees were originally of the female fex but that if they are not fed, lodged, and brought up in a particular manner while they are in a
;

larva ftate, their organs are not developed

and that

it is

to this

circumftance attending the bringing up of the queen, that the

extenfion of the female organs
is

effected,

and the difference in

her form and

fize

produced.

Mr. Deb raw has carried the

the fize

fubjecT:

further,

by difcovering
this lafi cir-

the impregnation of the eggs by the males, and the difference of

among

the drones or males

to

though indeed
IT.

cum fiance was not unknown

Mr. Debraw watched the

Me

Maraldi and Reaumur.

glafs hives

with indefatigable attention,

from
* Shirach Hiftoire Natwelle des
Abeilles.

Microscopical Essays.
from the moment the
bees,

261
care there
;

among which he took

into

mould be a

large

number of drones, were put

them

to the

time of the queen's laying her eggs, which generally happens the fourth or fifth day, he obferved, that on the firh: or fecond day
the

(always before the third) from the time the eggs are placed in cells, a great number of bees fattening themfelves to one

another hung

down
;

in the

form of a

curtain,

from the top

to the

bottom of the hive

they had done the fame at the time the queen

depofited her eggs, an operation which feems contrived on pur-

pofe to conceal what

parts of this veil he

is

tranfa&ing
fee

however, through fome

was enabled to

fome of the bees

cell,

inferting

the pofterior part of their bodies each into a

into,

and finking
they had
the angle of

but continuing there only a

it

little

while.

When
left in

retired,

was eafy to difcover a whitifh liquor

cell,

the bafis of each

this liquor

which contained an egg.

into the

In a day or two

was abforbed
its

day affumes
bring a
little
it's

worm

embryo, which on the fourth or larva jftate, to which the working bees
firft

honey
birth.

for nourishment, during the

eight or ten
it's

days after
full

When the bees find the worm

it
ftill,

has attained

growth, they leave off bringing

;

food, they

know it has no

more need of it
it,

they have
fail,

in

which they never

is

it is

however, another fervice to pay that of (hutting it up in it's cell,

:

where the larva

inclofed for eight or ten days

;

here a further

change takes place

bee inclofes

the larva, which was heretofore idle,

it's

now
lar;

begins to work, and lines

it

cell

with fine

filk

while the working

exteriorly with'a
it's

wax

covering.

The concealed

va then voids
at the

excrement, quits

it's fkiii,

and affumes the pupa

end of fome days the young bee acquires

fufficient ffrength

to quit the (lender covering of the pupa, tear the

its cell,

wax covering of

and proceeds a perfect

in feci.

To

262

Microscopical Essays.
prove further that the eggs are fecundated by the males, and
is

To

that their prefence

neceffary at the time of breeding, Mr.

De-

braw made the following experiments.

in a hive the

They

confift in leaving

queen, with only the

common

or working bees,

without any drones, to fee whether the eggs (he laid would be
prolific.

To

this end,

he took a fwarm, and (hook

all

the bees

into a tub of water, leaving

lefs
;

them

there

till

they were quite fenfe-

by which means he could

:

diftinguilh the drones, without

any danger of being flung

ing bees to their former
j

he then reftored the queen and work-

by fpreading them on a brown paper in the fun after this he replaced them in a glafs hive, where they foon began to work as ufual. The queen laid eggs,
ftate,

which, to

his great furprize,

all

were impregnated

for

he imagined

he had feparated
watching them
;

the drones, or males, and therefore omitted

end of twenty days he found feveral of his eggs had, in the ufual courfe of changes, produced bees, while fome had withered away, and others were covered with honey.
at the

Hence he

inferred, that

fome of the males had efcaped

his notice,

and impregnated part of the eggs. To convince himfelf of this, he took away all the brood comb that was in the hive, in order to
oblige the bees to provide a
frefli

quantity, being determined to

watch narrowly
the
cells.

their motions

after

new eggs mould be

laid in

cells,

he

the fecond day after the eggs were placed in the perceived the fame operation that was mentioned before,

On

namely, that of the bees hanging down in the form of a curtain, cells. while others thruft the pofterior part of the body into the

He

then introduced his hand into the hive, broke off a piece of he found in the comb, in which there were two of thefe infe&s the drones); neither of them any lling (a circumftance peculiar to upon dilfe&ion, with the affiftance of a microfcope, he difcovered
;

Microscopical Essays.

263

the four cylindrical bodies which contain the glutinous liquor, of

a whitifh colour, as obferved by Maraldi in tb large drones. He was therefore now under a neceffity of repeating his experiments,
in deftroying the males,

and even thofe which might be fufpe&ed

to be fuch.

He

once more immerfed the fame bees in water, and when

ftate,

they appeared in a fenfelefs

he gently preffed every one,

in

order to diflinguifh thofe armed with flings from thofe which had none, and which of courfe he fuppofed to be males of thefe laft
:

he found fifty-feven, and replaced the

fwarm

in a glafs hive,

where they immediately applied again to the work of making

cells,

and on the fourth or

fifth

day, very early in the morning,

in thofe

he had the pleafure to

cells
:

fee the

queen bee depofit her eggs

he continued watching raoft part of the enfuing days, but

could difcover nothing of what he had feen before.

The
the

eggs, after the fourth day, inftead of changing in the

caterpillars,

manner of
firft

were found

in the

fame

ftate

they were

day, except that fome were covered with honey. lingular event happened the next day, about noon all the bees left their own hive, and were feen attempting to get into a neigh;

bouring hive, on the flool of which the queen was found dead, being no doubt (lain in the engagement. This event feems to

have

arifen

from the great

defire

of perpetuating their fpecies,

and to which end the concurrence of the males feems fo abfolutely neceffary
;

it

made them

defert their habitation,

where no

males were

left, in order to fix a refidence in a

new

one, in which

there was a ciood flock of them.

To

264

Microscopical Essays.
be further
Satisfied,

To

which had not been impregnated, and divided

one he placed under a
the bees confined in
glafs

Mr. Debraw took the brood comb ? it into two parts; bell, No. 1, with honey-comb for the

bees food, taking care to leave a queen, but no drones,

it
:

among

the other piece of brood-comb he placed

under another

glafs bell,

No.

2,

with a few drones, a queen, and a

bees.

proportionable number of
in the glafs, in the

common

The

refult was, that

No.
ftate

1,

there was no impregnation, the eggs remained

fame

they were in

when put

into the glafs

and on
all

giving the bees their liberty on the feventh day, they

flew

away, as was found to be the cafe in the former experiment

whereas in the
put into
it,

glafs,

No.

2,

the very day after the bees had been

the eggs were impregnated

by the drones, and the

bees did not leave their hives on receiving their liberty.

The
all

editor of the Cyclopedia fays, that the fmalf drones

are

dead before the end of May, when the larger fpecies appear^
their ufe
;

and fuperfede

and that

it is

not without reafon, that a

modern author fuggefls that a fmall number of drones are referved,

to fupply the neceffities

of the enfuing year

than the

but that they are

very

little,

if any,, larger

common

bee.

It

does not enter into our plan to notice further in

little fociety.

this

place

the wonders of this

bee-hive

is

certainly

one of

the fineft objects' that can offer

It is

itfelf

to the eyes of the beholder.

not eafy to be weary of contemplating thofe workfhops,

where thoufands of labourers are constantly employed in different works. While one party rs employed in eollecling the matter of
the wax, and filling their magazines with
it,

others

work

this

wax and build with

3

it

their cells

this

is

again poliftied

and

perfe&ed

Microscopical Essays.
perfected

265

by

others

fome wander abroad to extraft the honey

in cells, as well

from

the flower,

which they afterwards depofit

cells that

for the neceffities of the day as thofe of the inclement feafon

fome cover with wax the

contain the honey, which

:

is

to be preferved. for the enfuing winter

others

feed

the young,

&c. with various other employments, too numerous to be inferted

here.

The
fpecies

eggs of infects are contained and arranged in the body of

the infect, in veffels which vary in

;

number and
;

figure in different

the fame variety

is

found in the eggs

fome are round,

;

others
i

oval,

fome

cylindrical,

and others nearly fquare

the

he

lis

of fome are bard and fmooth, while others are

It is

foft

and
fize

flexible.

a general rule, that eggs do not increafe in

;

after they are laid

among

infecls

we

find,

however, an excepLinn.)

tion to this

the eggs of the

mouches a
but their

fcie (tenth redo,

increafe after

they are

laid,

fhell

is

foft

and mem-

branaceous.

fome may be found of almofl every fhade, of yellow, green, brown, and even black. The eggs of the lion puceron * (hemerobius, Linn.) are a very fmgular objecf and cannot have efcaped the eye of any perfon

The

eggs of infe&s differ in their colours

who

is

converfant

among the
fe.cn

infecls

which

live

on

trees

though

of the

many who have

It is

them, few,
to fee

if any,

have found what

they really were.

common

on the leaves and pedicles

flender filaments,

of the leaves of the plumb-tree, and feveral oilier trees, as alio

on

their

young branches, a number of long and

;

running out to about an inch in length

ten or twelve of thefe

are

Kk
* Reaumur Hift. de Infe&es,
vol. xi.

p. 14a.

265

Microscopical Essays.
and a
vaft

are ufually feen placed near one another,

thefe clutters are found

number of

on the fame

tree

the end of each of thefe

filaments

is

terminated by a fort of fwelling, or tubercle, of the

fhape of an egg.
vegetable origin,

They have
and

generally been fuppofed to be of

that they

were a
a time

fort

of parafitical plant,
thefe egg-like balls,

growing out of others. There which terminate every one of

have been figured as fuch
the eggs out of which the

is

when

thefe filaments, are

found open at

the ends; in this flate they very

much

referable flowers,

and

by fome

authors, though they are only

young animals had been hatched and

examined by a microfcope,
or they

made
a

their efcape.

If thefe eggs are

;

worm may be

difcovered in them

may be

put in a box,

in which, in a proper time, they will produce an

infect,

which,

when viewed with

puceron,.

a microfcope, will be found to be the true lion

Divine Providence

inftrucls. the infecls,

by a lower

fpecies

of

perception, to depofit their eggs in fituations where their

young

ones will find the nourifhment that

is

mod

convenient for them.

Some
gall
;

depofit their eggs in the

oak

leaf,

producing there the red

others chufe the leaf of the poplar, which fwells into a red
fimilar caufe

node or bladder; to a

we

are indebted for the

red

knob which

is

often feen

on the

willow-leaf,

and the three point-

ed protuberances upon the termination of the juniper branches. The leaves of the veronica and ceraftium are drawn into a globular

head by the eggs of an

it's

infed:

lodged therein,

The

phalaena

neuftria glues

eggs with great fymmetry and propriety round;

Fig. i,

the final ler branches of trees.

Plate X. reprefents a

magnified view of the neft of the eggs taken off the tree after the caterpillar had eat it's way through them ; the ftrong ground-work;

Microscopical Essays,
of gum, by which they are connected and bound together,
vifible in
is

267
very

many
up

places

they ftrengthen this connection further,

by

filling

all

the

intervening fpace between the eggs with a

very tenacious fubftance.

to thofe of the hen.
the eggs,
fection

The eggs
oval

are cruftaceous, and fimilar

is

Fig. 3, Plate

X.

a vertical
is

fection

of

mewing

their

ftiape.

Fig. 5
It is

an horizontal

through the middle of the egg.

not eafy to defcribe

the beauty of thefe objects,

when viewed

in the lucernal micro-

fcope

the regularity with

their texture,

which they are placed, the delicacy of the beautiful and ever-varying colours which they

prefent to the eye, give the fpectator a high degree of rational

delight,

Some
after

depofit their eggs in

the back of other infects

thefe,

having pa fled through their various transformations, become

is

what
a
fly

termed an ichneumon

fly.

In the Lapland Alps there

is

covered with a
Linn.

downy
It

hair, called the

all

rhen-deer gad-fly,

oeftrus tarandi,

hovers

day over thefe animals,

whofe
flee to

legs tremble

under them

they prick up their ears, and

the mountains covered with ice and fnow, to efcape from

little

hovering

fly,

but generally in vain, for the infect but too

it's egg in the back of the egg perforates the fldn, and
;

foon finds an opportunity to lodge

deer
;

the

worm
it

hatched from

this

remains under
it

during the whole winter

in the following year to

becomes a

fly.

The

oeftrus bovis
;

is

an equal terror

oxen

the hippobofca equina to horfes

oeftrus ovis * to the (beep,

&c
The

Kk
# Oeftrus ovis in nafo
five firm frontis

animal ium rumenantiurrK

s68

Microscopical Essays.

gnat, the ephemera, the phryganea, the libellula, hover over the water all day to drop their eggs, which are hatched in

The

the water, and continue there

all

the time they are in the larva

little veffel
;

form.
afloat

The mafs formed by

by the
infect
;

the gnat refembles a

is

fet

each egg

in the

form of a keel
lays but

thefe are
at

curioufly connected together.

The gnat
in a

one egg

time,

which {he
;

lays

upon the water

very ingenious and fim-

ple

manner

{he ftretches her legs

out,

and
firfl;

crofles

them, thus

forming an angle to receive and hold the

is
is

egg

a fecond egg
till

foon placed next the

firft

then a third, and fo on,

thebafe
is

capable of fupporting

itfelf.

The fpawn of this

fome

infect

fome-

times above an inch long, and one-eighth of an inch in diameter,

and

tied

by a

little

ftem, or ftalk, to

flick or ftone.

Some;

times they are laid in a fingle, fometimes in a double fpiral line

fometimes tranfverfely.

Many moths

cover their offspring with

a thick bed of hair, which they gather from their

own body

while others cover them with a glutinous compofition, which,

when
gall

hard, protects
it

them from moiflure.

rain,

and cold.

The

to open the nerves of the leaves, to depofit thus their eggs in a place which
flies,

has been already obferved,

know how

afterwards ferves

them

for a lodging,

and a magazine of food.

for their little

The

folitary bees

and wafps prepare an habitation

ones in the earth/ placing there a proper quantity of food for them, when they proceed from the egg. The voracious and
cruel fpider
is

attentive
it's

and careful of
in a little

it's

eggs

the wolf fpider

;

carries bag formed of it's filk it cannot be feparated from them but by violence, and exhibits the mofl marked figns of uneafinefs when deprived of them a cir:

them on

back

cumftance the more remarkable,

other,

as

they love to deftroy each

and even carry on

their courtfhips with a diffidence

and

caution

Microscopical Essays.
caution

269

unknown
known,

in

any other fpecies of animals.

their care

The

hiftory
-

of bees and wafps, and

is

and attention to
it

their offspring

fo well

that I

may

with propriety pafs

over here, and

affeclion

proceed juft to notice the induftrious ant,

whofe paternal

and care

is

not fo well known.

They

are not fatisfied with pla-

cing their eggs in fituations

them

till

they

come

to

made on purpofe, and to raife or rear but they even their nymph or pupa ftate
;

from their neft to extend their care to the pupa, removing them is fine, that they weather the whenever earth, the furface of the

may

receive the benignant influence of the fun, carrying

as

them

back again

foon

as the air begins to

neft,

grow

cold.

If

any acci-

dent difturbs their

the greateft figns of

and

difperfes the pupas, they manifeft

loft

diftrefs,

feeking the

and

fcattered pupas,

placing them in fome fheltered place while they repair the neft, when they again tranfport them to it. * Many other curious particulars

might be related

relative

to this induftrious infecl, as

their uniting together in fcooping out earth, and tranfporting the materials for the conftruclion of their nefts, and the curious

ftruclure

of the neft
will

itfelf,

which, though
ftrifter

it

appears piled up at

random,
art

be found, on

examination, to be a work of

and

defign, with other circumftances

which are too long to be

enumerated here.

The

perception by which infecls are actuated, fo as to feeure

in the molt wonderful

attentive confideration,

manner

their offspring/ merits the

moft

and ftrongly marks the regular proceed:

ings of Divine Providence

they do not depofit them at random,

but place them in fituations agreeable to their nature, and in places where they will meet with fuch fup plies of nouriftiment, as
*

will

* Leffers Theologie des Infe&es, torn,

i,

p. 143-

27
will

Microscopical Essays.
contribute to their perfection, and be
appetites

acceptable
is

to

the

feveral

of their young

ones.

This

beautifully

illuflrated
fal

by Mr. Brooke,

in his philofophical
this fubjeft,

poem on
fays,

Univer-

Beauty, where, (peaking on

he

Each

as reflecting

on

their primal flate,

Or fraught

with

fcientific craft innate,

With confcious {kill their oval embryo fhed, Where native firft their infancy was fed: Or on. fome vegetating foliage glued Or o'er the flood they fpread their future brood
;

A flender cord the floating jelly binds,

Eludes the wave, and mocks the warring winds.

Oer And

this their

fperm in

fpiral

order

lies,

pearls in living ranges greet

our

eyes.

In firmer! oak they fcoop a fpacious tomb,

And

lay their
flowers,

Some

embryo in the fpurious womb fome fruit, fome gums, or bloffoms

:

chufe,

And
And
*
All

confident their darling hopes infufe

their eggs in ranker carnage lay,

While fome

********
to their

young adapt the *

*

future prey.

by

their dam's prophetic care receive

:

Whate'er peculiar indigence can crave

Profufe at hand the plenteous tables fpread,

And

various appetites" are aptly fed.

No lefs

each organ

fuits

each place of birth,

Finn'd in the flood, or reptile o'er the earth.

Each

Microscopical Essays.
Each organ apt to each precarious As for eternity, defign'd complete.
ftate,

27.1

Of all
ous,

the productions of nature, infe&s are the

their fecundity
is

mod

numertheir

and multiply moll;

;

prodigious,

multiplication aftonifhing

the vegetables which cover the furface

multitudes, every plant f the earth bear no proportion, to their, of creatures perceptible fupporting a number often of fcarce
;

multiplication, our fruit trees, the fatal eflfe&s of their prodigious On the continent &c. are too often a deplorable teftimony. whole provinces often languilh in confequence of the dreadful

havock made by the minute, but innumerable,

holts

of

infeels.

The

following

is

anexperiment ofM. Lyoneton the generation

:

of a moth whichcomes from the chenille a brolfe out of a brood of Q^o^eggs, that he had from a.fingle moth of this kind, he took
So, from which he got, when, they
Sate, 15 females; from

were arrived

at their perfect

whence he deduces

the following con-

fequence:

if

80

eggs, give 15 females, the whole

;

brood of 350

would have produced 65 thefe 65, in fuppofmg them as fertile produced 22,750 caterpillars, among as their mother, would have which. there would have been at leaft 4265 females, who would
have produced for the third, generation. 1,492,750 caterpillars. This number would have been, much larger if the number of females among, thofe which were fele&ed by M. Lyonet had been
greater.

M- de
and

Geer. counted in. the belly of a

if

modi 480

eggs,

reducing thefe to 400,

females,

fuppofmg. one-fourth only of thefe to be

as fruitful as their

mother, they will give birth to

;

and for the 40,000 caterpillars for the fecond generation fuppofmg all things equal, four millions of caterpillars. It

third,
is.

nor

Reprizing,

272

Microscopical Essays.
numerous
in years

furprizing, therefore, that they are found fo

which are favorable

all

to their propagation.

But the Creator of

Sec. deftroy

things has for our fakes limited this abundant multiplication,

hofts

by raifmg up

of enemies, who, befides ficknefs,

the fuperfluous quantity.

The
bee,

following

is

a calculation of the fecundity of the queen

fhe laid
that the
in the two fwarm which
all

by M. de Reaumur: he found that months of March and April 12,000 eggs, fo

the hive in

left

May
;

confifted of near 12,000 bees,

all
fall

produced
of thofe

from one mother

but thefe calculations

fhort

which were made by Leeuwenhoek on a fly, whofe larva feeds on flefh, putrid carcafes, Sec. which multiply prodigioufly, and
that in a fhort fpace of time.

One of
firft

thefe laid

144 eggs, from

fhall

which he got

as

many

flies

in the

month

fo that fuppofing

one-half of thefe to be females, in the third

month we
fly.

have

746,456,

all

produced

in three

months from one

Insects.

Of the Food of
Infects feed

upon

all

kinds of vegetable and animal fub fiances

there

is

fcarce ,any production of thefe

two kingdoms which does

not ferve for food to fome kind of infect.

They may,

therefore,

be confidered under two heads, thofe which live on vegetables, and thofe which are fupported by animal food each infect knows
;

the food which

feek
it,

is

proper to

fuftain
it.

it's life,

it

knows where

to

and how to procure

It

has

been already obferved,

that feveral infects,

when

arrived at a ftate of perfection, feed

after their transformation

upon food

totally different
;

from that

which nourifhed them

in their larva flate

yet thefe are informed

by

Microscopical Essays,
iby the

273

laws of Divine order, to place their eggs on fubjecls proper

for the larva

which are to proceed from them.

which feed on vegetables, fome
&c.

Among

thofe

fink themfelves

in the earth, deftroy the roots of the plants,

injuries to our gardens,

and do considerable
others
is

The food of
it.

dry and

hard

they pierce the wood, reduce

to

powder, and then feed

trees,

on it

fome, as the coffus; deftroy and attack the

is

while the
eat in a

food of others more delicate

different
f iance,

the leaves.
;

The

leaf

is

manner by

different infecls

fome

eat the

whole fubwhich

while others feed only

it's

on the parenchemous
Thefe
infecls

parts,

are contained between

fide the leaf paths

fuperncial membranes, forming within

are not always
:

and

galleries.

content with the

is

leaf,
;

but attack the flower

alfo

even

this

food

too grofs for

many
i

the bee, the butterfly, the moth, as well

feed only on the honey, or finer juices,
flowers.
Fruits, grains,

as feveral fpecies of

flies,

which they
not free

col eel
;

from

and corn,

are

from them

they divide them with us, and often deprive

us of large quantities.

We

are continually finding the larva of

fome

infect in pears, plumbs, peaches,

and other

fruit

there

is,

indeed, no part of a plant

different infecls
;

which does not

ferve as food to

fome have one kind of plant marked out for

and feed on, others have another aiTigned to
;

them

to

inhabit

them, on which, and no other, they will feed each has it's appropriate food, and though the parent animal Cats not at all, or
lives

upon food

entirely different, yet (he

is

guided, as

we have

already obferved, to depofit her eggs on that peculiar fhrub or

plant that will be food for her
cious than the
reft,

young

while fome, more vora-

feed

upon

all

with equal avidity.

The

grylus

migratorius, a few years fmce, poured out of Tartary in fuch

quantities,-

274

Microscopical Essays.
wade
all

quantities, as to lay

great part of Europe, producing atmoft

as

unequalled calamities, fwarming in fuch multitudes

the
air,

to cloud,
cattle

deilroying

the vegetables

in

Sweden the

perifhed with hunger, and the

men were

forced to abandon their

country, and

fly

to the neighbouring regions.*

The

far greater

part feed only, however, on one fpecies of plant, or at

thofe

mod

on

which are

fimilar to
plant.

it

and the fame fpecies may always be

found on the fame

Mr. de Reaumur
feeds

fays, that

the caterpillar,

w hich
T

infefts

and

upon
it's

the cabbage, deftroys in twenty-four hours

If larger animals

more than

twice

weight.

required

a proportionable
it's

quantity, the earth

would not be able

to nourilh

inhabitants.

A great
food
;

number of

infecls rejeft vegetable, and- live

on animal

fome feeking

that

which
is

is

beginning to putrefy, while

;

others delight in that which,

entirely putrid

others again are

.;:

nourifhed by the moft filthy puddles, and difgufting excrements

fome attack and feed on man

himfelf, while others are

his

nourimed

by

his

viftuals, his

cloaths,

furniture

infefts

of another fpecies, othersatt ack their

fome prey upoa own, and harrafs,

each other with perpetual carnage..

it.

Every animal has its appropriate lice, which feed' on and'infeO: M. Rhedi has given an accurate account of a great number
little

of thefe
as if
live
it

noxious creatures, accompanied with

fufficient that

figures-;

but,
1

were not

thefe creatures

mould dwell and

animal

on the external part of the body, and fuck the blood of the

* Sele& Differtations from the Amoenit^tes Academics^ vol,

i, p. 3.98,

Microscopical Essays.
animal that they
their food in the
infer!:,

275

we

find another fpecies

of infects feeking
flefh

more

vital parts,

and feeding on the

of the

animal, while

full

of life and health.

bovis)

an h if lory of a
feeds

fly (oeftrus

M. de Reaumur has given which lives upon the backs, and

it

on the

flefh

of young oxen and cows, where

fly

produces a

kind of tumor.

The

lodges
in

it's

eggs in the
it

flefh,

by making a

number of little wounds,

every

each of which

depofits eggs, fo that

wound becomes
it is

a nefl, the eggs of which are hatched by

the heat of the animal. the fame time that

Here the larva

they are

finds

abundant food at

protected from the changes of the weatill

ther

and here they

flay

fit

for transformation.

The

parts they inhabit are often eafy to

be discovered by a kind of
;

lump, or tumor, which they form by their ravages

fuppurates, and
is

this

tumor

filled

with matter

on

this difgu fling fubfiance

it.

the larva feeds, and his

head

is

always found plunged in

is

When
upon

the time of their metamorphofis

ready, the larva falls

the ground, and feeks a convenient place for the operations

of the enfuing change.

There

is

a fpecies (oeftrus hemorrhoidal is) which depofit their

it

eggs in the rectum of horfes,

being in the interlines of thefe

only that they can be nourifhed.

M.

Vallifinieri has

given an

account of the introduction, of thefe eggs into the horfe, as obferved

by a
roll

friend of his

feeding quietly in a

who was looking- at fome that were meadow on a fudden they began to leap and
:

jump,
tails,

themfelves on the ground, then run, beat about their

;

and were otherwife violently agitated

perfuacled that thefe

fly that

extraordinary motions were produced by a

was buzzing

about them, he obferved them narrowly.

to fueceed in
it's

The

fly

not being able

attacks

on

thefe, quitted

them, and flew towards

a mare.

Microscopical Essays.
a mare,
before,

who was
and here

feparated from the

it

reft,
;

making
it

lefs

noife

than
tail,

was more

fuccefsful

pa fled under the

and by earning an itching near the anus, forced the mare to pufh out the edge of the interline, to open it, and then to enlarge the

and depofited it's, eggs in the fold of the inteftine in a little time the mare became almoft furious, and was agitated in the moft violent manner for a quarter of an hour, when fhe began to grow more eafy.
opening
;

the

fly profited

by

this
;

opportunity,

Nearly

allied to the

preceding are the following curious obfer-

vations of an ingenious naturalift on the

ichneumon
caterpillars

fly.

"

As

was obferving,

fays he,

one day fome

a

which were

feeding voluptuoufly

on

cabbage-leaf,

my

attention

was atwas.

traled towards a part of the plant, about

which a

little fly

buzzing on

its

wing, as

if deliberating

where to

fettle:

was fur-

prized to fee the herd of caterpillars, creatures of twenty times

it's

fize,

endeavouring in an uncouth manner, by various contorit's

tions of the body, to get out of

way, and more

;

fo,

whenever

the

fly

poifed

on the wing
it's

as if

going to drop

at

length the

creature

made
and

choice, and feated itfelf

on

the back of one of

the largefl
reptile

faireff

of the clufter;

it

was

in vain the If the

it's

unhappy
caterpillar

endeavoured
terror

to diflodge the

enemy.
fly,

had fhewn
vals

on the approach of the

intolerable,

anguifh at interit

now feemed

and

foon found that

was

in

con-

fequence of the ftrokes, or wounds, given by the

fly.

At every
frame,,

wound

the poor caterpillar wreathed and twirled

itfelf,

it's

whole

endeavouring to difengage
fometimes aiming
vain,
it's little
it's

by

ftiaking
;

off the

enemy,
all
it

mouth towards the place

it's

but

it

was

in

but cruel tormentor kept

place.

When
flight

had

inflicled thirty or forty

of thefe wounds,

it

took

it's

with a
vifible

Microscopical Essays.
vifible

triumph;

in
I

each of thefe wounds

the

little

fly

had

depofited an egg.

took the caterpillar

home

with me, to obin

it's

ferve the prog re Is of the eggs

which were thus placed

body,

taking care to give

it

it

a frelh fupply of leaves

in a

from time

to time
it

recovered to
received,

all

appearance

few hours from the wounds

had

and from that time,

live

for the fpace of four or five

days,

feemed to
all

comfortably,

feeding voracioufly.

The

eggs were
fed

hatched into fmall oblong voracious worms, which

pillar, in

from the moment of it's appearance on the flefh of the caterwhofe body they were inclofed, and leemingly without
refpiration or digeftion
their

wounding the organs of

had
fides

arrived at their full growth, they eat

of the animal, at the

and when they way out of the fame time deftroying it. The cater;

pillar thus attacked

it's

by

the larva of the

;

ichneumon never

efcapes,.

deftruction
;

is

infallible

but then

it's life is

not taken away at

to fpare
is

once

the larva, while

it is

feeding thereon,
life,

knows how
its

the parts which are eflential to its

becaufe

own
is

at that

time tied up

in that

of the

caterpillar.

No

butterfly

produced

from

it;

the

worms
it's

that feed

on the wretched creature are no

it's

fooner out of

body, than every one fpins

own web, and

introduce

under

this they pafs the ftate

of

reft neceffary to

them

to their

winged form/' *
for us to

Of this
judgment
;

Grange fcene

it

is

difficult

form a proper

we are unacquainted with

it's

the organs of the caterpillar,

ignorant of the nature of

fenfations,

and therefore we cannot

be allured what
"
It is

may be

the effe&s of that which

we

fee

it

fuller.

wifdom

to fuppofe

Creator cannot be cruel."

we From

are ignorant, while

we know

the

levelation

we

learn, that mart

is,

* Infpedor, No, 64.

27S
is

Ml CROSCOPIC AL
mean through which
his
life
is

Essays.

the

conveyed to the creatures of

all

this

lower world; that by finking into error, and foftering evil

he perverts
from him
:

own

life,

and corrupts
world

that

which proceeds

fo that

the effects
arife to the

are the fame on the orders beif

neath him, as would

a continual cloud was

placed between us and the fun, depriving us at once of the falutary effects of
it's

invigorating heat and cheering light.

Laftly.
their

many
and

in feels feed

upon

others

nay,

fome even upon

are very

own

fpecies.
;

The numbers of

thefe

two kinds

numerous

it is

among!! thefe that we

find the traces

of the

greateft art and cunning, as well in attack as in defence.

indeed, ufe

main
is

force alone, others

employ

addrefs

Some, and cunning.

Every body
the curious

acquainted with the dexterous arts of the fpider,

fpins,
it's

web he

regular conftruction, and the central

pofition of the fpider, in order to watch

more

effectually the lead

motion that may be communicated

to

it's

tender net.

The

art

and hiftory of the formica

tion of

leo are alfo well

known, and a descrip-

them would

lead us too great lengths.

Thofe who would

w ifh
T

to purfue this fubjecl; further, will find

much

fatisfaction in

confulting the works of

Reaumur and De

Geer.

Of the Habitation
Infects

ot Insects.

may be

divided, with refpect. to their habitations, into

two

claffes,

aquatic and terreftriaL

Standing waters are generally

therein in different manners.

filled

with

infects,

who

live

There

are, 1.

Aquatic

infects

which
leaf!:

remain always on the

fuperficies

of the water, or which at

plunge

Microscopical Essays.
plunge themfelves therein but
In
rarely.
2.

27,9
live

Others that
it.

only

the

water,

and cannot
with wings,
all their

fubfift

out of

having lived

in the

water while in the larva and.

3. Many, after pupa Hate, come

terreftrial.

out afterwards
4.

and

become

entirely

Some undergo

transformations in the water, and then

become amphibious..

5.

Others again are born and grow

in.

the

water, hut undergo their pupa ftate on. dry land, and after they are arrived at their perfecl: ftate
live

equally in air and water.

&

Laftly,, there are

water, and part

fome who live at the fame time part in the on land, and which after their transformation

eeafe to be aquatic.

Among
water,
agility,

the infe&s

which remain on the

fuperficies

of the

are

fome

fpiders,

which run with great

addrefs
5

and

without moiftening their feet or their body

when they
as poffible.

repofe themfelves, they extend their feet as

much

There are

alfo aquatic bugs,

water with great velocity,

very flowly on the water
;

which fwim, or rather run, on the and by troops; another bug walks

the gyrinus

moves very

fwiftly,

and

in <4

a fpecies of podura * which live in fociety, and fr~ circles. are often accumulated together in, little black lumps. Thofe ill-

There

is

lefts

which always which

live in

the water are generally born with the

figure

-they preferve

during their whole

lives,

as the

mono-

culi, crabs, feveral

kinds of water- mites, &c.

leave

The number of thofe which, after having lived in the water, it when in a winged ftate, is very great among thefe we may reckon the lib^llula,_ the ephemera^ the phryganea, culices, tjp.ulsBj and fome fpecies of mufcae.. All thefe, when in the larva
:

f-

and De Geer
Difcours fur
les Infecles,

torn. 2,

p. 103.,

Microscopical Essays.
and pupa
ftate, live

in the water

but when they have a {Turned

their perfect form, they are entirely terreftrial,

and would be

drowned

therein.

The notone&a,
the water
till

the nepa or aquatic fcorpion, Sec never quit

all

they have patted through

their transformations,
it

when

they

become amphibious,

generally quitting

in the

evening.

The
the

water-beetles, of
all

which there are many

fpecies,

remain

in

water
fly

day, but towards evening

come upon

the

ground

and

about, but plunge themfelves again in the water at the

fun.

approach of the rifmg

aquatic
;

The

larvae

of thefe infects are entirely

but

when

the time of their pupa ftate arrives, they take

to the earth, where they

make

a fpherical cafe

fo that

thefe in-

fers are aquatic as larva,

the imago
ftate.

terreftrial as

pupa, and amphibious in

We find an inftanee of an infect

the water and the
air,

that lives at the

fame time

in

in the

fmgular larva defcribed by

in 17 14, p. 200.
It
is

M. de

Reaumur, Memoires de 1'Acad.

has the head

continually

and

tail

in the water, while the reft of the

body

kept above the furface.

pofition,
it

In order to fupport

itfelf in this

fmgular
tail,

bends the -body, bringing the head near the

railing the reft

above the water, and fup porting

itfelf

againft
;

feme
or, if

fixed object, as a plant, or againft the borders

it is

of the pond

placed in a glafs

veffel,

againft the fides of the veffel;

and

if

the glafs be inclined gently, fo that the water

it

may

nearly

-cover the larva,

immediately changes
dry.

it's

pofition, in order that

part of the

body may be kept

At

MICROSCOPICAL Essays.
At the baths of Abano, a fmall town
there
is

in

the Venetian (late,

and of a boiling heat.

within three
feet,

a multitude of fprings, flrongly impregnated with fulphur, In the midft of thefe boiling fprino-s,

of four or

five

of them, there

is

a tepid one
pota-

about blood-warm.

In thefe waters, not only the

common

mogeitous and confervas, or pond- weeds and water- mofies, are found growing in an healthy ftate but numbers of fmall black
;

water-beetles are feen

fwimming about, which

die

on being taken

out and plunged fuddenly into cold water.*

Many
on

infe&s that live under the -furface of the earth -crawl out

certain occafions, as the.julus, fcolopendra,

and the onifcus

they are alfo often to be found under ftones, or pieces of rotten

wood. Some

infefts

remain under ground, part of their life,butquit

;

that fituation after their change

as

do fome

caterpillars,

many of

the coleoptrous

clafs,

Sec.

We have already
and
naflinefs.

taken notice that

numbers delight
forms
it's

to dwell in filth

The
it

formica leo
;

habitation in the fand, as well as-many fpiders

one of
of

thefe forms a hole in the fand,

filk,

and then
;

lines

with a -kind

to prevent

it's

crumbling away

it

generally keeps
it

on the
runs

watch near the mouth of the hole, and

at
it,

if

perceives a

fly,

it

with fuch velocity, asfeldom to

carries
it

fail in it's

attempt offeizing

and then

to

it's little

den.

Another

fpider, difeovered

by Mr. 1'Abbe Sauvage,t burrows

feet deep,

in the earth like a rabbit,

making a hole one or two

fufficiently large to

of

regular diameter,

and
it,

move

itfelf

with

eafe.

It lines the

whole of

either to

Mm
*
-Hiftoire

keep the ground from tumblin ain 3

p.
171..

* Jones's Phyfiological Difquifitions,

de l'Acad. 1758, p. 26,

282
in, or in

Microscopical Essays.
order to perceive more regularly at the bottom what
at the

happens
different

mouth,

at

which

it

forms a kind of door, made of

layers

of earth, conne&ed together by threads, and

;

covered with a ftrong web of a clofe texture

the threads are

prolonged on one
ftrong joint
;

fide,

and fixed
is

to the ground, fo as to

form a
fall

the door
gravity.

hung

in fuch a

manner, as always to
nefts,
is

by

it's

own

One of

thefe

cafes, or

in

her

Majefty's cabinet at

Kew.
trees
i.

Infefts are

found no where fo numerous as in

and plants,
;

where they find abundant food.

2.

They

dwell

in the roots

in the

wood;
leaves
It

3. in

the leaves, and in the galls which

;

grow

upon the
and

and branches

4. in

the flowers

5. in the fruits

grains.

would

be too tedious to enumerate th$ various

;

fpecies of thefe inhabitants

many

particular

obfervations have

been already noticed

habit the

it

has alfo been mentioned, that fome in-

mo ft

fcetid

fubftances

they can
;

find,
it

while others

dwell with and live on the larger animals

juft to

fo that

only remains
art is

mention fome of thofe in whom induftry and ftrongly marked to our eyes than in others.

more

Among
fiances to

the folitary bees there are fo

many

curious circumfuffice

be defcribed, that a fingle volume would not

to

contain the particulars

their habitations.

we One of
;

(hall

here only relate fuch as

concern

thefe forms its neft under ground*

cells artfully let into

which

is

compofed of feveral

each other, but

of two

not covered with a

common

inclofure

each

cell confifts

or three membranes,
other.

inexpreffibly fine,

and placed over each

placed,
is

The

cavity, in

which the

neft

is

fmeared over
formed,

with a layer of matter, like that of which the

cells are

Microscopical Essays.
and apparently
fimilar to that vifcous

283
fnails

humour which

fpread

in their paffage from one place to another, and it is probable that* they are formed of the fame materials this fubftance, though of fo delicate a nature, gives them fuch a degree of confiftency,
j

that they

may be handled without

altering their form.

cell,

An

egg

is

depofited at the bottom of each

where, after

it is

hatched,

the

worm

finds itfelf in the midil of a plentiful flock

is

of provifion

for in each cell there

placed a quantity of pafte, or a kind of

wax, which

is

to ferve as food for the

worm, and fupport the

conduct
itfelf,

wall of the cell.

The worm

is

alfo inftrucled fo to

and eat
walls of

this
it's

food, as to leave fufficient props for fupporting the

apartment.

Many

fpecies

of thefe bees content themfelves with penetrating

into the earth, fcooping out hollow cavities therein, polifhing

the walls, then depofiting an egg and a fufficient quantity of

pro virions.
another fpecies, that forms
;

There

is

it's

neft

under ground
a

with remarkable induftry

this

bee generally makes

perpendicylindrical

cular hole in the earth about three inches deep,

till it

and

comes within about three-fourths of an inch of the bottom, when it begins to open it wider as foon as the bee has given it
;

the fuitable proportions, the whol

infide of
it's

it

proceeds to line with tapeftry not only

:

dwelling, but round the entrance

lined
is

the

fubftance with
like fattin.

which
this

it is

From

of a crimfon colour, and looks circumftance Mr. de Reaumur * terms it the

lining,
is

tapeftry bee.

This tapeftry, or

formed of fragments of
the

Mm
* Reaumur Memoires pour PHiftoire

des Infe&es, edit, 8vo. torn. 6, partie

I,

p. 170,

2%

Microscopical Essays.
;

the flowers of the wild poppy, which fhe cuts out curioufly-, and

then feizing them with her

pieces

legs,

conveys them to her

neft.

If the

are rumpled fhe ftraitens them, and then affixes

her walls with wonderous art; fhe

them t@. generally applies two layers

of thefe fragments on each other.

ranfporied
off the
is

If the piece

me

has cut. and

fhe clips,

too large for the place fhe intends

it for,

fuperfluous parts, and

conveys the fhreds out of the

apartment..

After the bee has lined her

cell,

fhe

fills it

nearly half an incfc

deep with a pafte proper to nourifh the larva when hatched

from the egg; when the bee has amaffed a fufficient quantity of pafte, flie then takes her tapeftry, and folds it over the pafte andx
egg.
this

done, fhe

which are by this means inclofed as it were in a bag of pafte fills up with earth the empty fpace that is above

the bag.
leaves,

There

is

and

in the fubftance

another bee which does the fame with rofe of a thick poft. friend of mine

had a piece of wood cut from a .ftrong

of a cart-houfe,
full

poft that fupported the roof

of thefe

cells

or round 'holes, three-eighths of

an inch diameter, and about three-fourths deep, each of which was filled with thefe. rofe-leaf cafes, finely covered in at top and bottom.

The mafon bee is fo

building
cels

called

by Reaumur from the manner of it's

it's neft, Thefe bees collecl with their jaws fmall parof earth and fand, which they glue together with a ftrong

furnifhed from the probofcis ; and of this they form a fimple but commodious habitation, which is generally placed along walls that are expofed to the fouth. Each neft reis

cement, which

fembles a lump
diameter* thrown

of"

rude earth, of about

;

fix

or feven

inches.:

againft the wall

the labour of conftrucling fo

Microscopical Essays^

285.

large an edifice muft be very great, as the bee can only carry a, few grains at a time. The exterior form is rude and irregular,

but the conftru&ion and art exhibited in the interior parts make up for this feeming defect it is generally divided into twelve or
;

fifteen cells,

feparated from each other by a thick wall

is

in

each

of thefe an egg
conftru&ed,
all

at

The cells are not depofited by the parent bee. once, for when one is fimlhedfhe places an egg
honey to nourifh the larva
infefi: is
;

therein, with a fufficient quantity of

me

then builds another.

When
it's

the

arrived at

a*
it's

proper
ftrong

ftate, it

penetrates through
all

inclofures

by means of

jaws.
holes

When
on

the bees have quitted the nefl, there are as

many

the furface thereof as there are cells within.

We find no
know of any

neutral bees

among this fpecies,..

or at lead we do not

being yet difeovered..

fpecies of the folitary

Another
been

bee (apis centuncularis, Linn.)

and has therefore eonftru&s her neft in pieces of rotten wood, * into ftages, difit divides She called the carpenter bee.

curioufly pofing them fometimes in three rows, with partitions the food; with eggs, her depofits {he in thefe left between each
5

young ones when hatched. They wood in a very expeditious manner, by dividing proper fized fibres, or threads, till they have made a
neceffary for the

feparate the
it's

ligneous,

hole..

The

art

and fagacity difplayed by another bee, f whofe

neft

is

conftruaed of fmgle pieces of leaves, is truly wonderful. The neft itfelf is cylindrical, formed of feveral cells, placed one within
the -other as thimbles are in
a. Hardware

mop.

The

cells

confift

* GeofFroy
f,

Hift. abregee des Infeftes, torn. 2, p.

401.

Reaumur Memoires pour

p.i 22, l'Hiftoire des Infeftes, torn. 6, par. i,

286

Microscopical Essays.
leaf,

of forms and proportions proper to coincide with the place each is intended to occupy. The outer cafe, or cover, is formed with equal care and exacl
of feveral pieces cut from one
nefs.

In a word, fays

M.
it

Bonnet, there
(kill,

is

fo

much
if

exact nefs,

fymrnetry, uniformity, and

in this little mafter-piece, that

we mould not know at what

each
cell

believe

to be the

work of a

fly,

we

did not
it.

fchool fhe learnt

the art of con ftru cling

In

the mother depohls an almoft liquid iuSftance, and yet

fo nicely are the cells formed, as not to fuffer any of this fubllance

to be

loft.

But

to fee the detail of the

it's

works of this bee, and the

refer the reader to

curious mechanifm of

cells,

we muft

Mr.

de Reaumur's admirable hiftory of infecls.

Of

the mafon ichneumon

wafp*

(fphex, Linn.).

The

pro-

ceedings of this are

totally different

from thofe of the

It

common
begins

wafp, though equally curious with them.

It's

generally

work

in

May,

and continues at

it

for the greateft part

of

June.

The

true objecl of her labour feems to be the digging of

;

a hole a few inches deep in the ground yet in theconftruclingof this (he forms a hollow tube above ground, the bafe of which is
the opening of the hole,

and which
;

it

raifes as

high above ground

as the hole

is

deep below

it

is

formed with a great deal of care,

fhe excavates her
it

refembling a grofs kind of filagree work, coniifting of the fand

drawn from the

cell
is

The fand out of which nearly as hard as a common ftone this

hole.
;

readily foftens
;

with a penetrating liquor, with which (he

is

well provided

a
it

drop or two of it
falls,

is

imbibed immediately by the fand on which

which

is

inftantly rendered fo foft, that (he

can feparate and

knead
* Ecaumur Mom.. pour
l'Hiftoire des

Infe&es, torn.

xi.

par. %, p. g>

Microscopical Essays.
knead
it

with her teeth and fore

feet,

forming

it

into a fmall ball,

which
of
fuch

Hie places

on the edge of the hole

going to erecl
:

as the foundation-flone
it is

the pillar fhe

balls,

is

the whole of

formed of

ranged circularly,

and then placed one above the

at intervals,
is

other.

She leaves her work

probably in order to
fhe

renew her flock of that liquor which

tions
;

fo neceffary for her opera;

thefe intervals are of fhort duration

foon returns to

her

work,

and labours with

fo

much

activity

and

ardour,

that in a few hours fhe will dig a hole

two or
high.

three inches deep,

and
has
hole,
it is

raife

a hollow
raifed

pillar

two inches
little,

After the column

been
it

a certain heighth perpendicularly from

the
till

begins to curve a

which curvature increafes

form
is

finifhed,

though the

cylindrical
all

maintained

fhe

con

ftru&s feveral of thefe holes

of the fame form, and for the

fame purpofe.
eafy to fee

It is

why

the hole was

;

dug

in the

ground

that

it

was deftined to receive an egg but it is not fo eafy to perceive whv the tube of fand was formed. By attending to the labours of
the wafp, one end, however,
to ferve the purpofe of a

may be

difcovered

it

will

be found

fcaffold,

and that the

balls are as ufeful

to the wafp, as materials, &c. to the

mafon

and She

are, therefore,

placed as

much
fill

within her reach as poffible.

after

ufes

them

to

Hop and

up the hole
is

me

has depofited an egg therein,

leaft

fo that the pillar

then deflroyed, and not the

remains

left

in the neft.

The
:

parent wafp generally leaves ten or twelve

worms young larva

as provifion neceffary and proper for the growth

of the

no purveyor could take

better precautions than

our wafp, for fhe has received her inftructions from

provides for the neceffities of
a
all his creatures.

Him who
.

In felecling the

worms

288

"Microscopical Essays.

worms, (he chufes them of a proper fize, that they may be fiif* ficient in quantity, and of an age that will not be in danger of
.perifhing with -hunger, in

rupted

which cafe they would have been cor(he therefore M&Hs them when they have their full
It
is

growth.
ogives. a

alfo

obferved, that

if

fhe chufes a larger fort

.(lie

lefs

nu ruber of them, and

and fuch

fo reciprocally.

"

By

thefe

like

in fiances,

every rational mind

may

confirm
if
it

itfelf in

favour of a Divine agency

for

human

reafon,

be fo difpofed,

may

collect

and be convinced from the various

is

operations in the vifible world, that there

is

God, and

that
;

he
for

one

'*

a truth that
is

is

proved by innumerable teftimonies

the univerfe

as a theatre,

on which the evidence of the exigthe fole operator

ence of a
thefe
it
:

God and his

it

unity are continually exhibited

may be feen,
for
is

that

God is

and from by and through

;

nature

clear that nature cannot regard ufes as the ends

of her- operations, or difpofe fuch

in the

ufes into their orders and forms. power of none but a wife being, and of confeThis is quence of none but God. whofe wifdom being infinite, can fo order and form the univerfe, as to make it a coherent and uniform

work,

all

promoting and forming a complex of

ufes in orderly

arrangement, for the? fervice of

man,

who

is

to

be a conftituent

of heaven

for the Divine

fides the eternal happinefs of the

Love cannot defign any other end behuman race, by the communi.ufes

cation of

itfelf,

and the Divine Wifdom can produce nothing but

The fyftem one, one Maker Hands confefs'd, The prime, the one, the wond'rous and the blefs'd. The one in various forms of unity exprefs'd.
Brooke's Univerfal Beauty, b.
1

iii.

Microscopical Essays,
^fes for the

ggg

promotion of that end.

under

this

enlarged idea, every wife

is

By contemplating the world man may difcern that the

is

Creator of the univerfe

one,* and that his effence

love and

wifdom

;"'

and that he

effects

whatfoever

is

done

in nature,

by

his

own

operation, through the

medium of

the various celestial

and

fpiritual hierarchies, gradually

defcending from the higheft orders

of this immenfe chain to the lowefL

Between the lowest and higheft degree of corporeal or

perfection, there
is

fpiritual

an almoft

infinite

number of intermediate
all

de-

grees: the result of thefe degrees compofes

the universal
worlds, and

chain.
prehends
that
is

This unites
all

all

beings, connects
is

com-

fpheres.

One sole being

Again,

out of this chain, and.

He

that formed it.f

is

life itfelf,

and consequently
all

the Lord,

the fupreme, only, and infinite ufe;

other exift-

encies in heaven or earth, whether fpiritual or natural, are only ultimate effects, or manifestations from that one infinite caufe,

exhibiting emblems of the one,

eternal, infinite

ufe.

From

a retrospective view of this chapter,

we may

obferve a

itriking difference

between man and the lower orders of animal creation. Man is born totally ignorant fo much fo, that he has no knowledge even of the mother's breaft, till he has been
;

N
* Hence endless

n
order Springs:;

-brought

good

hence endless

Hence

that importance in minute ft things;

And endlefs hence dependence muft endure, Blest in his will, and in his power fecure.
Brooke's Univeifal ^Beauty, b.
t

v'u

Bonnet's Contemplation of Nature.

m
is

Microscopical Essays.
it

brought acquainted with

ideas,

by repeated
is

trials;

he has no innate;

unable to ehufe

what

proper for his food

he cannot

form

his voice to

any

articulate pronunciation, or to exprefs the

beaft, the bird,
is

affections

of love: whereas, the

all

and the

infect,

are born to

that

knowledge which

neceffary for the gratifilife

;

cation of thofe defires, or that love which forms their

and

confequently in the knowledge of every thing relating to their

well being, their food, their habitations, the
fexes, their provifion for their

commerce of the

young, &c.

from the impulfe of

change of

the pleafure arifing from thefe innate defires and affections, the
larva
is

alio

prompted
If
it

to feek

and

afpire after a

it's

earthly Mate.

were not foreign to the fubject in hand,

this

it

might be eafy to fhew, by a variety of reafons, that

fection of

imper-

man

at his nativity constitutes if I

his

real perfection, and,

places
for

him
is

infinitely,

may

fo fpeak,

above the brute creation

man

not created relatively perfect, but formed a recipient

of all perfection.

From this view

influences or acts

of things,

we may, however,

perceive that ani-

mals are born in order, and confequently the Divine agency

on them more immediately,

The fame wifdom.

directs

which has conftructed and arranged

their various organs with fo

much

art,

that they

may concur
:

to

one determinate end,

it
it

the animal towards this end.

the works

Hence
hence
excited to
,

executes with precifion

we

fo

much admire
It
is

feems to act as

if it

was
he

capable of reafoning.

all this

by that adorable
circle, as

mind which we
fee

has traced out to every infect

it's

it's little

has marked out to each planet

proper

orbit.

an infect working a
.
'

nefr, a chryfalis,

When, therefore, &c. we fhould view

~ifc

M
it

CRO

COP ICA L E S S A'Y S;

are beholding a fcene behind

with refpeft, becaufe

is

we

which

the supreme artist

concealed from our eyes.

We may hence,
tion,

alfo,

perceive that the operations of infers are

life,

the ultimate refult of the principles of

upon

their organizaaft:

which correfponds to the part they are to

;

in the grand

machine of the world

they are, indeed, but fmall parts, but

effecl,

then thefe parts concur to produce one general

being interwoven with more important ones
;

by

their

fo that the thread

fpun by a caterpillar has

the ring of Saturn.*

it's

relations to the univerfe as well as

But how immenfe the number of parts, which are interpofed between this thread and the ring of Saturn* and between Saturn and the worlds of Syrius If the uni!

verfe

is

one whole, the thread of the caterpillar

will

alfo

be

How great mud. that mind be which can comprehend this immenfe chain of various relations, and can perceive them all to refolve into unity, unity maniconnected with the worlds of Syrius.
felled in

Jehovah Jesus
of the chain.
diflinciiy
:

It

behoves us to remain in the place

that has

been allotted for

us,

feme

links

fee things

more

from whence we can only difcover One day we {hall difcover more, and mean while we may confider thefe

proceedings of the

infect, race,

which are

fo diverfified

and replete
that

with induftry, as an agreeable fpeftacle that furnifhes us with an

inexhauftible fource of real pleafure, and ufeful inftruclion
leads us to the
;

Author of the univerfe

as

it

were by the thread of

the

caterpillar,

and which makes us admire in the variety of their

means, and in their tendency to the fame end, the fecundity asid

wifdom of the ordaining mind.

Nn

As

* Bonnet's Contemplation of Nature,

Microscopical Essays*:
As no
in feels

exceed the termites in their wonderful ceconomy%

it

wife contrivances, and ftupendous buildings,

will

he proper

to,

give the reader fome account of them, which

we

are enabled to

do from the by the

late

excellent paper defcribing them,

which was written

Mr. Smeathman, and publifhed

in the Philofophical

Tranfaciions for the year

The

termites

are reprefented

by

Linnaeus

as

the greater!
the-

plagues of both Indies, and are indeed every

tropics fo
lofies

way between

deemed, from the vaft damages they caufe, and the

in

which are experienced,

confequence of their eating and,

perforating
totally
lefs

wooden buildings, utenfils, furniture, Sec. which arc deflroyed by them, if not timely prevented for nothing;
;

hard than metal or (tone can efcape their

mod

defiruclive

jaws*

They have been taken notice of by

ent parts of the torrid zone
is
;

various travellers, in differ^

as

and indeed, where numerous,

that are

the cafe in

all

equinoctial countries and iflands

not
to*
a>

fully cultivated, if a perfon has not

been incited by curiofity

obferve them, he muft have been very fortunate, who, after

(hort refidence, has not been compelled to
property..
it

for the fafety of his,

Thefe

infects

have generally obtained the name of ants

fimilarity in their

it

may

be prefumed, from the

is

manner of living, which*

from whence their

in large communities, that erect very extraordinary nefts, for

5

the molt part on the furface of the ground excurfions are

galleries,

made through

fubterraneous paiTages, or covered

neceffity obliges, or plunder

which they build 3 whenever

induce

Microscopical Essays.
their habitations, carry

sgg

induces them to march above ground, and at a great diftance

from

on a

bufinefs of depredation

and debut not-

ftruclion, fcarce credible

but to thofe

who have

feen

it

withstanding they live in communities, and are like the ants

nivorous, though like

om-

them

at a certain period they are furnifhed

with four wings, and emigrate or colonize at the fame feafon, they are by no means the fame kind of infects, nor does their

form correfpond with that of ants in any one

existence.

ftate

of their

The

termites

refemble the ants

alfo
as-

in their provident

and

diligent labour,

but furpafs them,

well as the

bees, wafps,

beavers, and

all

other animals, in the arts of building, as

It
is

much
arts

as-

the Europeans excel the leaft cultivated favages.

more than
of of
in-

probable they excel them as

much

in fagacity,

and the

government
fa6t, lay

it is

certain they fhew

more

fubftantial inftances
;

their ingenuity

and induflry than any other animals

magazines of provisions and other

and do,
;

up

vaft

(lores

de-

gree of prudence, which has of late years been denied, perhaps

without reafon, to the ants.

The communities confift of one male and one female, (who are generally the common parents of the whole, or greater part of
the reft) and of three orders of infects, apparently of very differ-

ent fpecies, but really the fame, which together compofe great;

commonwealths, or rather monarchies,

The

great Linnaeus having feen or heard of but

;

two of

thefe
it.

orders, has claffed the genus erroneoufly

for
:

he has placed

among

the aptera, or infe&s without wings

whereas the chief

order,.

Microscopical Essays;
order, that
is

to fay, the infect in

it

it's

perfect Hate, having -four

wings, without any fling,

clafs it

belongs to the neuroptera, in which

fpecies.

will conflitute a

new genus of many

this

The
in their

different fpecies

of

genus referable each other

in their

in form,
;

manner of living, and

but

differ as

much

as birds in

good and bad qualities the manner of building their habiof which they

tations or nefts,

and

in the choice of the materials

compofe them.

There

.are

fome

fpecies

ground, or part above,

cies,

and part beneath

which build upon the furface of the and one or two fpe;

perhaps more, that build on the ftem or branches of trees.

Of every
feels,

fpecies there are three orders

firft,

die

working

in-

which, for brevity,

we

mall generally call labourers

next

the fighting ones, or foldiers, which

laft

of

all,

the winged ones,

do no kind of labour; and or perfect infects, which are male

:

and female, and capable of propagation pofitely be called the nobility, or gentry,
nor
toil,

thefe

might very ap-

for they neither labour,

nor

fight,

being quite incapable of either, and almoft of

felf-defence.

Thefe only are capable of being elected kings or

it,

queens

and nature has fo ordered

that they emigrate within

ft ate,

a few weeks after they are elevated to this

blifh

and

either efta-

new kingdoms,

orperifh within a day or two.

The te rimes bellicosus being the larger! fpecies, is mo ft remarkable, and belt known on the coaft of Africa. It erects
immenfe buildings of well-tempered clay, or earth, which are contrived and finifhed with fuch art and ingenuity, that we are

at

Microscopical Essays.
at a Iofs to fay whether they are moft to

295

be admired on that

account, or for their enormous magnitude and folidity.

The reafon
is

that the larger termites have been moft remarked,

obvious

they not only build larger and more curious nefts ?

but are

alfo

more numerous, and do

infinitely

more mifchief

to

mankind.
wifli

When
are

thefe infe&s attack fuch things as

we would not
trees,

to

have injured, we

mud

confide r

them

as

moft pernicious

but

when they

employed

in deftroying

decayed

and fub-

flances
juftly

which only incumber the furface of the

;

earth, they

may

be fuppofed very ufeful

and

for the reafon that they are

in one fenfe moft pernicious, they are in the other moft ufeful.

In

this refpefc

they referable very

much

the

common
and

flies,

which

are regarded
ufelefs

by mankind, in general

as noxious,

at beft as;

beings in the creation.

The

nefts

of this fpecies are fo numerous

all

over the ifland of

it
is

Bananas, and the adjacent continent of Africa, that

poftible to ftand

fcarce

upon any open

place, fuch as a rice plantation,

is

or other clear fpot, where one of thefe buildings

not to be feen

almoft clofe to each other.

tioned by

In fome parts near Senegal, as

men-

M. Adanfon, their number, magnitude, and clofenefs of fituation, make them appear like the villages of the natives,
Thefe buildings are ufually termed
ftrangers,
hills,
hills,

by

natives as well as
is

from

their

outward appearance, which

that of little

more or

lefs

conical, generally very

much

in

the form of

fugar loaves, and about ten

Beight above the

or twelve feet in perpendicular

ground*.

common furface of the

296
Thefe
high
;

Microscopical Essays.
hills

continue quite bare until they are

fix

or eight feet

but in time the dead barren clay, of which they are com-*

by the genial power of the elements in thefe prolific climates, and the addition of vegetable falts and other matters brought by the wind and in the fecond or third
;

pofed, becomes fertilized

year, the hillock, if not over-lhaded

reft

by trees, becomes like the of the earth, almoft covered with grafs and other plants
dry feafon, when the herbage
it is

and

in the

is

burnt up by the rays

of the fun,

not

much

unlike a very large hay-cock.

Every one of thefe buildings exterior and the interior.

.

confifts

of two

diftincl:

parts, the

The exterior is one

large fhell, in the

manner of a dome,

large

and flrong enough to inclofe and

vicifhtudes of the weather,

fhelter the interior from the and the inhabitants from the attacks
It is

of natural or accidental enemies.

always, therefore,

much

flronger than the interior building, which is the habitable part,

divided with a wonderful kind of regularity and contrivance into

an amazing number of apartments,

for the refidence of the king

and queen, and the nurfmg of

their

numerous progeny; or for

filled

magazines, which are always found well

provifions.

with ftores and

Thefe
little

hills

make

their

firft

appearance above ground by a

turret or two, in the fhape of fugar loaves,

which are run a

foot high, or

more

foon

after, at

fome

little

diftance, while the

in height and fize. they raife others, and fo go on increafing the number, and widening them at the bafe, till 'their works below are covered with thefe turrets, which they

former are increafing

always

Microscopical Essays,
always
raife

297

the higheft and larger! in the middle, and

by

filling

up

the intervals between each turret, collecT;

them

as

it

were into

one dome.

They are
in

not very curious or exal about thefe turrets, except

folid

making them very

is

and ftrong

and when, by the junction

of them, the dome

completed, for which purpofe the turrets

anfwer as fcafFolds, they take

away

the middle ones entirely, ex-

cept the tops, (which joined together

make the crown of

the

cupola) and apply the clay to the building of the works within,
or to erecling frefh turrets for the purpofe of railing the hillock
{till

higher

fo that

no doubt fome part of the clay

and polls of a mafon's
or dome,

is

ufed feveral

times, like the boards

fcaffold.

The outward
heavy
rains,

{hell,

is

not only of ufe to

protect,

and

fupport the interior buildings from external violence, and the

but to collecl: and p refer ve a tegular degree of genial
neceffary for hatching

warmth and moifture, which feems very the eggs and cheriihing the young ones.

The royal chamber,

For,

which, on account of

it's

being adapted
to be, in the

and occupied by the king and queen, appears

this
little

opinion of

people, of the raoft confequence, being

always fituated as near the center of the interior building as

poffible,

and generally about the height of the

common
it
is

furface

of the ground, at a pace or two from the hillock;

always

nearly in the fhape of half an egg, or an obtufe oval within, and

may

be fuppofed to reprefent a long oven,

Oo

fe

298
In the infant

Microscopical Essays,
(late

of the colony,
;

it

is

not above an inch, or

fix

thereabouts, in length

but

in-

time will be increafed to

or

eight inches, or more, in the clear, being

to the fize of the queen,

always in proportion
in bulk as in age, at

who, increafmg

length requires a chamber of fuch dimenfions,.

perfectly horizontal, and in large hillocks, fome-

The
is

floor

is

times an inch thick and

upward of folid clay

is
it it
is

the roof alfo,

which

one

folid

and well-turned oval arch,

but in fome places

generally of about the

fame
thick

folidity,
;'

not a quarter of an inch

this

is

on the

fides

where

joins the floor,

and where the

doors or entrances are

diftances

made

level therewith, at pretty equal

from each other.

not admit any animal larger than the

Thefe entrances
foldiers or labourers
full

will
;

fo that the king,

and the queen (who

is,

when

grown, a thoufand times the weight of a king) can never

poflibly

go out.
royal chamber,' if in a large hillock,
is

The

furrounded by
fizes,

am
and

innumerable quantity of others* of

dimenfions
;

different

ftiapes,

but

all

of them arched in one way or another, fome-

times circular, and fometimes elliptical or oval

Thefe
as wide,

either

open

into each other, or

communicate by paflages

and being always empty,

and attendants
neceflary,.
;

are evidently
it

made

for the

foldiers

of

whom,

will

foon appear, great

numbers are

and of courfe always

in waiting.

Thefe

Microscopical Essays,
Thefe apartments are joined by the magazines and nurferies the former are chambers of clay, and are always well filled with
provifions,

which to the naked eye feem to

plants,

confift

of the rafpings

of wood and

which the termites

deftroy, but are

found in
juices of

the microfcope to be principally the

plants.

gums or infpiffated

Thefe are thrown together

in little mattes,

fome of which

are finer than others,

fruits
;

and

referable the fugar about preferved

others are like tears of

ther like amber, a third

fee often in parcels

gum, one quite tranfparent, anobrown, and a fourth quite opake, as we

of ordinary gums.

Thefe magazines are intermixed with the

thefe are

nurferies,

which are
;

buildings totally different from the reft of the apartments

for

compofed

entirely of wooden materials, feemingly joined

together with gums.

invariably occupied
firft

They

are called nurferies becaufe they are

by the eggs and young

ones, which appear at

in the fhape

of labourers, but white as fnow.

Thefe buildvery fmall

ings are exceedingly compact, and divided into

many

irregular-fhaped chambers, not one of which

half an inch in width

they are placed

all

is to be found of round the royal apart-

ments, and as near as poffible to them.

When
the royal
it is

the neft

is

in the infant ftate, the nurferies are clofe to

chamber

but

as in procefs

of time the queen enlarges,

for her

neceffary to enlarge the

as

chamber

accommodation
and
requires a

and

me

then lays a greater

attendants, fo

number of
it is

eggs,

greater

number of

neceffary to enlarge and in;

creafe the

number of the

adjacent apartments
firft

for

which purpofe,

the fmall nurferies, which are

built,

are taken to pieces,

rebuilt

Oo

300

Microscopical Essays.
and the number of them?

rebuilt a little farther off a fize bigger3

increafed at the lame time.

Thus they

continually enlarge their apartments, pulldown^,

repair, or re-build, according to their wants, with a degree of

fagacity, regularity,

and

forefight, not

even imitated by any other

kind of animals or

infecls.

The nurferies

are inclofed in chambers of clay, like thofe which;

contain the pro virions, but

much

larger.

In the early Mate of the

in great hills

neft they are not bigger than an hazel-nut, but

are

often as large as a child's head of a year old.

The
alike,

difpofition of the interior parts of thefe hills

is

very

much
;

except

inflance,

when fome when the king and queen have been

infurmountable obftacle prevents

firft

for

lodged near

the foot of a rock, or of a tree, they are certainly built out of the
ufual form, otherwife pretty nearly according to the following,
plan.

The
ing,

royal

chamber

is

fituated at about a level with the furface

all

of the ground, at an equal diftance from

the fides of the buildIt is

and

directly

under the apex of the

hill.

on

all fides r

both above and below, furrounded by what may be called the royal apartments, which have only labourers and foldiers in them, and can be intended for no other purpofe than for thefe to
wait
in,

either to
fafety

guard or ferve their

common

father

and mother^.

on whofe

depends the happinefs, and, according to the

negroes, even the exigence of the whole community.

Thefe

Microscopical Essays.

301

Thefe apartments -eompofe an intricate labyrinth, which extends a foot or more in diameter from the royal chamber on every
fide.

Here the

nurferies

and magazines of provifions

begin, and

being feparated by fmall empty chambers and

galleries,

which go

round them, or communicate from one to the other, are continued on all fides to the outward {hell, and reach up within it two-thirds
or three-fourths of it's height, leaving an open area in the middle

under the dome, which very

cathedral
;

much

refembles the nave of an old

this

is

furrounded by three or four very large gothic-

fhaped arches, which are fometimes two or three feet high next
the front of the area, but diminifh very rapidly as they recede

from thence,
loft

like the arches

of aides

in perfpective,

and are foon

behind them.

among

the innumerable chambers and

nurferies

All thefe chambers, and the paflages leading to and from them,

being arched, they help to fupport one another; and while the
interior large arches prevent

them

falling into the center,

and

keep the area open, the exterior building fupports them on the
outride..

There
area,

are,

comparatively {"peaking, few openings into the great

for the

and they

mod

part feem intended only to admit that

genial

warmth

into the nurferies

which the dome

of

collects.

The
Sec.

interior building, or aiTemblage

flattifti

nurferies, chambers,.

has a

top, or roof,

without any perforation, which

dry, in cafe through accident

would keep the apartments below

the

dome mould
flat

receive

any

injury,

and

let in

water

and

it

is-

never exactly
it

and uniform, becaufe they are always adding to

nurferies
:

by building more chambers and

fo that the divifions,

qj:

302

Microscopical Essays.

or columns, between the future arched apartments, refemble the

pinnacles

upon

the fronts of fome

old buildings, and

for

demand

particular notice, as affording one proof that

the moft part

the infecls project their arches, and do not

vation.

make them by exca-

The

area has alfo a

flattiih

floor,

which

lies
it,

over the royal

chamber, but fometimes a good height above

having nurferies

and magazines between.

It

is

likewife water-proof,
if it

and con-

trived fo as to let the water

off,

mould

get in and run over,

by fome

fhort

way, into the fubterraneous paflages, which run

hill,

under the loweff apartments in the

are of an aftonifhing
fize,

in various directions, and

being wider than the bore of a great

cannon.

There

is

an account of one that was meafured, that

was perfectly

cylindrical,

and thirteen inches

in diameter.

Thefe fubterraneous

paflages, or galleries, are lined very thick

hill is

with the fame kind of clay of which the

afcend the infide of the outward
fhell

compofed, and

in a

fpiral

manner
inter fel

and
each

winding round the whole building up to the top,

other
at

different

heights,

opening either immediately into the

interior building, the

dome

in various places,

and into the

new
of

turrets,

&c.

or communicating thereto by

other

galleries

different bores or diameters, either circular or oval.

From

every part of thefe large galleries are various fmall pipes,

;

or galleries, leading to different parts of the building

under

ground there are a great many which lead downward, by Hoping defcents three and four feet perpendicular among the gravel, from

whence

the labouring termites cull the finer parts,

which being

worked

Microscopical Essays.
worked up
in their

303 becomes

mouths

to the confidence of mortar,

that folid clay, or ftone, of

which

their hills

and

all their build-

are ings, except their nurferies,

compofed.

Other
fide,

galleries

again afcend and lead out horizontally on every

furface, a vaft

and are carried under ground near to the

:

diftance

for if

you deftroy

all

the nefts within

one hundred

thofe which are left unyards of your houfe, the inhabitanis of on their fubterraneous carry neverthelefs molefted farther off, will

and invade the goods and merchandizes contained in it by fap and mine, and do great mifchief if you are not very
galleries,

circumfpecX

But

to return to the cities

from whence

thefe extraordinary ex-

of peditions and operations originate, it feems there is a degree large, being thus being hills the necelfity for the galleries under
labourers and foldiers going the great thoroughfares for air the whatever, whether fetching bufmefs any forth or returning upon
clay,

wood, water, or provifions and they are certainly well calculated for the purpofes to which they are applied, by the for if they were perpendicular, fpiral (lope which is given them
; ;

the labourers would

fo

not be able to carry

on

their building with

much

facility,

as they afcend a perpendicular with difficulty,

and the

foldiers

can fcarce do

it

at

all.

It is

on this account

that:

fometimes a road like a ledge

is

made on

the perpendicular fide

which is flat on the of any part of the building within their hill, gradually like upper furface, and half an inch wide, and afcends fides of hills the on a ftair-cai'e, or like thofe roads which are cut and mountains, that would otherwife be inacceffible by which
:

Microscopical Essays,
and
fimilar contrivances, they travel with great facility to every

interior part.

Having given fome idea of trie

nefts,

we now proceed

to give

a more particular account of the infecls themfeives, which will be exceedingly neceflary to a tolerable acquaintance with their

ceconomy and management, their manner of building, fighting, and marching, and to a more particular account of their ufes in the creation, and of the vaft mifchief they caufe to mankind. There are of every fpecies of termites three orders; of thefe
orders the working infects, or labourers, are always the moll

numerous;
leaft

in the

term.es bellicosus there feem to be

to

at the

one hundred labourers

one of the fighting

infecls, or fol-

diers.

They

are in this

ft ate

about one-fourth of an inch long,

and twenty-five of them weigh about a grain, fo that they are not fo large as fome of our ants from their external habit and fond;

wood, they have been very expreffively called wood-lice by fome people, and the whole genus has been known by that
nefs for

name, particularly among the French.

is true,

They

referable them,
faft,

it

very

much

at a diftance
fize,

they run as

or

fafter,

than

any other

infect,

of their

and are

inceftantly buflling about

their affairs.

The fecond order,

or foldiers, have a very different appearance

from the labourers, and have been by fome authors fuppofed to be the males, and the former neuters but they are, in fact, the fame infecls as the foregoing, only they have undergone a change
;

of form, and approached one degree nearer to the

perfect, flate.

They
in

are

now much
fifteen

larger, being half

an inch long, and equal

is

bulk to

of the labourers.

There

now,

likewife,

moil

Microscopical Essays.
1110ft

305
*

remarkable circumftanee in the form of the head and mouth

lor in the former flate the

mouth is evidently
this flate, the
little jagged,

calculated for

gnaw-

ing and holding bodies

but in

jaws being fhaped

juft like two very (harp awls a

they are incapable of

any thing but

very
effectual,

piercing or wounding, for which purpofes they are

being as hard as a crabs claw, and placed in a

head, which
is

ftrong

homey

of a nut-brown colour, and larger

than

all" the reft

of the body

together,
it
:

der great difficulty in carrying

the animal
is

which feems to labour unon which account, perhaps,

incapable of climbing up perpendicular furfaces.

The
ftill

third order, or the infect in

;

it's

perfect flate, varies

it's

form
differ
$

more than ever

the head,

thorax,

and abdomen,

almoft entirely from the fame parts in the labourers and foldiers

and

befides this, the animal

is

now

furnilhed with four fine large

it is,

brownifh tranfparent wings, with which

gration, to
it differs

at the time
:

of emiin fhort,

wing

it's

way

in fearch

of a new fettlement

fo

much from

it's

form and appearance in the two other

fame
neft
-

ftates, that it

has never been fuppofed to be the fame animal, but

it

by thofe who have feen

in the

and fome of thefe have

diftrufted the evidence of

their fenfes.

It

was

fo long before

Mi\
in-

Smeathman met with them

belonged to the fame family

in the nefts, that

he doubted the
natives,

formation which was given

:

him by
indeed,
;

the

that they

you may open twenty nefts

be found only

without finding one winged one

juft before the

for thofe are to

commencement of the
change, which
is

rainy feafon,

when they un-

dergo the

laft

preparative to their colonization,

Add
is

to

this,

they fometimes abandon an outward part of their

building, the

community being diminifhed by fome accident

fometimes

that

unknown

different fpecies of the real ant (formica)

pp

poffefs

go6
poflefs themfelves

Microscopical Essays,
by
force of a lodgment,
neft,

and

fo are frequently

diflodged from the fame

infecls.

and taken for the fame kind of

This

is

often the cafe with the nefts of the fmaller fpe-

cies, which are frequently totally abandoned by the termites, and completely inhabited by different fpecies of ants, cockroaches,

fcolopendras, fcorpions,
that

and other vermin fond of obfcure

of their roomy buildings.

retreats,

occupy

different parts

In the winged
well as form.

ftate

they have alfo

much

altered their fize as,

fix

Their bodies

now meafure between

and feven-

tenths of an inch in length, and their wings above

two inches

and a half from

tip to tip,

and they are equal in bulk to about

thirty labourers, or

two

foldiers.

They

are

now

alfo furnifhed

with two large eyes placed on each fide of the head, and very
confpicuous
;

if

they have any before, they are not eafily to be

firft ftates,
;

diftinguilhed.

Probably, in the two

like thofe

their eyes, if

they

have any, may be fmall

for thefe organs, and

of moles

for as they live like

little

thefe animals always under ground, they have as

it is

occafion

not to be wondered at that we do not

is

difcover them

but the cafe

much

altered

when they

arrive at

which they are to roam,, though but for a the winged few hours, through the wide air, and explore new and diftant In this form the animal comes abroad during, or foon regions.
ftate, in

after,

the

firft

tornado, which at the latter end of the dry feafon

rains,

proclaims the approach of the enfuing

a.

and feldom waits for

generally the cafe,
it,

fecond or third fhower

night,,

if

the

firft,

as

is

happens in the
that are to be
earth, but

and brings much

wet
all
is

after

the quantities-

found the next morning

over the furface of the

aftoniftiing
;

particularly

on the

waters,

for their
after,

wings are only calculated. to carry them a few hours; and

Microscopical Essays,
the rifmg of the fun, not one in a thoufand
is

^07
to be found with

four wings, unlefs the morning continues rainy,

there a folitary being
is

feen winging

it's
it's

when here and way from one place to

another, as

if felicitous

only to avoid

numerous enemies, par-

ticularly various fpecies

of

ants,

which are hunting on every fpray,

on every
of fafety,

leaf,

and

in every poflible place, for this in

unhappy

race,

of which, probably, not a pair

fulfil

many

millions get into a place

the

firft

law of nature, and lay the foundation of

a new community.

Not only
we'll as

all

kinds of ants, birds, and carnivorous reptiles, as

infecls, are

upon

the hunt for them, but the inhabitants

of

many

countries eat them.

They are now become, from one of the moll aclive, induftrious, and rapacious, from one of the molt fierce and implacable little
animals in the world, the moft innocent, helplefs, and cowardly
!

never making the

are to be feen

leaft refiftance to

the fmalleft ant.

The

ants

and

fizes,

numbers, of various fpecies dragging thefe annual viftims of the laws of nature to
fide in infinite
It is

on every

their different nefts.

fo

wonderful that a pair mould ever efcape

many

dangers, and get into a place of fecurity.

ever,

are fo fortunate;

and being found

galleries, the

Some, howby the labouring

furface

infecls that

are continually running about

the

of the

ground under their covered

tures immediately inclofe

little

induftrious creaclay, fuit-

them

in a fmall
firft

chamber of
foldiers to

able to their fize, into which at

trance, large

they leave but one fmall en-

enough

for themfeives

and the

go

in

and
ufe

much too little of and when neceffity

out, but
;

for either of the royal pair to

make

obliges

them
2

to

make more

entrances,

PP

they

Microscopical Essays,
they are never larger
;

fo that,

of courfe, the voluntary fubjefe

to fight for them, until
leaf!

charge themfelves with the tafk of providing for the offspring of

their fovereigns, as well as to

work and

they Ihall have raifed a progeny capable at

tafk with them.

of dividing the

The

bufinefs

of propagation, however, foon commences

and
as

the labourers having conftru&ed a fmall

fore defcribed, carry the

wooden nurfery, eggs and lodge them there as

as befaft

they can obtain them from the queen.

About
the

this

time a mofl extraordinary change begins to take

place in the queen, to which

we know nothing

fimilar,

except in

PULEX

PENETRANS of LlNN^EUS,
of
this

Weft-Indies, and in the different fpecies

JIGGER of the of coccus cochineal.

the

The abdomen

female begins gradually to extend and enfize,

large to fuch an

enormous

that an old

increafed fo as to be fifteen hundred or

queen will have it two thoufand times the

bulk of the

of her body, and twenty or thirty thoufand times the bulk of a labourer the fkin between the fggments of the abreft
;

domen extends
removed

in every direction,

and

at

laft

the fegments are

at
firft

to half

an inch diftance from each other, though

the length of the whole

abdomen

is

not above half an inch.

They

preferve their dark-brown colour, and the upper part of the ab-

domen

is

marked with a regular

feries

of brown bars, from the

thorax to the pofterior part of the abdomen, while the intervals

between them are covered with a thin, delicate, tranfparent fkin, and appear of a fine cream colour, a little fhaded by the dark
colour of the interlines and watery fluid feen here and there beneath.
It is

fuppofed that the animal

is

upwards of two years

Microscopical Essays.
old

39

when

the

abdomen

is

increafed to three inches in length

they have fometimes been found of near twice that fize. The abdomen is now of an irregular oblong fhape, being contracted

by
full

the mufcles of every fegment, and

is

become one

vaft matrix

merable quantity of very minute

infide in a ferpentine

of eggs, which make long circumvolutions through an innuveffels, that circulate round the

manner, which would exercife the inge-

nuity of a

Ikilful

anatomift to diffeft and develope. This fmgular

it's

matrix

is

not more remarkable for

amazing extenfion and

fize,

than for it's waves, and continues inceffantly without any apparent
the animal
;

periftaltic motion, which refembles the undulating of

effort

of

fo that

one

part or other alternately

is

rifmg and

finking in perpetual fucceffion, and the matrix feems never at

reft,

but

is

.always protruding eggs to the amount, as have

been

frequently counted in old queens, of fixty in a minute, or eighty thoufand and upwards in one day of twenty-four hours.

Thefe eggs are

(of

inflantly taken

whom

there always are, in

from her body by her attendants,, the royal chamber and galleries
and carried to the

adjacent,
nurferies,

a fufficient number in waiting)

which

in a great neft

feet diftant in

a ftrait line,

may fome of them be four or fiveand confequently much farther by

their

winding

galleries.

Here, after they are hatched, the young

are attended and provided with every thing neceflary, until they
are able to
fliift

for themfelves,

and take
is

their (hare

of the labours

of the community.

The

foregoing

an accurate defcription and

account of the termes bellicofus, or fpecies that builds the large

nefts, in
it's

different flates,

Thofe

Microscopical Essays.
Thofe which build
trees, feem, in

either the roofed turrets, or the nefts in the

them, both

in

moft inftances, to have a ftrong refemblance to their form and ceconomy, going through the fame
ftate.

changes from the egg to the winged

creafe to a great fize

The

queens alfo

in-

when compared with the

labourers, but
largeft are

very fhort of thofe queens before defcribed.

The

from about an inch

motion
in the

an inch and a half long, and not thicker than a common quill. There is the fame kind of
to
taltic

much
perif;

abdomen, but

in

much

final ler

degree

and

as the animal

is

incapable of moving from her place, the

eggs,

no doubt,

are carried to the different cells

limilar to that

by the

labourers,

and reared with a care

larger nefts.

which

is

praclifed in the

It is

remarkable of

all

thefe different fpecies, that the

working
air,

and the fighting

infects

never expofe themfelves to the open

but either travel under ground, or within fuch trees and fubftances as they deftroy; except, indeed,

when they cannot proconvenient or neceflary

ceed by their latent paffages, and find

to fearch for plunder above

it

ground

in that cafe they

nefts.

of that material with which they build their

fort ufe the red clay
;

make pipes The larger

;

the turret builders ufe the black clay

and

thofe which build in the trees

employ the fame ligneous fubftance

of which their

nefts are

compofed.

The

termites, except their

heads, are exceedingly

;

foft,

and

covered with a very thin and delicate fkin

being blind, they are

are all

no match on open ground

for the ants,

who can fee, and

of them covered with a ftrong horny

are of difpofitions bold, active,

fhell

not eafily pierced, and

and rapacious.

Whenever

Microscopical Ess at s.
Whenever

311

the termites are diflodged from their covered ways,

the various fpecies of the former,

who

probably are

as

numerous
young'

ftantly feize

above ground and drag them away to their

as the latter are in their fubterraneous paffages, innefts, to feed the

brood.

The

termites are, therefore, exceedingly felicitous about

the preferving their covered ways in

molifli

good

repair

and

if you

de-

one of them
it.

for a few inches in length,

it is

wonderful

how
very
on,

foon they rebuild

At

firft,

in their hurry, they get into the

it

open part an inch or two, but flop fo fuddenly, that apparent they are furprized for though feme run
:

is

ftrait

and

get under the arch as fpeedily as poffible in the further part,

mod

of them run as

fall

back, and very few will venture through'

is

that part of the track which

left

uncovered.

In a few minutes

you will perceive them re-building the arch, and by the next morning they will have reftored their gallery for three or four yards in length, if fo much has been; ruined and upon opening'
;

it

again, will be found as

numerous

as

ever under

it,

patting

both

ways.

If

you continue to deftroy

it

feveral times, they will at

length feem to give up the point, and build another in a different dire&ion but if the old one led to feme favourite plundery
;

in a few days will rebuild

neft,

it

again

and, unlefs you deftroy their

never totally abandon their gallery.

to houfes, &c.

They do

confiderable

damage

They make
furf ace,

their

approaches chiefly

under ground, defcending below the foundations of houfes and:

{lores at feveral feet

from the

and rifmg again either

in

the floors, or entering at the bottom of the pofts, of which the

fides

of the buildings are compofed, bore quite through them,

following the courfe of the fibres to the top, or

perforations

making

lateral'

and

cavities here

and there

as

they proceed.
xr

hile

312

'

Microscopical
are

Essays.,
polls, others afcend

While fome

employed in gutting the

rafter,

from them, entering a

or fome other part of the roof.

If

they once find the thatch, which feems to be a favourite food,

they foon bring up wet clay, and build their pipes, or
galleries,

through the roof in various directions,

;

as

long as

it

will fupport

them fometimes eating the palm-tree leaves and branches of which it is compofed, and perhaps (for variety feems very pleafmg
to them) the rattan, or other running plant, which
is

ufed as a

cord to
ports

tie

the various parts of the roof together, and that to the

it.

which fupport

Thus, with the

affiftance

of the

rats,

who, during the rainy feafon, are apt* to fhelter themfelves there, and to burrow through it, they very foon ruin the houfe, by weakening the faftenings and expofing it to the wet. In the

mean
full

time, the polls

will

be perforated

in every direction, as

of holes as that timber in the bottoms of {hips, which has

;

been bored by the worms

1 are the harden being ,

the fibrous and knotty parts, which

to the
laft.

left

Thefe

infects are

not

Iefs

expeditious in dertroying the fhelves,

wainfcotting,
itfelf.

and other

fixtures

of an houfe, than the houfe

They

are continually piercing

and boring

in all directions,

and fometimes go out of the broadfide of one poll into that of

another adjoining to
fofter fubftances the
it
;

but they prefer and always deftroy the

firft, and are particularly fond of pine and which they excavate and carry away with wonderful difpatch and aftonifhing cunning for, except a fhelf has fome-

fir-boards,

thing ftanding

upon

it,

as a

book, or any thing

elfe

which may

tempt them, they

ferve
fibres,
it

will

not perforate the furface, but artfully preall

quite whole,

and eat away

the infide, except a

few
;

which barely keep the two

fides

connected together

fo

that

Microscopical Essays.
that a piece of an inch-board,
will

3 3
!

which appears

folid to the

eye,

not weigh much more than two meets of pafleboard of equal

animals have been a
little

dimenfions, after thefe

feffion

while in pof-

of it.

In

fliort,

the termites are fo infidious in their attacks,

that

we cannot be

too

much on our guard

raife

againft

them: they

will ibmetimes begin and

their

works, efpecially in

new

houfes, through the floor.

If

you deftroy the work

and
if

fo begun,

and make a
to
rife

fire

upon

the fpot, the next night they will attempt

;

through another part

they happen to emerge unwill pierce the

der a cheft, or trunk, early in the

night
it

bottom,

and deftroy or
thefe accounts

fpoil

every thing in
fet

before the morning.

their chefls

On

the inhabitants

all

and boxes

upon

ftones or bricks, fo as to leave the bottoms of fuck furni-

ture foine inches

above the ground, which not only prevents

thefe infects finding

them out

fo readily, but preferves the botflrike

toms from a corrofive damp, which would

through, and rot every thing therein:
alfo

from the earth

a vaft deal of vermin

would harbour under, fuch

as cockroaches, centipedes, milin feels.

lepedes, fcorpions, ants,

and various other noifome

Though the view we have

length,
tice

given of the various proceedings of

already run to fome

infeds in forming their habitations, has

we cannot with
by the

propriety neglect taking fome further noart

of the wonderful induftry and

caterpillar;

which

is

mani felled
fo,

in thefe
is

refpecls
it

and more particularly

all

as

"it

by

we obtained the foundations of

our prefent knowledge of

the natural hiflory of infects.

Some

fpecies

of caterpillars form a kind of hammock, in which

;

they eat and go through their varied changes

while others erect

Qq

a tent.

3*4

Microscopical Essays.
They then
fruitful fpot.

a tent, under which they live, until they have confumed the fur-

rounding herbs.
tents in a

leave their abodes,

and

pitch their

more

Many
period.

aflbciate together all their lives, others

only for a certain

Thofe who

live together

proceed from the fame moth

who depofited the eggs near each other, or rather laid them in a

heap, forming as

it

were a kind of

neft.

Thefe are generally

a

hatched in the fame day, and

fpecies of republic, in

live together, constituting

new

which

all

are brethren.

They

often

amount

to near fix hundred in a family, though they are frequently to be

found with only about two hundred.

Of thefe. focial

caterpillars

there are fome fpecies which never quit the fociety while they are
in a larva Hate, even placing the chryfalis clofe together.

There

are other kinds

who

affociate only for a fhort period.

Among
is

the vaft variety of infecls which inhabit the oak, there

till

a fpecies of caterpillar which live feparate

:

they arrive

at.

certain age

they then affemble together, and do not quit each

perfect,
ft ate.

other

till

they attain their

is

As the number which

is

are thus aflembled

confiderable,

the neft

alfo very large.

They remain
tion
till

in-doors during the day, not leaving their habita-

fun-fet.

reft as a chief,

When they go out, one of the body precedes the whom they regularly follow when the leader
:

Hops, the reft do the fame, and wait

they recommence their march.

till

it

goes on again, before

generally confifts of
file,

The

firft file

a fmgle caterpillar, which are fucceeded by a double

thefe

by three
on.

in a row,

which are then followed by

clofe to

files

of five, and fo

They keep exceeding

each other, not leaving any

all

interval either

between the ranks, or thofe in each rank:

of

Microscopical

Essays,,

them following their captain in every direction, whether ft rait or crookei After they have taken their rep a ft, which is done pn the march, they return to their neft in the fame order in
which they
fe.t

out.

This mode

is

followed

till

they are

full

grown, when each

Forms a cone, in which

it is

changed into a

chryfalis.

Mr. Bon-

net has fhewn, that though thefe caterpillars proceed often very
far

from

their neft,

it is

by no means difficult

for

them to get back

again, becaufe they fpin over all the places in their rout.
firft

The

leads the way, the fecond follows fpinning, the third fplns
firft

after the

and fecond, and

fo

on with the

reft.

All thefe

threads form

and by degrees a fmall Alining track, a little To be fully convinced of the all thefe paths meet at the neft. ufe of thefe threads, let any one but break the continuation of them in fome place or other, and he {hall fee the little caterpillars turn back, as if they were at a lofs, till one more daring than,
path
;

the

reft reftores

the communication

by fpinning new

threads.

The
to the

reader

who

is

defirous of a fuller information concerning

the habits of thefe, as well as

laborious and
if

many

other Metis* muft be referred

interesting

memoirs of M. de Reaumur.
he will derive from thence
;

Happy

he

lliould, like

M.

de Geer, be induced thereby to

;

follow the fteps of fo great a mafter

a continual fource of new pleafures and inereafing delights and the more he extends the boundaries of his;obfervations, the more

he

will
all

be convinced that infinity

is,

as

it

were, impreffed

on

the works of the Creator.

Different

3i6

Microscopical Essays,
in great but then as they feem to

Different fpecies of caterpillars are often to be found

numbers on the fame

tree or plant

have no connexion with each other, and the actions of the one have no influence on the other, they may be confidered as
ftill more independent of each other, and greater friends to folitude, conftru&ing a lodging, formed of leaves tied together with considerable ingenuity,
;

folitary

but there are others

who feem

in

which they
fold

live as in a hermitage.

The

operation by which

who

is far furpafled by another kind, and bend one part of the leaf till it meets the other. Thefe are again exceeded by thofe who roll the leaves which they

thefe tie the leaves together,

inhabit.

For

this purpofe, the caterpillar chufes a part

:

of a leaf

which

it

finds in
it's

and begins
dle of the

fome degree bent here it eftablifhes it's abode, work, moving the head with great velocity, in
it

a curved line, or rather vibrating

like a

pendulum, the mid-

body being the center on which it moves. At each motion of the head a thread is fpun, and fixed to that part to
which the head feems to be applied. The threads are extended from the bent to the flat part of the leaf, being always adj idled, both in length and ftrength, to the nature of the leaf, and the curvature which is to be given to it.

M. de Geer

attending to the operations of a fpecies of this

at

kind of caterpillar, obferved, that

each new thread

it

fpun, the

edges of the leaf infenfibly approached to each other, and were

bent more and more, in proportion

threads
;

as the caterpillar

fpun new

when the
it
it

laft

thread that was fpun was

in the air.

tight, that

which

preceded

was loofe and floating

To

effeft this, the

caterpillar, after

has fixed a thread to the two edges of the Jea

(and before

it

fpins another)

draws

it

towards

itfelf

by the hooks-

Microscopical Essays,
of it's
feet,

317

and by

this

means bends the leaf

it

then fpins another

it

thread, to maintain the leaf in this pofitioh, which

again pulls

towards
in
it's

itfelf,

and repeats the operation,

It

till

it

has bent the leaf

whole

direction.

now
;

begins again, placing the threads

leaf,

further back
this

upon the bent part of the

it is

and by proceeding in
it

manner,

rolled

up

when

it

has finilhed this bufinefs,

ftrengthens the work,

by fattening the ends of the leaf together. The habitation thus formed is a kind of hollow cylinder, open to
infecl;

the light at both ends, the fides of it affording the

prote6tion, for within
it

food and

the creature feeds in fafety.

:

In the fame

cafe they are alfo transformed

at the

approach of the change the

caterpillar lines the rolled leaf with fiik, that the

rough parts of it

may

not injure the chryfalis.

great

number of

the fmaller larva

require
air.

an

artificial

covering, to protect them, from the open

Among
their

thefe,

fome inhabit the interior parts

of leaves,

making

way

between the fuperior and inferior membranes, living upon the parenchymous parts of the leaf: and as they are exceeding fmall,
a leaf affords them a fpacious habitation*
If the diftanee

between

the membranes is not large enough for them, they enlarge the fpace by forming different folds in one of them, in which they can move with eafe from thefe circumftances they have been named by Mr. Reaumur miners of leaves. This illu'lrious author
:

has defcribed. thefe larva, the

flies

into

which they are -ch an aed,

and
this

all

the various methods

made

ufe of

by them

in

performing
;

work.

Some mine
gallery,

a large oval

or circular fpace
ftrait,

others,

form a kind of
crooked.

which are fometimes

fome mes

They only

leave a thin

membrane on

the upper fide

of the

leaf;

but they leave the under fide more fuMantial.

One

fpecies*

Microscopical Essays,
fpecies of

moth which proceeds from

thefe larva is very fmall,

but exceedingly beautiful.

The larva of the phryganea moll own building, which are formed of
are generally cylindrical, and
lined with filk fpun
fubfiances, as bits

y live in

little cafes

of their

a variety of materials, that

they train after them in the water wherever they go.

Thefe cafes
the infide
is

open

at

both ends

by the

larva, the outfide

formed of

different

fmall (hells, &c.

dexterity.

of reed, ftone, gravel, and fome entirely of which they arrange and manage with lingular
quit this cafe.
firft

They never

When

they walk they put

out the head, and a few of the

cafe after them.

rings

of the body, training the

Having

lived in the water for

air.

fome

time, they

become

inhabi-

tants of the

They affume

the pupa form in the water, doling

bars of
;

up

the two ends of the cafe with

filk,

by which
the

it is

and fecured from the attacks of it's enemies there is a free paflage for the water, which is
exiffence
cafe,
;

at
ftill
it's

fame time
it's

neceffary for

at a

proper period the pupa forces

for the land,
is

way through the

inflantly

and makes

where

it's

further

change

commences, and

foon completed.

We mail

clofe thefe fpecimens of the induftry of infects with

is

an

account of that which

greateftpart of the

difplayed by the larva of the tinea.

little

The
;

body of thefe
cylindrical,

creatures, except the head

and

fix fore feet, is

infecl: is

covered over with a thin tender fkin

the
is

body of the
open
at

and lodged

in

a tube which

both ends.

Soon

after they are

born they begin to cover

tubes

themfelves,

and

are, therefore,

feldom to be found but in thefe

Microscopical Essays,
tubes or cafes.

329
is

They

are, in general, fo final I, that it

not eafy

to diftinguifh the cafes without a magnifier; but as the

lengthens., the cafe

body
it's

becomes too

fhort

it is,

therefore, part of
it

daily

employ to lengthen the

purpofe,
fixes
it

cafe.

For

this purpofe,

extends

the head beyond the tube, and having found the materials which

anfwer

it's

it

tears

it off,

and brings

it

to the

end of the
has
fuffi-

tube, and

there, repeating this

it
;

manoeuvre

till it it

ciently lengthened

after

it

has finifhed one end,

turns itfelf
at the

round within the

other.

cafe,

and performs the fame operation

This does not terminate their labours, for the tube

increafed in diameter, as
it

mud

alfo

be

foon becomes too fm all for the body;

the means they

we

ourfelves

make ufe of to enlarge it, is prccifely the fame as mould adopt under fimilar circumflances. The intwo oppofite
fides,

feci: flits

the tube at the

flit

at the
fize
;

fame end, and

it

inferts in the

two pieces of the required

then performs
it

the fame at the other end.

fufficiently,

By

this

means they foon enlarge

without expofing themfelves to the air during the

operation.

The
is

outfide of thefe cafes

is

made of

filk,

hair, Sec.

The
it

infide

of filk only.

Their covering always partakes of the

it

colour of the cloth, or tree, &c. from whence

paries over a red piece, the colour will

was taken.

If

be

red..

When
cloth,

they

are

come

to their perfect growth, they

abandon the
pafs

and

leek for a proper' place wherein they

to

may

from

their prefent

a more

perfect flate.

cannot conclude
Stillingfleet.

this

long chapter better than in the words of

are apt to treat with

Mr.
hi an

"

Many

contempt any
examinirig

whom

they fee

employed

in poring over a mofs, or

'

320

Microscopical Ess a Vs.

unimportant and barren fpeculations

ing an infect, from day to day, thinking that he fpends his time

and

his life in

yet were the

whole

fcene of nature laid

open

to our views,

were we admitted

to behold the connections

and dependencies of every thing on

every other,

and to trace the ceconomy of nature through the

fmaller as well as greater parts of this globe,

we might, perhaps,

be obliged to own we were miftaken

that the fupreme architect

manner, that we cannot profaid to be unconcerned in perly be any one of them and there-

had contrived

his

works

in fuch a

which feem upon a flight view to be quite in the end appear to be of no fmall importance to ufelefs, may mankind. Nay, were we only to look back into the hiftory of
fore, that Studies.,

and fciences, we mull be convinced that we are apt to judge over haftily of things of this nature. mould there find many
arts

We

proofs that he
creatures,

who
it

ve this inftin&ive curiofity to ibme of his

gave

for

good and

great purpofes,

and that he

re-

wards with ufeful difcoveries

all thefe

minute

refearcfies.

It is

true this does not always

happen to the

fearcher,

or

his

contemporaries, nor even fometimes to the immediate fucceeding

generation
;

but

am

apt to think, that advantages of one kind

;

or other always accrue to mankind from fuch purfuits

are born to obferve
ufelefs,

fome men

and record what perhaps by

as ufelefs

itfelf is perfectly

but yet of great importance to another

ftill
;

who

follows

goes a ftep farther,

thus

to

him another

fucceeds,

and and

by

degrees,

till

at laft

one of a fuperior genius comes,

who
on

laying all that has been done before this time together, brings

a new face of things, improves, adorns,

exalts

human

fociety.

" All

Microscopical Essays,
c-

321

All thofe

fpcculations

concerning lines and numbers, fo

ardently purfued, and fo exquifitely conducted by the Grecians*

what did they aim

little

at ? or

what did they produce

alferts

for

ages? a
all

arithmetic,
of.

and the

firft

elements of geometry, were

;

they

had need

This Plato

and though,
yet he

as

being himfelf an
Sciences,

able mathematician,

and remarkably fond of thefe

;

he

recommends the ftudy of them

that

makes

ufe

of motives

have no relation to the

common

purpofes of life.

"

When

Kepler, from a blind and ftrong impulfe, merely to

nature, difcovered that

find analogies in

famous one between

the diftance of the feveral planets from the fun,

in

which they complete

it

their

and the periods revolutions, of what importance

was

to

him
;

or the world ?

" Again

when

Galileo, pufhed

on by the fame
fall

irrefifiible

curiofity, found out the law by which bodies

to

the earth,
his

did he, or could he, forefee that any

good would come from

ingenious theorems ?

or was any immediate ufe made of them ?

et

Yet had not the Greeks pufhed

their abflracl: fpeculations fo

dis-

far,

had not Kepler and Galileo made the above-mentioned

coveries,

we never could have feen the greateft came from the hands of man, Sir Ifaac Newton's
"

work

that ever

Principia.

Some obfcure

perfon, whofe

name

is

not fo

much

as

known,

diverting himfelf idly, as a ftander-by

would have thought, with

on a feemingly contemptible piece of {tone, found out a guide for mariners on the ocean, and fuch a guide as no fcience, however fubtil and fublime it's fpeculations may be, however Rr
trying experiments
>

g 22

M rC R OS CO Pi C A L
conelufions,
that put Sir

E S SAY"

however wonderful its It was mere euriofity

would ever have arrived"at;.

Thomas Millington upon ex;

but his difcoveries have amining the minute parts of flowers fyftera of botany that ufeful moft and perfeci moft produced the
the world has yet feen.

" Other inftances might be produced to prove, that bare euriofity and in one age is the fource of the greateft utility in another what has frequently been faid of chymifts, may be applied to
;

every other

kind

of

vertuofi.
;

They

hunt,

perhaps,

after

chimeras and impoffibilities

they find fomething really valuable

by

the bye.

We
fo

are but inftruments under the

as

Supreme Director,,

and do not

much
we

know,

importance for us to fearch after y but

thing, viz.- that if

ftudy

many cafes, what is of moft we may be fure of one and follow nature, whatever paths we
in

are led into;

felves

we

fhall at

1 aft

arrive at fomething valuable to our-

and

others, but

of what kind we- muft be content. to*

remain ignorant."

Microscopical Essays,

C H A K

VI.

Giving some Account of the Anatomical Structure

of the cossus, or caterpillar, which
is

found

in

the Trunk of

the Willow

and several other,

miscellaneous objects.

/--v

all

the modifications of which matter

is

is

fufceptible, the

\J

molt noble

undoubtedly the organization thereof.

In

the ftructure of animals, the Sovereign

us in the moll ftriking manner.

particular fyftem,

Wifdom is exhibited to The body of an animal is a little

is

more or

lefs

complicated, and which, like the

the refult of the combination

fyftem of

the univerfe at large,

and connection of a multitude of different pieces, which all confpire to produce one general effect., the manifeftation of the prinSo wonderful are thefe combinations, ciple which we term life.
that

we

are incapable of

comprehending, or even of admiring

fcfficiently,

the aftonifhing apparatus of fprings, levers, counter-

weights, of tubes of different diameters, &c. which eonftitute thefe

organic al machines.
vile in

The

interior parts
all

of the

infect,

the moll

appearance, would abforb

the powers of the moft able

anatomift.

He would be
all it's

loft in

the labyrinth as foon as he at-

tempted to explore

windings.

A truth that will be evident

'

Rr

to

Microscopical
to every one

Ess- ays.

who confiders

only the fmall portion of the anatomy

is

of the caterpillar here exhibited, which

derful

extracted from the

wonla*

work of Mr. Lyonet,

entitled " Traite

Anatomique de

Chenille qui ronge le Bois de Saule," to which; the reader mull be

referred for a

more ample account of the ftru&ure of this animal

be given here to convince every one of the power
in the difplay

enough
and

will

ufe of microfcopic glafles

of the wonders of

creation;
it is

enough

will

be introduced to prove to the reader that

not matters of magnitude which only engage the attention or

art

of the Al mighty, " he delights to be elaborate on the minute-

nefles

and minims of nature

to
fkill

open

his immenfity, as it were,

within

n fpeck
;

to lavifh his

butterflies

and

to inform ants

and ornaments on infects and and bees with better fagacity and

fcience than
exhibit.

the moll laboured fyftems of

littlenefTes

human

policy can

For the

of our

God

are great

beyond eom-

and while the univerfe cannot contain him, his wifdom and might, his goodnefs and glory, and the fulnefs of his infinity;
ception,

are entire,

and difplayed through every point of

infinite fpace."^

Our theme no great (of one exclufive) knows; No little when from one, that one it flows.
*
1

*
is

Where one, and

The
reptile

only one,
all

truly

great!"

All equidiftant, or alike

near^

minim, or the rolling fphere;:

lefs,

Alike minutely great, or greatly

In form
finite,

infinitude exprefs;
of

Exprefs the

feal

character

divine,.

And

bright, thro' his

informing radiance shine-

We
* Brooke's Juliet Grenville,
vol. I, p.

198.

Microscopical Essays.

325
itfelf, and which are

We

(hall firft give a general defcription

of the animal
it

then proceed to explain thofe anatomical parts of

Eeprefented at Fig.
like
i,

This every other caterpillar, proceeds from an egg, which the parent moth takes care to depofit in general againft the trunk of the willow ; to- this it is attached by a vifcous humor, which
2,

3, 4,

5,

6, 7,

of Plate XII.

infect.,

foon becomes fo hard that the rain cannot diffolve

it.

The egg

is

very fmall, of an oblong fpheroidal fhape

when

examined by the microfeope, we find broad waving furrows running through the whole length of it, which are again croffed by
clofe {breaks, giving
it

the appearance of a wicker balket.

in, Auguft,

It is

probable that they are hatched fome time

fmall, they are generally to be

becaufe the

fmall caterpillars are often to be found in September.

When

tree to

met with under the bark of the which the eggs were fixed a humid oozing from the hole
;

they have made

to fearch for

to get
;

under the hark,

it is

is

often a direction where

them

though

not always a certain fign, becaufe

the fame

effect is often

occafioned by other infeels.

Thefe

caterpillars

change- very

little

in their colour, be^ng

when they are full grown as when they are very young. Like many others they are capable of fpinning as foon as they are born. They change alfo feveral times- their fkin^. but as it is almofl impoffible to raife them under a glafs, it is not eafy to determine how many times, they moult or put off their fkin if we are to judge of the number of times by the difference in fize between the new born and full grown caterpillar and if we cornpare thefe with the increafe of the head, every time it moults; we may reafonably conclude, that it changes.
nearly the fame
;

oftener

326

Mi croscopic a.l
of

ES S A

YS.

oftener than the generall y

four, five, or fix times, for

caterpillars, that is, more than fome have been obferved to mouk

above nine times.

We

have already taken notice of thefe changes in the

laft

chapter.

The

caterpillar generally fafts for

fome days previous

of the head
were within

to the moulting, the flefhy

and other

interior parts

are then detached from the old fkull,

and

retire as it

the neck
it

it is

foon however cloathed with pieces fimilar to thofe

firft

has abandoned, only larger and at

{kin

very

foft.

When

the

new

opened, and

and the other parts are formed, the old {kin is to be all the members withdrawn from it, an operation

naturally difficult, but which muft be rendered

foft

more

fo

from the
cater-

and weak
is

ftate

of the

little

creature at that time.

The

pillar

always

much

larger after the change.

It

appears from the experiments of

M. Lyonet,

that this caterit

pillar generally paffes

two

winters at
it

leaft, if

not three, before

affumes the pupa

ftate,

but then

neither afts nor eats in the

little

winter, forming at the approach of this feafon a

cafe or

habitation, the infide of

which

is

lined with

filk,

and the outflde

:

covered with fmall pieces of wood

this
it

like fine faw-dufl

inclofed in

waits the return of fpring.

They .are fometimes

is

three

inches and an half long

inches.

when

full

grown, the fmalleft about two

very great,
if

The

fize

which they

attain

compared

with that of the

new born

caterpillar,

which does not exceed one

twelfth of an inch, an increafe in growth

much

fuperior to that

of the larger animals.

It

Microscopical Essays,
Ft

327
month of May
it

generally prepares for the

pupa

ftate in the

it's firft

care being to find a hole in the tree fufficient to give iffue

to the

moth

and

if it finds

none proper

for the purpofe,

makes one equal

in fize to the future pupa.

it

The

hole being
it

made

or found,

begins to conftruct a cafe or cone, which

forms of thin pieces of wood, uniting them together, by

into an
ellipfoid

filk,

fhape

the outfide
;

is

formed of little

flicks

united

together

in

all

directions

the caterpillar takes care that the

pointed end of the cafe

may be

always oppofite to the

cafe,
all
it

mouth
except

of the hole

having finifhed the outride of the

lines the

infide with a filken tapeftry,

of aclofe texture in
tiffue
is

parts,

the pointed end, and where the

it's

loofer, in order to facilitate

efcape at a

proper feafon.

The work being finifhed,

manner, that

the caterit's

pillar places itfelf in the cafe in fuch a

head

may

always lay towards the opening of the hole in the tree or

cafe.

pointed end of it's

In
Ikin

this ftate
firft

it

remains at

reft for

fome time; the colour of the'

The
legs

becomes pale, afterwards the whole {kin appears brown, interior parts of the head are detached from the (kull, the
or

retire

withdraw themfelves

from

their exterior cafe,,

the body fhortens, the pofterior part grows

rior part fwells fo

final 1,

while the ante-

much,
it

as at laft

to burft the (kin, which,

to the
tail,

by

variety of motions,

pufhes

down

and thus exhibits

eafily

the pupa, in which the parts of the future

traced.

moth may be

The
but
it

covering of the pupa

is

at

firft Toft,
is

humid, and white,

foon dries and hardens, and

then of a marron colour

the fore-part, in which the lineaments of the head, the legs, and

the

S 28
the wings of the

Microscopical Essays.
moth may be
is

di (covered, is -quite

immoveable,

but the pofterior part

moveable.

The

anterior

end of

this

pupa
eyes
;

is

furnifhed with two horns, one above the other, under the

there are alfo

on

it's

back

feveral

rows of points one under

the
tail.

the other, the points directed towards

The pupa
moth
that

reis it

mains in

it's

cafe for

fome weeks

as foon as the

formed therein
is

finds itfelf

enabled to break the bonds by which

;

confined,

it

begins

-to

agitate itfelf within the cafe

the points
ferve as a

are then rendered of effential fervice, thofe

on the back
it is

fulcrum, to prevent

it's

flipping backwards, while

opening the

hole of the cone with thofe on the head.

The new-formed moth

an hour before
it

labours in general about a quarter of

cafe.

can effectually open the

This being done,

preffes
itfelf for-

by redoubled
wards,
for if
it till

efforts it enlarges the hole,

and

it

arrives at the edge,

it

where
fall

it

makes a hidden
fall.

flop

advanced further
it's life,

would

to the ground, and proba-

Here then the pupa repofes itfelf for a time, after which the moth begins to difengage itfelf from the bonds which confine it; when it has
bly lofe
or be materially injured by the

efcaped from the pupa,

it

fixes

itfelf

againft

the trunk of the

tree, with the head upwards, and often remains in this fituation for fome hours, during which time the wings and members are

perfeaiy developed, and rendered

fit

for

atom
halts.

have been
at leaft

in-

formed by Mr. Marfham, that

it

generally puihes
it

one-

third of the cafe out of the hole before

Descrip

Microscopical Essays.
Description
of

329

Plate

XII.
is

The body of
Fig. 2

the caterpillar in this plate

it's

divided into twelve

parts, correfponding to

rings.

Thefe

divisions are
1,

marked

in

and 3, Plate XII. by the numbers

2, 3,

up

to 12; to

the

firft

number the word ring

rings

is

annexed.

Each of thefe
part.

is

diftinguifhed
it,

from that which

follows,

and that which precedes

by a kind of neck or fmall hollow

rings,
1,

By
;

conceiving a line to pafs through thefe necks, and

forming boundaries to the

visions
firft

we

acquire twelve

more

di-

thefe are alfo

marked
is

2, 3, 4, <&c.

to 12, but to the

the

word division

affixed.

To facilitate
found
it

further the defcription of this animal,

M. Lyonet

neceffary to form fome ideal di virions, or rather lines,

it.

to pafs through

He

therefore fuppofed,

firft,

a line to pafs

down
line,

the middle of the back, and this he called the fuperior

becaufe
;

it

marked the

mod

elevated part of the back of the

caterpillar

the inferior line, one directly oppofite to the former,

and

palling

from the head down the belly to the

tail.

In

all

caterpillars,

on the
laft,

right

and
is

left
little

of each ring, except

organ, fomething to

the fecond, third,

and

there
;

appearance like an

elliptic fpot

thefe are

termed the fpiracula,

and have been mentioned

feveral times in this

work

as

they are
inferior

fituated nearly at equal diftances

lines, lines,

from the fuperior and

they furnifh us with a further fub-divifion, called the lateral

which

pafs

through the fpiracula, the one on the right, the

of the caterpillar.

other on the

left fide

Thefe

gcp
Thefe four

Microscopical Essays,
lines,

which we may conceive to divide the cater-

pillar longitudinally into four equal parts, are attended with this

remarkable circumftance, that each of them mark the place under

the fkin that
rather the
fpinal
is

occupied by a confiderable vifcera

lies

the heart, or
line
;

thread of hearts,

under the fuperior

;

the

marrow immediately over

the inferior line

the two tra-

cheal arteries follow the courfe of the lateral lines.

At equal

diftances

from the fuperior and two

lateral lines,
lines.

and

the inferior lines,

we may

fuppofe four intermediate

The

two between the fuperior and

fuperior lines
;

lateral lines are called intermediate

two others which are oppofite to them, and between the lateral and inferior lines, the intermediate inferior
the
lines.

An Explanation
Account

of Figures

of the

i and 2, Plate XII; or an Muscles of the Caterpillar when

OPENED BY THE BeLLY.

Of

all

the interior parts of the caterpillar, none prefent fo

beautiful a view, or a

ment, than that

more wonderful and fymmetrical arrangeof the mufcles the more fo, if they are taken
;

away by equal

ftrata

on both

fides, fo as

to expofe at the fame

time the flmilar mufcles on the oppofite

fide,

and by

this

means

exhibit to the aftonifhed eye their exa6l form

and correfpond-

ence.

Fig.

and 2

is

a reprefentation of the mufcles of two difFerent

at the belly,
5

caterpillars,

Opened

and fuppofed to be joined

to-

gether at the fuperior lines

for as the mufcles

on the oppofite
fids

Microscopical Essays,
fide of each caterpillar are perfectly fimilar,

331

neceffary to reprefent them, but

it was not only unby joining another view of the

mufcles, as in Fig. 2,

we

are enabled

to exhibit thofe mufcles

which were covered in Fig, 1, and by this means fave much time in the defcription, and the addition of another plate.

The dorfal
letters
;

mufcles, or thofe of the back, are

marked by

capital

the gaftric mufcles, or thofe of the belly, by

Roman let-

ters

the lateral mufcles by Greek characters.

latter,

Mr. Lyonet has

which are marked

only given a name to thofe among the

{)

thefe are placed

;

upon

all

the divifions, from the fecond to the

eleventh
fituation

they are called dividing mufcles, on account of their

a mufcle that has been once marked with a

letter

always retains the fame, both in the defcription and the other
figures.

Preparation,
The
been
caterpillar
fat,

was emptied, and the mufcles freed from the

maffes of
left,
it

the nerves, and other veflels, which, if they

mufcles.,

had
ren-

would have confufed the view of the

and
trace them.

and

dered

difficult to diftinguifh

First
The
but
it

Ring.
anterior one
is

mufcle

is

double.

The

thick at top,
fide,

and feems to be divided

fertions

into different mufcles

pn the upper

has no fuch appearance on the under

is

fide.

One of their in;

towards the head, at the fkin of the neck

firft

the other

infertion

of the

mufcle

is

little

above, and that of the

feconj

332
fecond mufcle

Microscopical Essays^

is

little

below the

firft

fpiraculum, near- which

they are fixed to the fkin.

is

long and (lender

it is

fixed

by

it's

anterior extremity unring, to the circum-

der the gaftric mufcles (a and b) of the

flex fcale

firft

of the bafe of the lower

arteries,
it

lip.

After having pafled under

fome of the

introduces

itfelf

under the mufcle

0,

and

communicates there with the mufcle c of the fecond ring.

/3 is

it is

fome times fmgle, fometimes double, and fometimes triple ; hardly poflible to open the caterpillar by the belly without
it
;

breaking

the anterior fixture

is

to the pofterior
is

edge of the fide

middle of the

of the parietal fcale; the lower fixture

ring, near the inferior
line.

at the

The
at

mufcles marked are three in number

the

firft

is

fixed

one extremity, near the lower edge of the upper part of the
;

parietal fcale

the other end divides

itfelf

into three or four taij^

which are fixed to the

fkin of the caterpillar

under the mufcle

The
mer
;

anterior

end of the fecond has

little

it's

infertion near the for-

that of the third a

under the two foregoing, at the fkin

f the neck, under the mufcle A.

the cavity of the
firft

Thefe two
fixed

laft

pafling over

pair of limbs, are

by

feveral tails to

the edge oppofite to this cavity.

In this fubjecl there are two mufcles marked

is

!),

fometimes there
fold of the

only one

their anterior fixture

is

to the

lower edge of the

firft

parietal fcale; the other

ends are inferted in the

belly fide.

fkin of the neck,

on the

ffand

Microscopical Essays.
/3

333
entire,

and

t>

are beft feen in Fig. 3,

where they are

not

being injured by an unnatural extenfion.

Of the second and following

Rings, to the last.

Two

large dorfal mufcles,

and B, are difcovered

in the

There are three, A, B, C, in fecond and four following rings. four, A, B, C, D, are to be the 7th, 8th, gth, and 10th rings
;

feen at the 11th ring;

and

five,

A, B, C, D, E,

at the anterior

part of the 12th ring.

All thefe

files,

or ranges of mufcles, A, B, C, and E, as well

as the garble mufcles, a, b, c, d,

appear at hrft fight only as a

iingle mufcle, running nearly the

whole length of the

it

caterpillar
confift

but when

this is

detached from the animal,

is

found to

of fo many of the rings

diftincl mufcles,
;

each mufcle only the length of one

their extremities are fixed to the divifions of each

ring, excepting the mufcle a,

which

at the 6th, ythj 8th,

9th rings has

it's

infertions rather
as

beyond

the divifions.

and Each

row of mufcles appears nected at top by fome of

the other.

one, becaufe

they are clofely conpafs

the fibres, which

from one ring to

The

mufcles A, B, C, E, from their fituation

;

may

be called the right mufcles of the back

the mufcles
the belly.
a, b, c,

and

for the

fame reafon

and

d,

may

be called the right mufcles of

From

the third ring the mufcles A,

which are twelve

divifions they

in

num-

ber, gradually diminifh in breadth to the lower part of the laft

ring; at the 8th

and three following

at the
1

communicate
of

with the mufcles B, and

ith with D,

In the lower part

Microscopical Essays,
of the
ring
;

laft ring,

is

much broader
it

one extremity of

is

was in the preceding contracted, and communicates with

than
it

the lower infertion

is

at the

membrane

I,

which

is

the exterior

fldn of the fcecal bag.

It

may be proper

to obferve, that the mufcles,

A and B,

of the
is

lower part of the

laft ring,

cannot be feen until a large mufcle

is

removed, which on one

ring,

fide

fixed to the fubdivifion of this

on the other to the

right mufcles

fcecal

bag.

The

are alfo twelve in

larger
1

the fecond ring, and

grow
is

number they begin at from thence to the 7th from

;
:

the 7th to the fubdivifion of the

2th they are one-half narrower

the deficiency in width

fupplied

by the

fix

mufcles C, which

go with
mufcles

it

from the 7th to the fubdivifions of the 12th ring.

and

The
nth,

have a

lateral

communication

at the 8th,

and 12th
ring
part.
;

divisions;

is

wanting at the fubdivifion of the 12th

in that

it s

place

is filled

up by B, which becomes broader

We have now only to fpeak

The
firft

of the three floating mufcles V.

firft

of thefe originates at the under N, where

it is

ring,

from whence

it

intro-

duces
paffes

itfelf

fixed,

and then fubdivides 3 and

under parts which render

it

invifible in this figure.

The
it

fecond floating mufcle begins at the fecond

divifion,
;

being

fixed to the anterior extremity

directs itfelf

of the fecond ring

from thence

towards the ftomach, and after communicating

it

with the cafe of the corpus craffum,

into eight mufcles,

divides
belly.

and fpreads

itfelf

which run along the

The

Microscopical Essays*
The
and
third,

$35

V, begins at the third

divifion, originating partly

at the (kin, partly at the junction of the mufcles

of the fecond

third ring.
it

It

directs

itfelf

obliquely towards the belly,

;

meeting

near the third fpiraculum

branching from thence,

it

forms the oblique mufcles of this vifcera.

The
ring,

thin long mufcle

0,

which

is

at the fubdivifion

of the

laft

and covers the anterior

infertion of the large mufcle (a),

fans paire)
at
it is

where the ring terminates,

at

(il eft

fingle

it

begins

one extremity of the mufcle

c,

the fore part of the ring,

runs along the fubdivifion, round the belly of the caterpillar,

and
c.

fmifties

on the other

fide, at

the extremity of a fimilar mufcle

Explanation

of Fig.

2,

Plate

XII.

Preparation.
All the dorfal mufcles, thirty-five in number, were taken out,
as well as the feven lateral ones

which have been defcribed

in

the

preceding

figure.

All the
as the

{trait

mufcles of the belly were alfo taken away, as well

c,

mufcular roots

and the ends of the

divifion.

gaftric mufcles c,

which are

at the third

and fourth

At

the fecond divifion the middle of the mufcle

left

was removed,
it

the extremities only being

to point out

where

was

inferted.

The

3S 6

Microscopical Essays,
tracheal artery

The

was

alio

removed.

Explanation of the first Ring.

We fee fully here the

partly feen in

mufcles

* and

(i)

which were but

g,

the preceding figure,

there.

and the garble mufcles

which were not feen

The

mufcles

* occupy two rings

;

it is

very

difficult to de-

termine their precife number

ten

may be counted
fafcicle,

at the anterior

end, which are collected in one

and

inferted at the fide

of the upper part of the parietal

mufcles
;

fcale,

immediately under the

like a fan,

towards the lower end thefe mufcles fpread

;

and a
laterally

greater

number may be counted they communicate with each other by reciprocal branches, which makes it
determine whether they fhould be confidered as fingle

difficult to

mufcles, or as fo

many

diftinc~r

ones.

The lower
fide
;

extremity of

all

but the two

tails

aft crofs, at

the fuperior line of the fecond ring, the

after

of fimilar mufcles on the oppofite

which, they

are inferted at the fkin

beyond

this line.

There are
firll

five lateral

mufcles

fometimes

fix

they have their

fixture at the fide of the head, their

lower part widens, and

inferted lengthways in the fecond divifion.

The mufcles

of the

firft

ring, as well as the fimilar mufcles

of
as

the nine other rings, are better feen in this

than in Fig.

they are placed over the divifions, they

mufcles.

may be termed

dividing

That of the fecond

divifion has

been feparated to fhew

of the third
divifion

the mufcles underneath.

It is fingle as well as that

Microscopical Essays,
divifion
;

337

that of the fourth

is

double

merous in the fucceeding

divifions,

they appear more nuthough they are, in general,

;

only double, feldom triple, but

much

thicker; thofe of the third

and fourth
and

divifion pafs over the tracheal artery, whilft all the

it:

others go under
laft.

we

find

them

at all the divifions

but the

firfl;

Second Ring.
The
dorfal mufcles are fufficiently feen in this ring, to enable

the obferver to form fome idea concerning them.

C is

the only one which

is

fairly

expofed

it

has

it's

poflerior

tnfertion at the third divifion, near the intermediate fuperior line,

from whence advancing obliquely

becomes forked, one branch paffes under the dividing mufcle, and is fixed to the kin, from whence it again proceeds, and forms the fine long mufcle oc
it
firfl:

of the

ring.

The

other branch

is

fixed to the fkin, near the

lateral line,

under the mufcle y of die fecond ring.

mufcle

When the
we
fee the

and fome of the mufcles

;

C#

are removed,

whole of

the

direction

of

this

mufcle

is

en-

tirely contrary to that

of C.

After taking away D,

we

difcover the mufcle E, which G, but not fo obliquely.

fee the

is'

in-

clined towards the fame fide as taking

By
is

away

E we
:

are enabled to

mufcle F, which

parallel to

thefe three laft mufcles

rings
:

are fixed to the divifions

which terminate the

to be defcribed.

the lateral mufcles are not feen fo as

Tt

The

Mi

r-

os-co ptc

al Essays*

The third Ring

Prefents

four dorfal mufcles, C, D, E, F.

is

The

firft
0

dorfaf

mufcle, C,

inferted at the third divifion under the mufcles

fibres,

and

cl

where

it

communicates, by means of fome

;

with the mufcle

f of the fecond ring

from thence

it is

proceeds obliquely towards

fixed at the fourth divifion,.

the intermediate fuperior line, and

As foon
to the

as

is

retrenched, the mufcle

;

is

feen

this

grows-

wider from the anterior extremity

it

lies

in a contrary directions

mufcle C,

and

is

inferted

into the

third

and fourth

divifions.

lies

The mufcle E
not fo obliquely
other
is
;

in the

fame direction
is

as the

mufcle C, but

the lower infertion

at the fourth divifion, the

at the third,

immediately under C-

The
firft

mufcle

is

nearly parallel to D, which joins to it; the

infertion

is vifible,

the other

is

at the fourth divifion, under

the mufcles

and G
mufcles to be defcribed in this ring ?

There are no

lateral

The eight following

There are only two
dorfal mufcles^

Rings*
lateral ones, to

and no

be

defcribed in thefe rings.

\

Microscopical Essays.
Of thefe two
it is

339
altogether feen

mufcles,

is

the only one that

is

very large, and diminifhes gradually in breadth, from ring

laft,

to ring, to the

branching off in fonie places.

is

one of the

ftrait

mufcles of the back, and

is

inferted at the
9.

divifions

of

it's

own

ring,

under the dividing mufcles

Anterior Part of the twelfth Ring.

There are three dorfal mufcles, D, E, F, to be confidered
this part.

in

The
it

mufcle

is

fimilar to

of the preceding
it's

ring, only that

is

terminates at the fubdivifion of

ring,

and

confequently

only half as long.

E is

of the fame length, and

it's

differs

from the mufcle

of the

preceding ring only in

direction.

The mufcle F

is

parallel to

E, and Ihorter

it's

anterior end

does not reach the twelfth divifion.

Posterior Part.
There
fome
is

only one dorfal mufcle here, which

is

failened

by

fhort mufcles to the fubdivifions of the laft ring, traverfing

the mufcles a, and being fixed there, as if defigned to flrengthen

them, and to vary their direction.

It

is

Microscopical Essays.
a
end
is
is

a fingle mufcle
fixed to the

it's

anterior infertion

is vifible,

the other

bottom of the foot of the

laft

leg

it is

ufed

toe

move

the foot.

The
fkin a

anterior part

of the mufefe

/3 is

divided into three or four

heads, which crofs the fuperior line obliquely, and are fixed to the
little

above

it.

The

other end

is

fattened to the

mem-

brane T

An Explanation
or an Account

of Figures 3 and 4, of Plate XII, of the Muscles of this Caterpillar:

the.

when

it

is

opened at

back,
Fig* 3.

Preparation for
The

mufcles were not only difengaged from all extraneous

it

matter, as before, but as

reprefents the third figure of

caterpillar's

Mr~

Lyonet, on the mufcles of the

back a great many had

appeared,
as define*

been removed before the parts of the

ated in this figure.

infect,

F
Only two
lower
lip,

g,

gaftric mufcles, c d, are feen here

little tails
it
;

is

broad, and!

has three or four

the

firft

fixture

is

at the bafe
is

of the

from whence
inferior

defcends obliquely, and

line.

fixed be-

tween the

and lateral

the

Microscopical Essays.
The little mufcle d
and on the other
and the
lateral line
;

341

is

fattened

on one

fide to thefirftfpiraculum,

fide,
it

little

lower to the intermediate inferior

feems to be the antagonift of P, which

opens the fpiracula*

The
neck

lateral

mufcles

/3 is

^ are very well

feen

in this figure

the

pofterior fixture of I
;

under the mufcle C, near the flan of the

/3 is

fixed a

little

on the other

fide

of C, at the middle of

the ring.

Second Ri n g
Three
galtric mufcles, g, h,
i,

appear here
;

g and h

are fixed

at the folds
fixture there.

which terminate the ring

has only its anterior,

is

triple

in one

of the divifions

it, is

feparated into

two

parts.

approaches more the inferior

line,

and

is

fixed a

little

beyond

the middle of the ring, where the fimilar mufcle on the oppofite
fide
is

forked to receive it

Third Ring.
h,

which was

triple
is

in,

the preceding ring,

is

is

double here
;

that part

which

nearer! the inferior line

vifible.

the broadeft

it

has

three

tails,

of which only two are

The

342

Microscopical Essays.
mufcle
i

The
and
fide
is

is

exactly fimilar to that of the preceding ring,

eroded in the fame manner by the mufcle from the oppouic

ring.

of the

The eight following

The
of the
lower
rings

Rings.

mufcle

f,

in all thefe rings,

is

is

very broad and ftrong

the anterior fixture

firft

at the intermediate inferior line,

;

on the

fold

divifion of the ring

the other fixture

is

beyond the

divifion,

with
is

this difference, that at

the loth and

;

nth

the fixture
it

at the laft fold

of

it's

ring

whereas in the

others
ring.

paffes over,

and

is

inferted in the (kin of the following

extremity of g is fattened to the fold which feparates the ring from the preceding one, and is parallel In
all

thefe rings the

firft

to

% and placed

at the fide

of it.

The fix firft, g, are forked that of the fourth ring is very much fo it does not unite till it is near it's anterior infertion. The longeft tail lays hold of the following, and is inferted near
;
;

the inferior line

the other inferts itfelf near the fame line, at

about the middle of it's

own

ring.

The two

laft,

g,

do not branch

out,

but terminate at the

di-

vifions without reaching the following ring.

The mufcle h
direction,

is

placed at the fide of

f,

has nearly the fame

and

finifhes at the folds

of the

ring.

Ante

Microscopical Essays;.
Anterior Part
The
and
is

343

of the
here
is

twelfth Ring.
e
it
;

on]y gaftric mufcle

;

left

it is

placed on the inter-

mediate inferior line

in

it's

dire&ion

feparates
divifion,

from

it's

lateral^

inferted at the folds of the

upper

and

at the fub-

divifion of this ring.

Lower Part
c
is

of the twelfth Ring.

one placed under

a large mufcle, with feveral divifions

is

(b) of the preceding figure, one extremity

line, at the fubdivifion
little

fixed near the lateral

fcecal bag,
a.

of it's ring, the other to the

lower than the mufcle b.

Explanation of

Fig. 4,

Plate XIL

All the gaftric mufcles defcribed in the preceding figure dis-

appear in
letters are

this,

as well as

all

thofe lateral

and

dorfal ones

whofe

not found in

this figure.

First Ring,
e f g are the
e
gaftric mufcles,

which are beft feen here.

under and
is

is

narrow and long

is

it

pafles

crofles

f,

one of

it's,

infertions

at the

lower

line,

the other

at the

lateral,

between

the fpiraculum and the neck,

f is

344
f
is

Micro scop re al Essays.

fhort, broad,

and nearly
it

{trait,

placed along the interme;

diate line, but

between

and the

fixed to the fold of the fkin

lateral it paffes under e, and is which goes from one leg to the other

the lower infertion

is

near the fecond divifion.

There are fometimes three mufcles

lower
tion
is

g,

and fometimes four

;

their

fixture

is

about the middle of the ring of the fkin, near the neck.

the anterior infer-

at the fold

The

mufcles
is

and h are

alfo fixed to the

fame fold

the other

end of h

fixed under the mufcle Yl, near the fpiraculum.

Above

the upper end of

f,

a mufcular packet g, formed by the

reparation of

two

floating mufcles,

may be

feen

though only im-

perfectly, as they

were injured by the

diffeclioa.

Second Ring.
Six gaflric mufcles,
diftinguiihed in
k,
1,

m,

n, o, p,

may be

pretty well

this ring.

is

a large oblique mufcle, with three or four

it's

di virions,

placed

at the anterior part of

inferior line
divifion,

ring

the head of

it is

fixed between the

and

it's

intermediate one, at the fold of the fecond

it

from whence
it

erodes the inferior

left

line,

and
line.

it's

fimilar

mufcle

terminates to the right and

of this

1 is

a narrow mufcle, whofe head

tail

is

fixed to the fold

n,

of the

fecond divifion, the

of

it lies

under

and

is

faflened to the

edge of the fkin that forms the cavity for the

leg.

m, two

Microscopical Essays.
m, two
inferted in the (kin,
fibres,

345

mufcles of the fame obliquity, placed one on the other;

it
is

the head of

under the mufcle

tail

/3,

and

communicates, by a bed of
the other end
is

with the

of the mufcle 7;

fixed to the intermediate inferior line, at the fold

of the third

divifion.

is

large

and broad

it

covers the lower edge of the cavity of

tail

the limb, and the extremity of the

of 1

the

firft

fixture

is

at

the fkin, near the intermediate line,

from whence

it

goes in a

perpendicular direction towards m, and introduces

itfelf

under

o and m, where
o

it is

fixed.

is

narrow and bent, and covers a

;

little

the edge of the cavity

of the leg

one end terminating

there, the other

end

finifhes at

the third divifion near m.

is

alfo f;ent
;

it

runs near the anterior edge of the cavity of

o,

the leg

one end meets the head of

the other end terminates

at a raifed fold, near the inferior line.

On

the fide of the lateral mufcle

o there
it is

is

a triangular mufcle,

fimilar to

qof the

following ring;

entirely concealed in this

by the mufcle m.

Third Ring.
This ring has no mufcle, fimilar to
rn

of the preceding

ring.

Uu

k only

246

Microscopical Essays.

k only differs from the mufcle of the fecond ring, in that it is* crofted by the oppofite mufcle, whereas k croffes.the. oppofite
mufcle.

As

the mufcles

1,

n, o,

p,

of this ring are fimilar to thofe of

the preceding one, they need not be defcribed.

is

a triangular mufcle
it's

the bafe
fide

of

it

is

fattened to the laft

thfc*

fold of

ring,

on the lower

it is

fixed to the mufcle o,

fummit

to the Ikin at the edge of the cavity for the leg.

The eight following

Rings,,

We difcover here the

The
mufcle
i

gaftric mufcles,

i,

R,

Y,

m>.

is

quite
;

ftrait,

and

is

placed at a

little

diflance-

from the inferior line

but
divided into

it is

broad at the fourth ring, but diminifhes

It is

gradually in breadth to the eleventh.

is

united at the fourth*

two heads, which

f
in the

divaricate in the^ following

rings.

In the fix next rings thefe heads are fixed nearly at the
;

fame place with a and

fold of the ring.

other

two

it

terminates
firft

at

the

The

anterior infertion of the

;

and

laft is at
is

the fold, where the ring begins

that of the

fix others

fme*

what lower, under the place where the mufcle % which precedes
them,
finifhes.

k
1
j

is

an oblique mufcle, whofe lower infertion

is

at the ikin

near

the other at the intermediate inferior,

it is

upon the

fold

which

feparates the following ring;

miffing in the eleventh ring.

is-

Microscopical Essays.
1 is

347
in

a large mufcle which co-operates with

is
;

opening and

{hutting the fpiraculum, one of it's fixtures

inferior line, at about the

near the intermediate

the
tail finifhes

fame height as

little

lower than the fpiraculum.

Twelfth
There remains here only the
cle

Ring.
mufcle
firft

gaflric
;

d,

which

is

fafciis

of

fix,

feven, or eight mufcles

the

fixture

of thefe
;

at

the fubdivifion of the ring, near the inferior line

crofs this,
site fide.

one or two

and

at the

fame time the

is

fimilar mufcles of the

;

oppo-

Their fixture

at the

bottom of the foot

in lays hold of.

their func-

tion is to concur with the mufcle a,

bringing back the foot,

and loofen the claw from what

it

We

perceive here the mufcle a

foot,

one of

it's

infertions

is

at the

bottom of the

near d; the other extremity near the fub-

divifion of the ring.

Explanation
The
5 and
lines.

of Fig. 5

and

6,

Plate
is

XII.

anatomical delineation of the head, which

given at Fig.

6,

fhould be cOnfidered as confifting of two figures, which

join in the middle, being terminated by the inferior

It will

be impoffible in this place to give

and fu peri or more than a very

figures, as

loofe idea of the

head of the
necefiary to

caterpillar in thefe

two

M.

Lyonet found

it

employ twenty,
this part.

in order to diiplay
will,

properly the organization of

iufficient to give

Thefe

however, be

feme idea of it
it

to thole

who
to

cannot procure or

read the work

itfelf;

may

alfo ferve

ftimulate thofe

who
hav*

u 2

^48
have
leifure to

Microscopical Essays.
extend further the anatomy of
their's

infects

for

it

is

only by a comparifon of

with that of man, that

we can

ever

afcertain their true place in the fcale of creation.

If this

com-

parifon could be accurately difcovered,

the true philofopher

would be

able to trace their final caufe, or rather the originating

fource of their existence, and point out the degree in which they accorded with thofe laws of goodnefs and truth, by which the
univerfe and
all it's

parts are regulated

and governed.
magnified about

The

head, as reprefented in thefe figures,

;

is

three hundred and forty-three tknes

it

is

feparated from the

neck, and difengaged from the

fideration reprefent the head

fat.

The

figures here

under conftate

in the third

and fourth

of ex-

amination,

when

a great

many

parts

had been removed,

in order

to difcover thofe that are here feen.

two palpi. The truncated mufcles D belong to the lower lip, and form a part of it's moving mufcles. K is the two L, the II, the two filk vefTels. ganglions of the neck united. oefophagus. M, the two diffolving vefTels.

H H,

the

J^

nn are the continuation

T V

of four cephalic

arteries.

Fig. 5,

V, and Z, are the ten abductor mufcles of the jaw. T, S S, a k, a Fig. 6, under e e and f f, are feen four occipital mufcles. b, neck nerve of the firft pair belonging to the ganglion of the
;

a branch of this nerve.

Fig.

Microscopical Essays.
Fig.
Is
7,

349

Plate XLL

an outline of the head, magnified considerably more than in

exhibiting the nerves as leen from the under part.

the

laft figures,

Excepting

in two or three nerves

(and the fe
is

maybe eafily known,

fimilar
as a greater

becaufe each nerve of the fame pair

letter),

marked with a

only one nerve of each pair

is

drawn,

number

would have occafioned much confufion.

The

nerves of the

firft

ganglion of the neck are defigned by

capital letters.

The nerves

of the ganglion a of the head are diftinguiflied by

Roman
The

letters.

nerves of the fmall ganglion

by Greek

characters.

Thofe of the

frontal ganglion, except one,

by numbers.

general Idea of the interior Caterpillar.

Having defcribed
fo

Parts

of

the

many of the

parts as to evince the

ama-

zing wonders

that are difplayed in this infect, I proceed to give a

more

particular account of the nature of

fome of thofe

parts.

Of

Micro scop
Of the different Orders

ai E'SS&YSc
which the

of Muscles, by

Caterpillar is enabled to move all the various Parts of the Body.

Thefe mufcles have neither the exterior Form, nor the colour of
thofe of larger animals.

In their natural ftate they are

;

foft,

and

have the appearance of a jelly they are of agreyifh blue, and the
filver-coloured appearance

of the aerial or pulmonary

their fubftance, exhibits

veffels,

which creep over and penetrate

the microfcope a

under

mod

beautiful fpe&acle.
fpirit

When

the caterpillar
lofe their
j

has heen foaked for fome time in

elafticity

of wine, they
firm, opake,

and tranfparency, and become

and white

the aerial veffels difappear.

At

firft

fight they

might be taken

for

tendons, as they are of the fame colour, and poffefs almoft the

fame

luftre.
;

They
the

are

generally

flat,

and of an equal

iize

throughout

middle feldom

differs

either

in

colour, fub-

ftance, or iize,

from the

extremities.

The ends
Tally free

are fixed to the fkin

;

the reft of the mufcle

is

gene;

and floating

feveral of

them branch out confiderably

it is

the branches extend fometimes fo far, that

to difcover whether

not always eafy

they are diftinct and feparate 'mufcles, or

are of a moderate ftrength
fpirit
;

parts of another.

They
in

thofe that

have been foaked

of wine,

when examined by
corifirt

the

mrciofcope, will "be found to be covered with a membrane, which

may

*be

feparated from them,

they then appear to

of

feveral parallel bands,

mufcle.

Thefe,

directed according to the length of the when divided by the afliftance of very fine

needles, appear to be

in the lame direction,

com po fed of frill fmaller fafcicles of fibres-, which, when examined with a very deep
'magnifies

Microscopical Essays.
The
mufcular

35?

magnifier, and in a favourable light, appear twifted like a fmall

cord.
fibres

of the fpider, which are

much
Iafi is

larger
confift

than thofe of the

caterpillar, are

found on examination to
;

of two

fubflances,

one

foft,

and the other hard

it

the

twilled

round the former

fpirally,

and thus gives to

the afore-mentioned

eord L like appearance.

If the mufcles are feparated

by means of very fine

veflels,

needles, in a

drop of fome
fibres,

fluid,

we

find that they are not only

aerial

compofed of
;

membranes, and

but alfo of nerves

and
that

from the drops of oil that may be feen floating on the

they are alfo furnifhed with

fluid,

many uncluous

particles*

The number of mufcles in a caterpillar is very great, exceedingby much thofe of the human body the reader may form fome
;

idea of their quantity, by looking at Fig.

Plate XII.

1*

and

2,

3 and
;

4,

of

They occupy the greater!; part of the head there is an aftonilhing number at the oefophagus, the interlines, &c. the
beds of them, placed one under the other, and ranged with very great fy.mmetry.
fkin
is

as

it

were lined by

different

The number of
diflinguifh
is

mufcles

that our obferver

;

has been able to

truly aflonifliing

he found 228

in the head,
in all

1647

the body,

2066

in the inteftinal tube,

making

404

1.

The spinal marrow,

thofe of
it

and the brain of

the- caterpillar, if
little

they can be faid to have any, feems to have very

relation to

man

in the laft, the brain

is

inclofed in a
is

bony

cavity

occupies the greater! part of the head, and

anfractuous, and'
this in the cater>i]j
-pillar;..

divided into lobes.

f*?,

There

is

nothing iimilar to
"

352
pillar
;

Microscopical Essays.
we
find indeed in the

head of that which we are defcrithe purpofe of the brain, beanfwer to feems which bing, a part caufe the nerves that are difleminated through the head are
derived from
that
it
it
;

but then

this part

is

unprotected, and fo fmall,

;

does not occupy one- fifth part of the head

the furface
:

is

fmooth, and has neither lobes nor any anfra&uoftty

and

if

we

muft

call this

a brain, the caterpillar

may be

faid to

have

thirteen,
line;

as there are twelve

more fuch

parts following

each other in a

they are nearly of the fame

fize

with that in the head, and of the

fame fubftance, and

be difagreeable to
ganglions.

it is

from them that the nerves are diflributed

Left the idea of thirteen brains might

through the whole <body.

his readers,

M. Lyonet

has called thele parts

The

fpinal

back, inclofed in a

marrow in the human fpecies defeends down the bony cafe is large with refpeft to it's length,
;

and not divided

portion as
the fpinal
tube,
is it is

into branches, diminilhing

in thicknefs in pro-

removed

further from the brain.

In the caterpillar,

marrow goes along

the belly,

is

not inclofed in any

is

very fmall, forks out at intervals, and

nearly of the

fame thicknefs throughout, except

at the ganglions.

For a de-

fcription of the innumerable vefiels,

parts,

and curious texture of thefe

Lyonet's work.
is

we muft

refer the reader to

M.

The

fub-

ftance of the fpinal

marrow, and of the ganglions,

not near fo

tender and eafily feparated as in

man

it

has a very great degree

of tenacity, and does not break without confiderable tenfion.

The

fubftance of the ganglions differs from that of the fpinal marrow,

as

no

vefiels

can be di [covered in the

latter,

whereas the former

of the
fingle

are
,

full

of very' delicate ones.

The

patient anatomift

'caterpillar has counted forty-five pair of nerves,

and two

ones

Microscopical Essays,
ones
;

<^S3

fo that there are ninety -four

principal

nerves,

whofe

ramifications are innumerable.

The tracheal arteries of

aerial velTels that creep

the caterpillar are two large

(kin, clofe to the fpiracula,
left,

under the
infect,
air,

one
they

at the right fide

of the

the other at the

each of them
;

communicating with the

by means of nine

fpiracula
firft

are nearly as long as the body, beginning at the

fpiraculum,

and going a

little

farther than the

laft,

terminating in fome

branches, which extend to the extremities of the body.

Round about each

great

fpiraculum the tracheal artery puflies forth a

are again divided into final ler

number of branches, which

caterpillar.

ones, which further fubdivide, and fpread through the whole

body of the

The
open

tracheal artery, and

it's

numerous ramifkations, are

all

elaftic veffels,

which may be p relied

clofe together, or

drawn out when the

considerably, but return immediately to their ufual fize

tenfion ceafes.

They

are naturally of a filver colour,

in the microfcope.

and have a very beautiful appearance

This
vefl'el

compofed of three which may be feparated one from the other. The exterior covering is a thick membrane, furnifhed with a great number of
it's

and

principal branches are

coats,

fibres,

nicating with each other

which defcribe a vaft variety of cir cles round by numerous {hoots.

very thin and tranfparent
it,

it,

commu-

The fecond

is

no particular

veffel

Is diftinguifhed in

The

third

is

compofed of

fcaly threads,

Ww

which

354

Microscopical Essays.
in a fpiral form,

which are generally turned

each
curioufly united with the

and come

fo

neat

other as fcarce to leave any interval; thefe threads are

membrane which occupies

is

the intervals,

and form a tube which

flexure of the veffel.
it's

always open,
are
alfo.

notwithftanding the
other peculiarities in
plates.

There

many

firuclure,

which cannot be well explained without more

The

principal tracheal vefiels branch out into

236 fmaller

ones,,

from which there fpring 1326

different ramifications.

The

part of the caterpillar which naturalifts call the heart,,

it

without being certain that

performs the functions thereof,

is

of a nature very different from that of larger animals. It is. almoft as long as the caterpillar itfelf, lies immediately under the
{kin at the top of the back,

entering into the head,

It is large

and

ter-

minating near the mouth.

laft

and fpacious towards the

rings of the body, and

diminiflies very

much
;

as

it

approaches

the head, from the fourth to the twelfth divifion

it

has on both

fides, at each divifion, an appendage, which partly covers the mufcles of the back but growing narrower as it approaches the
;

lateral line,

forms a number of irregular lozenge-fhaped bodies.

This mufcular tube has been called the heart of the caterpillar ; kind of lymph, which firft, becaufe it is generally filled with a
has been fuppofed to be the blood of the caterpillar
;

fecondly,
tranf-

becaufe in

all caterpillars,

whofe fkin

is

in

fome degree

parent, continual, regular,

and

alternate dilations

and contrac-

beginning at the tions may be perceived along the fuperior line, to the fourth, ring to eleventh ring, and going on from ring

whence

this veffel

has been confidered as a

file

of hearts; but

Microscopical Essays,

oo<j

bee

&M

this vifcera
;

feems to have very

little

relation to the heart of

it,

larger animals

we

find

no

veflel

opening into

to anfwer to

the aorta, or vena cava, &c. Sec.

Near

the eighth divifion are

two white oblong males, that

join the tube of the heart;

they have been called reniform

bodies, becaufe they are fomething fimilar to a kidney in their

fliape.

The

corpus craffum

is,

with refpecl
caterpillar
it,
;

to

volume, the moft conthe

firft

fiderable part of the

whole

it is

and only fubinto

ftance that

is

feen

on opening
all

forming a kind of fheath, which

itfelf

envelopes and covers

the head, enters
part of the
all

the entrails, and introducing

filling

the mufcles of the body,

the greateft

empty
it's

fpaces in the caterpillar.

it is

It is

of a milk-white

colour.
brain.

In

configuration

very fimilar to the

human

When
ventricle,

the different maffes of the corpus craffum which covers

largeft.

the entrails are removed, the

parts are the oefophagus, the

and the large

interlines.

The

oefophagus defcends from the bottom of the mouth to

about the fourth divifion. The anterior part which is in the head is flefhy, narrow, and fixed by different mufcles to the cruftaceous
parts thereof; the lower part,

which

pafies

into the body,

is

is

wider, and forms a kind of

membranaceous bag, which

it is

covered

with very fmall mufcles

near the ftomach

a ftrong nerve,

again narrower,
is

and

is

as it

were bridled by

which

fixed to

it

at

diftant intervals.

WW2

"

356

Microscopical Essays,
ventricle begins

The

little

above the fourth

broad

divifion,

where
;

the oefophagus finifhes, and terminates at the tenth 'divifion

it is

about feven times longer than

it

is

the anterior part,

which

is

the broadeft,

is

generally folded.

The
furface,

folds diminifh

with the bulk, in proportion as

it

ap-

proaches the inteftines.

it is

great quantity of nerves cover the

veffels,

furrounded by a number of aerial

and opens

into a tube,

which M. Lyonet
in ftru&ure

calls

the large interline.

There
a par-

are three of thefe large tubes, each of which differs from the others
fo

much, both

and

character, as to require
;

ticular

name

to diftinguifh

them

though

this is

not the place to

enumerate thefe

characteriftic differences.

As moft
is

caterpillars are

endowed with a power, or

two
out,
veffels

faculty,

of

fpinning, they are provided with

where the fubftanee

in

prepared,

which, when drawn

;

and extended

the

air,

becomes a
veffels,

filken thread

thefe

two

veffels are

termed the

filk

or tubes

in the coffus they are often above three inches

long, and are diftinguifhed into three parts, the anterior, the
termediate, and pofterior.

i%

The
it

coffus has alfo

two other

veffels,

which
it

are fuppofed to prepare

and contain the liquor by which

feeds.

diffblves

the wood on which

Thus have we endea-

voured to give the reader an idea of the wonderful organization of this apparently imperfect animal. Affuredly, the 4000 * mufcles

employed

in the

conftruclion

of the coffus
!

cannot

be

confidered without the deepen: aftonifhment

their admirable co-

ordination and junction with other parts equally numerous,, yet

all

* Lyonet

fur la chenille de fade, p. 584,

Microscopical Essays.
all

357
were
efientially

harmonizing and acting together

as if they

one, naturally lead the mind to confider the nature and perfection of the theatre of creation
;

and

to perceive
this

that

it

is

an

exhibition of the higheft wifdom, and that

wifdom, which in

the minuteft things gives evidence of fuch an immenfe attention,

to order and ufe, has,

great purpofe
to difcover.

no doubt, framed the whole but what that purpofe is, we mail find

for
it

fome

difficult

Though

there

is

no doubt

that even this difficulty

may
as

be re-

moved, when mankind begin to confider the univerfe

one conall-

nected whole, manifefting and reprefenting the action of an

beneficent Creator on his creatures, according to the feveral degrees in

which they are capable of receiving and difplaying

or; in other words,

this

aclion

that this

tranfitory fcene

is

the

ultimate refult of the ftate of purity, or error of thofe intelligences

which

act thereon.

But

it

would lead us too

far

from the

fubject

in hand, to enter into a difcuffion of this truly interelling fubjecl:.

We

muftj therefore, content ourfelves with

;

recommending the

reader to ftudy nature

with the fcriptures in his hand, he

may
com-

be allured that he
with each other
;

will

not only find that they perfectly agree

find,

but he will alfo

upon an
as

attentive

panion of palfages of fcripture with each other, that thofe parts

which he may have hitherto only confidered

defcriptive imagery,

pleafmg

figures,,

and perhaps

as the

fublime and beautiful of

eloquence, have a more diftinct and clofe connection with the

fublime and beautiful of nature
;

that they point out the natural,

anatomical, and phyfical relation of the various parts of animated

nature with man, and of

,

man

with fuperior intelligences.

358
lie

Microscopic ax Essays,
would
find that this

knowledge was not founded upon the

teftimony of a few obfcure paflages, but that every word of the

facred
writings,

when properly compared with

proceeded

others,

will

evince

that they

from the
fathom

infinite

fource of wif~
as furpafs the

dom, and contain fuch

utmoft
laid
effort

treafures

from that fountain,

;

of

human

ability to

and yet that enough is

open to

fatisfy >every real inquirer after truth.

The

following character of

Mr* Lyonet s work, by M. Bonnet,

I

cannot, I think, but prove agreeable to the reader.

the original, as I
force

give

it

in

am

perfuaded

it

would

lofe

much of it's genuine

by a

tranflation.

Je propoferai ici pour modele a tous les anatomiftes, ce celebre fcrutateur de la nature a la fagacite Sc au burin duquel nous

devons

le

merveilleux Traite Anatornique de la chenille

ouvrage

immortel dont nous n'avions pas

8c

meme

foupcoime
fait

la poffibilite,

que je regarde comme la plus belle preuve de

de l'exiftence
plaifir
xiii.

d'une

premiere cause intelligente.

"

Avec quel
a.

Sc
la

quel ettonnement ne lit-on point ces mots

la

page

de

Preface

Comme je ne me

fuis

propofe de publier qu'un fimple

ici

" Traite d'Anatomie, l'on ne doit pas s'attendre a trouver

" grand details phyfiologiques
ec
;

de

cette partie,
il

fi

pleine d'incer*

titudes,

pour

etre expofee

comme

faut, auroit
j'ai
;

exige nombre
les
eft

c<

d'experiences,

que

la

repugnance que

a faire fouffrir

" animaux, ne
(!

ma
loin,

pas permis de tenter

repugnance, qui

meme
ait

alle

fi

que

j'ai

ufe de la plus grande epargne par

" rapport a mes

"

fujets,

& que je ne crois point que tout ce traite

Encore
ai-je
<f

coute la vie a plus de huit ou neuf chenilles.

eu

"PLATE 531

M icroscopical
eu toujours ouvrir." Si
terdifoit
=

Essays.
l'eau avant

359
que de
il

foin

de

les

noyer dans de

les

Gelon

ftipuloit

pour l'humanite.*
les
il

Quand

in-

aux Carthaginois
ftipuloit

vaincus,

facrifices

humains
les

Lyonet

pour Fanimalite quand

en
fe

tracoit ainfi

de-

voirs de l'anatomifte,

peignant

fi

naivement lui-meme.

Description, of Fig.

i,

Plate XIIL

Of the
This
is
a:

Lepas* Anatifera,

or Barnacle.
lliell-fifh
is

very peculiar fpecies of

the fhell
cafe,

is

not

eompofed of two pieces, or valves, as

five
;

the ufual
to

but of
affixed

two of thefe are larger than the

{mailer ones; the fifth piece
is

reft,

which are

two

long, (lender,

and crooked,,

running down lengthways,, and covering the joinings of the other It is a tender and brittle fhell-filh, in length about an pieces.
inch,
it's

diameter about three quarters of an inch.

;

The

{hell

part

is

of a pale red^ variegated with white

affixed: to

it

adheres to a neck,

or pedicle, of an inch long, and about a

fifth

of an inch

in*

diameter; by which means

it

is

old wood, to {tones,

and
It

fea plants, or

any other
this

folid fubftanee that lies

under water.
a:

can fhorten or extend

neck

at pleafure,

which refembles
;

fmall gut,

and

is

ufually full of a glarious liquor

it is

eompofed

f two membranes, an external one, hard and brown, an internal, The larger portions of the one, foft, and of an orange colour.
(hell

open and {hut

in the

manner of the bivalves; the

others,

leing moveable by means of their membranous

attachments, give

way/
*

Montesquieu,

Efprit des Loix.

MlC R OSCOPICAL ESS AYS,

way
the
to the
in

opening of

thefe,
It

fifh,

any

direction.

and to the motions of the body of is furnifhed with a clutter of filafide,

ments, placed in a row on each

ber.

fometimes fourteen in numit's

-They

are a kind of arms, appropriated for catching

prey, and therefore placed fo as to furround the

-animal,

mouth of the
eafily

which

is

fituated

between them, and confequently

it.

receives

what they

thruft tow, rds

By

the motion of thefe

arms, which

may be

exerted in fuch a manner, as to play either

(hell, it

within or without the cavity of the

water,

forms a current of
Fig.
1,

which brings with

it

the prey they feed upon.

Plate XIII. reprefents two of thefe arms, or horns, as feen with

the microfcope.

Fig. 2 reprefents the natural fize

of thofe from
feveral

which
joints,

thefe drawings

were made.
is

Each horn con lifts of

on the concave
arms,
fide

and each joint

furnifhed
hairs.
;

of the arm

with a

brum of long

The

microfcope, feem rather opake

parent,

but they
object,

when viewed in the may be rendered transfibres,

and form a moft beautiful

the interior cavity a bundle of longitudinal

by extracting out of which runs the

whole length of the arm.

ufe of thefe

Mr. Needham * thinks the motion and

nature of that rotatory motion,

arms

illuftrates the

which fome
animal.

writers liave thought they difcovered in the

wheel

In the midfl of the arms

is

a hollow trunk,

confining of a

jointed hairy tube, which inclofes,a long round tongue, that the

animal can pufh occafionally out of the tube or fheath, and retract at pleafure.

The mouth of
lamina?,

this

animal

is

fingular in

it's

kind, confining of fix

which go

off with a bend, in-

dented
Needham's Microfcopical Obfervations,

Microscopical Essays.

361

dented like a faw on the convex edge, and by their circular

difpofition are fo ranged, that the teeth in the alternate elevation

and depreffion of each plate

between them.

aft

againft whatever intervenes

The

plates are placed together in fuch a

manner,

that to the naked eye they

form an aperture not much unlike the

mouth of

a contracted purfe.

The
Britifh

weftern

ifles

of Scotland, and fome other parts of the

dominions, are abundantly ftored, at certain times of the

year, with a bird of the goofe kind,

commonly known

in thofe

places

by the name of the brent goofe, or barnacle.

Thefe

birds rarely breed with us, but feek for their fitting feafon iflands
lefs

frequented than thofe where

we

find

them

in

common.

The

feeing the birds fo frequent, and yet never finding any of their
nefts,

induced ignorant people to believe they never had any, and

that they were not bred like other birds.

About

the very mores where thefe birds are

is

mo ft common,
The
affixed

the

lepas anatifera

alfo

found

in great

abundance.
[hells

fifhermen,
to

who
by
it

obferved great quantities of thefe

trees, that

rotten

wood, or dead

were floating in the water, or lodged

on the more, were foon led to imagine that the filamentous fubftances which hung out of them refembled feathers, and perout,

fuaded themfelves that the gee fe, whole origin they could before

by no means make
that the (hells

were bred from them,

It

in (lead

of being

hatched, like other birds, from eggs.*

was afterwards affirmed, themfelves originally grew on the trees, in the

fruit
:

manner of their

and from

this a role

the opinion that the

barnacle, or brent goofe, was the produce of a tree.

Xx
* Hill's Natural Hiftory of -Animals.

Of

r.c

ros

opical Essays.
and
4,

Oe the Proboscis
The more we
form anddefign.
apparatus

or the Bee, Fig. 3

Plate

XIIF.

penetrate into the hidden recefles and internal

parts of nature, the

more we

find

it
is

marked with

perfection in
in the little

This pofition

fo clearly

proved

we

are

now

about to deferibe, that

Swammerdam,*

[peaking of

it,

fays,

that

he cannot

refrain

from confeffing, to

the glory of the immenfe and incomprehenhble Architect, that he had but very imperfectly deferibed and reprefented this little

apparatus

for to reprefent
it is,

it

to the

life

in

it's

full perfection,

as

truly molt perfect

far

exceeds the utmoft

efforts

of humaxu

knowledge..

Soon

as the

matin glory gilds the

virtuofi rife
!

fides,.

Behold the

little

Blithe for the talk, they, preen their early wing;

And

forth to each appointed labour fpring.

boon exhales the morning fleam, And glows and opens to the welcome beam The vivid tribes amid the fragrance fly,

Now nature

And

ev'ry art,

and

ev'ry bufinefs ply.

his fubjtle

Each chymift now

trunk unfheathes,
;

Where from
Here
fip

the flower the treafur'd .odour breathes

felect. the-

the liquid, there

the

And o'er
Still

bloom with

quiv'ring

gum* membrane
lie

hum,:

with judicious fcrutiny they pry,

the prime e ffential juices
;

Where lodg'd
Each

Iufcious vegetation

wide explore,
:

Plunder, the fpring of every vital 1 tore

* Swamaierdam's Book, of Nature,

p. ,1955.

Microscopical Essays.
The
By
dainty fuckle, and the fragrant thyme,

chymical reduction, they fublime,

Their fweets with bland attempering fuclion drain,

And curious
And
vital

thro' their neat alembicks drain

Imbib'd reclufe, the pure fecretions glide,

warmth concocls

th'

ambrofial

tide,

Brooke.

By
lecl

the probofcis, or trunk, the bee

it is

not only procures

itfelf

neceflary fubfiftence, but

alio

employed by the animal

to coi-

the honey, which we appropriate to ourfelves as if it was made for us. It may be confidered in a general view -as confirming of feven pieces
is
;

one of
;

thefe,
is

i i,

be,

Fig. 3, Plate XIII.

placed in the middle

this

fuppofed to be pervious, and to

called the probofcis.
Trie,

conflitute

what may be properly

other

fix fmaller parts,

or (heaths, difpofed in three pairs, are placed

on each

fide the former.

They not only

(i i,

aflift it

in extracting

and

gathering the honey from the flowers, but they alfo protect and
ftrengthen
it.

The

probofcis

be)

itfelf is

very curioufly
all
:

divided

the di virions are elegant and regular, and are befet

briftly triangular hairs, diftributed in

round with

an elegant order
at
firfl:

thefe di virions,

though very numerous, appear

articulations.

fight as a

number of different

The two

pieces a a of the exterior (heath

are

of a fubfrance
;

partly between

bone and horn, and partly membranaceous

they

are fet round with hairs, and are furniflied with air velels, are dHtributed through their whole texture
;

which

the upper ends f f

of this (heath appear

to

be a

little

bent, but can be ftraitened

.

by

the bee 'when they are applied to the probofcis

X.

At d d

are

two

x3

artku-

364
articulations,
ally

Microscopical Essays.
by means of which
or rather
the pieces a a

may be

occasion-

bent.
,

The joints

contribute towards bending the probofcis

downwards

underneath,

againft

the head.
e,
:

Thefe
probable

{heaths, together with the

ing, covering,

two

interior ones e

affift

in defend-

and protecting

it

from

injuries

it is

alio

that they forward the defcent of the honey,

bofcis.

by

prefling the pro-

The

parts

k k of

this (heath

have been called by fome

writers

the root.

The two
felf,

parts e e of the interior (heath are placed higher than

;

thofe of the exterior one

they originate at g g on the probofcis itand near that part, or articulation, byvwhieh the bee can upon
;

occafion bend the probofcis

this {heath, therefore,

always moves

with the middle part

{heath being
left

i,

and is

carried forward by- it, the exterior

it's

behind, becaufe

attachments and origin are

below that of the probofcis.

{fracture to thofe of a
part,
a,

The

pieces e e are very fimilar in

only that each of them has on the upper

is

three joints
;

the lower one

much

longer than the other

hairs.

two

they are

all

of them furrounded with fhort

lie

The

fmaller articulated pieces never

ity

clofe to the probofcis,

nor cover

but are only placed near

it,

the two upper joints projecting

outwards, as in this figure, even

when the whole apparatus

were
in the

is

{hut

up

as

much

as poflible.

Swammerdam
by opening the
it
:

thinks thefe joints are of

effential ufe to the bee, acting as it

manner of fingers,
and

and

a {filt the probofcis,

leaves of the flowers,

removing other obstructions from

the mole,

or like the two fore feet of

the earth

by the help of which

it

it

pumes
it's

from the

fides

both ways, that

it's

may be

able with

{harp trunk to fearch for

pieces, or

food more conveniently.

There are two fmaller

{heaths,

<r?<^>.

e ^4dams Mo Fieet StreetJMay 20

Microscopical Essays.
(heaths,

m m,

near the bottom of the probofcis

e.

tliefe

cannot be

well feen without removing the {heath e

The

probofcis

is

partly
is

membranaceous, and partly of a

griflly
it

nature; the lower part

fwell out confiderably,

formed

in fuch

a manner/ that

will

by which means the

internal cavity

may

be prodigioully enlarged, and rendered capable of receiving a very large quantity of native and undigefted honey, and larger
than might be ex peeled from
{hut
it's

fize.

When

the probofcis

is

up and

inactive,

it is

very

four times broader than

it

it is

much flattened, and is three or thick. The edges are always round
part of the trunk has

grows tapering, though very gradually, towards the extremity.

The lower and membranaceous

it,

no

hair

on

but

is

covered with

little

protuberant tranfparent pimples,

that are placed in regular order,

other, refembling the

and

at equal diftances

from each

little rifings

obfervable on the {kin of birds

off.

when

the feathers have been plucked

They

are probably

glandules, and

may have
is

a confiderable {hare in changing or prefwal lowed or taken

is

paring the honey that

up by the

probofcis.

Down the

middle of the probofcis there

it

a tube of a

much harder
;

nature than the fides,

grows gradually fmaller towards the top;

is

at this place the probofcis

very thick

fet

with fmall hairs

fo

whe-

ther they are open tubes, or whether they only ferve as

claws, to keep
it

many

in

it's

proper place while in action, has not been

determined.

The

probofcis terminates
is

a fmall cylinder
;

c,

at the top

of

which there
from

little

globule, or nipple
is

the circumference of

the upper part of this cylinder

it;

befet with hairs,

which

radiate
little

the bee can contract this cylindrical part, and the

membrane,

Micro-sco pre al Essays.

membrane,
in

which the
it

hairs are

fixed, into

much

mialler

compafs, and draw

inwards.

The

probofcis

is

not cylindrical, but rather a kind of convex

;

blade, terminating nearly in a point

trived as to cover
a
little

and the (heaths are

;

fo con-

more than

the upper part of it

fide
is

they are

kind of angular groove, of which the upper

exterior (heaths lap over each other
is

the broadeft.

The

that the outfide of the probofcis

on the upper part, fo protected by a very ftrong

double

cafe, a

covering that was 'unneceflary for the under part

inftrument
it is is

became when this when it is inactive

inufe the (heaths are opened, .but

fo folded that the

under part

is

protected

by the body of the bee. Within fide the exterior (heath, and near the bottom q, are two levers, which are fixed to the end of
the probofcis, and by which
it is

raifed

and lowered.

If aT)ee

is

attentively obferved

when

it

has placed

itfeff
it

upon a
ft,

full-blown flower, the a&ivity and addrefs with which

ufes this

apparatus will be very confpicuous.

It

lengthens the end of

and applies

it

to the bottom of the petals, or leaves, of the flower,

moving

it

continually in ten thoufand different ways, lengthening

it,

and fhorlenmg
to adapt
it

bending and turning

it

in all poffible dire&ions,

flower.

to the

form of the leaves of the

Thefe various
all

movements are executed with a promptitude that furpaffes

=defcription.

Mr. Swammerdam thinks that the honey is, as ft were, pumped or fucked up by the bee through the hole at the end b of the probofcis
;

he does not feem to have difcovered the apertures which

are on the cylindrical part, near the endh..

M.

Reaia-

Ml C R'OS'COP IC AL
M. Reaumur
thinks
it is

ESSA'YS.

gQj

ufed as a tongue to lap up the fluid

1

which is conveyed down between, the fheath to the mouth of the To prove this, he placed a bee in a glafs tube, the infide of Bee. which was rubbed, over with honey, and little pieces- thereof placed in different parts he obferved the trunk lying on the honey,
;

the end thereof being flretched beyond the honeyed heap,; fhe

bends
of this

it

into the

form of a bow, and

inferts the

moil convex part

glafs

bow

into the liquor,

and then rubs the

fide

backwards

and forwards with the fame

of the prohofcis, fo as very foon

it.

to clean thai part of the glafs, to which fhe applies

Ifcis after-

wards conveyed to the throat by the various vermicular motions Thofe-who wilh for a fuller account of this f the probofcis.
curious apparatus, will do well to confult the interefting. memoirs
-

of M. de Reaumur,

who

has, with a

wonderful fagacity,

dis-

covered the principal fprings of this aftonifliing machine. He has there defcribed more than twenty parts of which it is made, and
almoft given a complete anatomy of this
little,

organ.

Like a

workman who
made, he
fitnefs,

takes to pieces

a watch which he himfelf has

lays before us the feveral pieces,

makes

us

remark

their

their adjustment, their ufes, the play

of their fprings,
are to be

pivots,

and

pillars;

for all thefe parts, .and

many more,

found in the probofcis of the bee.

Of, the Wings-

of<

Insects,

The

attentive obferver will find a very pleafmg variety of ohdifferent- infeds.-

jeds in the wings of

The

beauty of their

colours, the delicacy of their ftru&ure, the ait with which they,

are connected to the body, the curious

manner

in

which fome are

folded .up, the admirable texture of their joints, imprefs on the

368 mind a deep

fenfe

Microscopical

Essays.
is

of that wifdom, which

manifefted in fuch

various ways through the whole works of creation.

The
wings.

delicate tranfparent wings

of many

in feels are

covered and

protected by elytra, or cafes, which alfo in fome meafure aft as

Thefe
A
two-fold apparatus mare,

"

Natives of earth, and habitants of air

Like warriors

flride,

opprefs'd with mining mail 3

veil

But
*

furl'd

beneath their filken pennons

fellow reptile

Deceiv'd, our

we

admire,
attire
;

His bright endorfement, and compact

When
And The And
The
ones
;

lo

the latent fprings of motion play,

;

riling lids difclofe the rich inlay

tilfued

wing

it's

folded

membrane

frees,

with blithe quavers fans the gathering breeze.*

exterior cafes are harder

and more opake than the under and often enriched

flutings,

they are generally highly poliihed,

with various colours,

adorned with ornamental

and
moll

fiudded with
curculio

brilliants.

All thefe ornaments are united in the

imperialis

(or

diamond
fcales

beetle),

one

of the

refplendent creatures in nature; the head, the wings, the legs,

&c. are curioufly befet with

vying the ruby,
Brazils,
fa phi re,

of a moft brilliant view, outIt

is

and emerald.
it is

faid, that in

the

from whence they come,

almoft impoffible to look at

them
* Brooke's Univerfal Beauty.
t Fabricius Spec. Inf. 184,

129. -Drury.

Inf

Tab, 33,

Fig. 1.

Micro-scopical Essays,
them on a funny
great
is

day,

when they

are flying in

little

fwarms, fo

the glowing glory of their heightened colours.

The
priated,

ftrength

and hardnefs of the

i

elytra are admirably adapted

to the various purpofes of the

and

at the

they ferve as
cies,

n feels to which they are approfame time that they p rot eel the tender wino-, a fnield to the body the ribs, and other prominen;

on many of them, contribute

to lelfen the fri&ion,

and

diminilh the prelfure to which they are often expofed.

In moil of thefe infecls the under wing

is

longer and larger

than the exterior one, fo that

it is

obliged to be bent and folded

;

up, in or derto lie .under the elytra for this purpofe they are furnilhed with flrong mufcles, and proper articulations, to difplay

and conceal them at pleafure. Fig. 2, Plate XIV. reprefents the wing of the earwig * when unfolded, and of it's natural fize. Fig: 1 reprefents it as exhibited by the omicrofcqpe. We (hall defcribe this more pa rticularly hereafter.

We have
wings of

already treated of thofe decided differences in

the

infecls,
;

which
fo

affift

the natural hiflorian

in

ranging
in

them

into dalles

infinite are the varieties to

be obferveci

this curious

organ, that only to enumerate them would occupy

;

many pages
wonders
tions,

we

muft, therefore, content ourfeives with a few

it

general remarks, leaving

to

fome future writer

to difplay the

that are manifefled in their difpofition, flruclure,

mo-

and ornaments,

In general, the wings are delicate ancl

yet flrong, furnilhed with ribs, or nerves, curioufly inofculated

Yy
Forfkula auricularia,
Lin. Sy ft, Nat.
vol
i,

together.

part 2, 686-s.

Microscopical Essays.
together, fo
as

to

flrengthen and convey nourifhment to the

feveral parts of the wing, while

tions they

by the

diverfity

of

their ramificafortified

add to

it's

beauty

many have

their

wings

with briftly hairs, which they can erect at pleafure,

Fig.
1.

Plate

XV.

The wings of the moth and

is

butterfly are

moftly farinaceous,

being covered with a fine duft, which renders them opake, and
alfo the caufe

of thofe beautiful and variegated colours which

fo richly

adorn them, that

the fhew and

<e

Not

all

mockery of ftate,
of the great

The
Not

little,

low, fine

follies

all

the wealth which eaftern pageants wore*

idolizing worlds adore,

What ftill our

Can

boafl the leaft inimitable grace

Which
Ever

decks profufive

this illuftrious race."

fince the

microfcope was invented,

this duft

has engaged
this

the attention of the microfcopic obferver.

For by

inflrufcales^

ment

it is

found to be a regular affemblage of organized

at the edges, others
ftalk,

of various fhapes and colours, fome long and (lender, fome fhort

and broad, fome notched

/the wing, fee Fig.

fmooth, generally
fixed to

furnifhed with a kind of foot

by which they are

fpecies,

EF

I,

of Plate XVI.

Their fhapes are not

but of thofe on

only very different in

the fame

moths of various

moth fome
;

will

be found to be nearly oval, while others

are triangular

a variety of large flripes, or ribs, are to be disfcales,

covered in thefe

and between
;

thefe larger

ramifications
in general to
rife

minuter lines

may be

feen

the larger ftripes

feem

Microscopical Essays.
rife

37*
or plates,
dip-

from the exterior notches

forae

of thefe
it

fcales,
is

are to be found fo exceedingly (lender, that

not eafy to

criminate

them from

hairs

arrangement of thefe plates,

The regular by the naked eye. and partly covering the one befide,
is

other, as in the tiling of a houfe,

belt feen

by examining the

wing
fcales

in the

opake microfcope.

The

prodigious

number of fmall
infecls,
is

which cover the wings of thefe beautiful

their utility to

a fure

proof of

them, becaufe they are given by him

who makes nothing

in vain.

That the lively and variegated colours which adorn the wings of the moth and butterfly arife from the fmall fcales, or plates,
that are planted therein,
is

very evident from

is

this,

that if they
;

are brufhed off from

it,

the wing

perfectly tranfparent

but

whence
is

this profufion and difference of colour on the fame wing ?

difficult to

a queflion as

refolve as that of Prior,

when he

afks,

"

Why does

one climate and one

foil

endue

The

blufhing

poppy with a crimfon hue,

lilly

Yet leave the

pale,

and tinge the

violet blue ?"J

The

materials of the wings under thefe plates feem to be of a

;

talcy nature

the

wing

is

ftrengthened by feveral nerves, or

fortifies

ribs, which run through it; the largefl

the exterior edge

of the wing, while a fmaller one firengthens the interior edge. When the moth immerges from the chryfalis, the wings are foft

and

thick,

and

if

they are examined at that time, they will be

found to confifl of two membranes, which

may be

raifed up,

and
then

y 2

372

Microscopical Essays.
final I tube..

then feparated, by blowing between them with a

The
As
is

vellels,

or

ribs,

lie

between thefe

fkins.

the wings of the

moth and

butterfly are light, they can flip;

port thernfelves for a long time in the air

their

manner of

flying

ungraceful, mounting and defcending alternately, fo that they

generally

move
;

in a
this

and down
them, as

by

zigzag line, to the right and to the left, up means they often efcape the birds who chace

this

undulating motion difappoints them in their aim-:

hence they often

eonfiderable time.

may

be feen to purfue a butterfly in vain for

a*

Dr.
tions

Hooke * endeavoured to
;

inveftigate the nature of the menable,

of the wings of infecls

and although he was not

from

the experiments he made, to give a fatisfaclory account of them, yet as they

may be

ufefufto

Tome

future inquirer, and* lead him:

I

more
will

readily into the path of truth,

hope an extract therefrom

not prove unacceptable to the reader.

To

invert igate

the

mode

or manner of moving their wings, he confidered with atit

tention thofe fpinning infecls that fufpend, or as

thernfelves, in

were poife
or

one place

in.

the

air,

without
;

rifing or. falling,

even moving backwards or forwards

by looking down on

thefe

he could, by a kind of faint fhadowj perceive the utmoft extremes

of the vibratory motion of their wings
they endeavoured to
legs of a fly
;

the fhadow, while they

were thus fufpended, was not very long, but was lengthened when
fly

forwards.

He

next tried, by fixing the

feather, 'With glue,
fly

wax,

Sec.

upon the top of the ff alk of a and then making it endeavour to

away

he wasthereby.

* Hooke's Micrographia,

p.

172,

/'

Zo.nJon frw&d for &Pu^l^d^y

Adams JWfoJZeefi StreetMay zo

1787.

M rc r o
hereby
able- to

s c-

opical Essays,
From hence he

gjn
collected,

view

it

in

any poll u re.

that the extreme limits of the vibrations were ufually

fomewhat

about the length of the body diftant from each other, often fhorter, and fometimes longer. The foremofl limit was generally
a
little
;

Kelly

above the back, and the hinder one fomewhat beneath the between thefe, to judge by the found,, they feemed to
equal velocity,

move with an

The manner

of their

moving

them, if ajuft idea can be formed by the ihadow of the wing, and. a confideration of it's nature and ftruclure, feemed to be this
:

the

wing being

fuppofecl to

be in the extreme

limit,

it is

then
;

nearly horizontal, the fore part only being a

this fituation the

little
;

depreffed
it

in

wing moves to the lower

limit
1
;

before

arrives

at this, the hinder part begins to

move

fallen

the area of the

it

wing begins

to dip behind,
limit

and

in

that pofture

feems to be

moved to the upper

by
thereto) con fi ft of

back again.

Thefe vibrations (judging

firing

the found, and comparing

them with a
if

tuned in unifon

many hundreds,

not thoufands, in a feeond

faculty of the infect,
is

of time.

The powers of the governing

it's

and

the vivacity of
to a6l with fo

fenfations,

whereby every organ

Simulated

much

velocity and regularity, furpafs our prefent

comprehenfion.

Fig. l, Plate

XV.

is

a reprefentation of the
i,

wing of the hemeThis

robius perl a (Lin. SyfL Nat. vol.

natural
fize.
infec~l

part 2, page 911-2) of the

Fig. 2 reprefents the

fame wing magnified.

elegant

has acquired the

as
:

mortnefs of
days in
it's

it's life,

it

feldom

name of hemerobius from the lives more than two or three

it

fly

Hate

Linnaeus has placed

in his fourth clafs,

among
fting.

thole infecls

which have four tranfparent wings and no The wings are nearly of a length, and exaaly fimilar;
tliey.

374

Microscopical Essays.

they are compofed of delicate fine nerves, regularly and elegantly difpofed, as may be feen in the figure; they are beautifully

adorned with

hairs,
fine

and are

(lightly

tinged with
its

green.

The

body

is

of a

green colour,

and

eyes appear like two

it
is

delicate beads of burnifhed gold,

from whence

by many
eggs on

called the golden eye.

This curious

little infe6l lays

it's

the leaves of the plumb, rofe tree, &c.

white, and each of them fixed to
a

the eggs are fmall and

pedicle, or foot (talk,
leaf,

little

about half an inch long

they ftand off from the

and appear

much

like the fructification

of fome of the modes.

This fmgular

circumftance has been already noticed in page 265 of thefe effays.

The

larva

coccinella,

which proceed from thefe eggs refemble that of the or lady cow, but are much handfomer it feeds like
;

them on
into the

the aphides, or pucerons,

fucking their blood,

it

and

forming itfelf a cafe with their dried bodies, in which

changes
in the

pupa

ftate,

from whence they afterwards immerge

form of the

fly

here defcribed.

Fig. 2, Plate

XIV.
Fig.

reprefents the

wing of the
I,

forficula auricu-

laria, or earwig, (Linn. Syft. Nat. vol.

part

2,

page 686-1) of

the natural
infeft
is

fize.

1,

the fame

wing magnified.

fo

very

common,

yet few people

;

Though this know that they

have wings, and fewer yet have feen them they are of a curious and elegant texture, and wonderful ftrufture. The upper part is
cruftaceous and opake, while the other partis beautifully tranflies nearly It folds up into a very fmall .com pafs, and parent. concealed under the elytra, which are not more than a fixth part

of the wing
fhirt

in fize.

They
;

firft

fold

back the parts

A B,

and then

up the ribs like a fan the ftrong mufcles ufed for this purpofe The ribs are extended are feen at the upper part of the figure. from

Microscopical Essays.

375

from the center to the outer edge, others are extended only from the edge about half way, but they are all united by a kind of
band, at a fmall but equal diftance from the edge
evidently contrived to ftrengthen the wing, and
;

the whole the

facilitate

various motions

thereof.

The earwig

is

a very deftru&ive
fruit,

animal, doing confiderable injury to

carnations,

mod

kinds of wall

to

and other

fine flowers,

&c. and as they only feed in

the night, they efcape the fearch of the gardener.

at

Reeds open

both ends, and placed among fruit trees, are a good trap for them, as they croud into thefe open channels, and may be blown
out into a tub of water.

As they conceal themfelves

in the day-

time, thofe that are curious in flowers place tobacco pipes, lobfters claws,

&c. on the top of their garden

This
infeci differs very little in

flicks, in

order to
it's

catch them.
three different
eggs,

appearance in
fits

ftates.

De Geer

aflerts,

that the female

as a

on her

and broods over the young ones

hen does over her

eggs.

Of the Eyes of
The

Insects.

contraction and formation of the eyes of

infefts

diners

confiderably from that of other animals.

In other creatures the

eyes are moveable, and generally placed one on each fide of the

head, and two are fufficient for

in infecls the eyes are fixed,

all

the purpofes of vifion.

But

and therefore would not ferve to give

directly before

them a view of any- object but what was placed

them.

We

therefore find that they are provided with a

in

number
and
are

of eyes, which

fome

fpecies, as

in the fpider, are fingle,

placed at fome diftance from each other.

But the greater part

vMlC-R OS

COPICAL ESS A TS.

number of very

are furnifhed with a collection of an indefinite

final 1
iiirgle

eyes, placed in

one

common

cafe or focket.

The two
ber of
little

this -congeries
lines,

protuberances on the head, which are formed by of eyes, feem to the naked eye to confift of a numcroffing with great regularity andexactnefs, at

fome from

diftance

from each

other, like the mefhes of a net,

reticular eyes.

whence they have been termed the

libellula are peculiarly well

Thoie of the
fize,

adapted, on account of their

fo

for

Thefe eyes are fmooth and polifhed, that when viewed as an opake
a microfcopie view of this fubjecl.
will,

perfectly

objeft, they

Like fo

ing

objects.

almoft to

many mirrors, reflect the images of all the furroundThe figure of a candle may be feen multiplied infinity on their, furfaces, fhifting it's beam to each eye
it

according to the motion given

by the obferver's hands. Other

animals are obliged to turn their eyes towards any object, but
thefe have eyes ready directed to
fent
itfelf.
it,

on whatever

fide

it

may

pre-

The genus

of cancri have their eyes moveable, but

infects.

ibr the molt part reticulated dike other

Though

the reticulated eyes of

fize

flies

are large, not only in pro-

portion to the

of the creature, butabfolutely and in themfelves

yet thefeveral fmall eyes> of which they are compofed, are re-

markably minute

in

companion of thole of the

have
;

butterfly clafs.

Moft of the
eyes

butterfly -clafs

in

each of their reticulated

fly

many thoufand
in the

fmall ones

but the

ektfs greatly

exceed

them

number of thefe,

as

many of their
and befides

eyes are three times

as large as thoie of the butterfly,

is

that each fmaller eye

vafily

more minute.

Microscopical Essays,
Mr. Hook computed 14,000 hemifpheres Mr. Leeuwenhoeck reckoned 6236 drone
;

377 two eyes of a

in the

in a filk- worm's

two

eyes in
the

3181 two eyes of a common

it's fly

ftate

in each eye
fly.

of a beetle, and 8000 in

The

pearl eyes of the dragon fly

appear with a

common

reading-glafs like
in

fhagrecn,

and Mr.

12,544 lenfes, placed in an hexangular pofition, each lens having fix others

Leeuwenhoeck reckoned

each eye of

this infect

round

it.

He

alfo obferved in the center of

reft,

each lens a minute

tranfparent fpot, brighter than the

fuppofed to be the pupil,

lefs

furrounded with three

circles,

and

in

appearance feven times

than the diameter of the whole

in the

lens.

Mr. Puget counted 17,325

diftinfct

eye of a butterfly, which Malphigi concludes to be

eyes.
all

and feparate
fhewn, that

The Abbe
parts,

Catalan, and others, have fmce

the eminences difcoverable in the cornea of infecls

have the necefTary

and perform the

offices

of an eye.

Leeuwenhoeck difcovered the bundles of optic nerves which ferve and Reaumur fuppofes that thefe fupply the thefe imall lenfes
;

place of

all

that

is

wanted behind the

vifion,

lenfes, for the

organization

of an eye complete for

But

it is

in the

works of

Swammerdam
is

that

we

are enabled to
infects.
fibres,

contemplate the aftonifhing organization of the eyes of

Under each mem, or

broad
at

facet, there

little
it

pyramid of

the bafe, and growing fmaller as

the fame

proceeds inwards.
as

The pyramids have

number of

fides

each eye, and

as there are

there are, therefore, as

many hexagonal pyramids

fmall facets, or eyes, in the infecf.

An
;

innumerable quantity of

pulmonary tubes afcend

fine

thefe fibres

thefe tubes terminate in a

tranfparent [white
is

fibrous

membrane, of
;

convex lhape,
this

which

alfo thick

fet

with pulmonary tubes

under

membrane

Microscopical Essays.
brane
is

another, which
it

but connected with

there
fo
is

more delicate and more by means of pulmonary tubes

is

tranfparent;,
;

under

this

placed a fecond fpecies of

fibres, tranfverfely applied, like

many beams,

to fupport the pyramidal fibres that

are laid

over them.

Each

fide

of the head of a
is

fly,

which

is

cut as

it

were into a

multitude of fmall facets,

creature.

one of the reticulated eyes of the

reticulated eyes to each fly
;

Nature

allots

two of thefe

and

as they

each contain fuch a vaft multitude of fmaller, but

would imagine them to be very fuffieient for all There are, however, certain flies of the occafions of the animal. the ephemera kind which have four of thefe reticulated eyes, two
perfecl eyes, one

of which are placed

extent
;

as

is

ufual in the mufca,

and are but of fmall

the upper part of

the other two have each the appearance of a fort of tur-

ban, and are placed one befide the other

the head.

upon

it

Thefe have fomewhat the figure of a mufhroom, the head of extended a little beyond the ftalk, and the upper convex fur-

face cut into almoft an innumerable quantity of facets.

The firft
as

pair of the reticular eyes of this

flies,

fly,

which are placed

;

thofe of the other

are

in colour

brown

thofe of the

mufhroom form

are of a

very beautiful citron- colour,

and
;

as

tranfparent as the moft pellucid reticular eyes of other

flies

for,

among

the various fpecies,

fome

have thefe eyes

much more
furni fried

tranfparent than others.

with eyes,

is

The fly, thus remarkably produced from a worm of the fame kind
;

with the

common

fpecies of ephemerons

it's

body

is

of a pale yellow,.
andi

Microscopical Essays.
and
it's

379

wings white

the

two

inferior ones

of thefe are fo fmall,

that they are not eafily diftinguilhed.

Among
cies,

the fly clafs thefe reticular eyes are, in different fpe;

of different colours

there are

fome which have them brown,

all

others yellow, others green, and others red, and this in

different fhades of thofe colours.
glofs

the
the

Some of them have

alfo

of metals highly polifhed, others afford us a view of change-

able colours,
fixed

and others have arrangements of

different colours,

and

invariable.

The

eyes of one fpecies of the gad-fly, fo

troublefome to oxen, have (breaks of red, green, and brown,

placed alternately.

One would
eyes, each

imagine, that as every

fly

has two of thefe reticular

eyes, they could

compofed of fuch a multitude of real

;

have no occafion for any more

with more eyes, which

but fo

it

has not appeared to the

fpecies are

great Being that formed them, for

differ

many

furnifhed

both in conflruclion and form from

thofe that are reticulated.

.

The eyes already defcribed are properly called reticular ones * and to avoid confufion, it will be neceffary to defcribe thofe which differ from them by fome determinate name (they are now generally termed the (lemmata) thefe, when examined by the
;

bell

microfcopes,

appear of a perfectly fmooth,

gloffy,
leaf!:

and

polifhed furface, but plain and fimple, without the

appear-

ance of a reticulated texture.

the reticulated eyes, and
diftinclion, the fmaller

They

are alfo

much
called,

fmaller than

may

therefore be

by way of

fmooth

eyes, or the (lemmata.

Z 2

M. De

3 8o

Microscopical Essays.
la

M. De

Hire feems to have been the

firfl

perfon

who

dif-

covered thefe fmooth eyes.

in a triangular form,

He

obferved three of them difpofed

on the back part of the heads of fome of

thefe

little

creatures.

He

foon found that they were tranf-

parent, and

thence naturally judged

them

to

be of the fame

nature of the cornea of our eyes, and really to ferve the fame
office to the creature poflefied

of them.

We

find three of thefe

fmooth eyes placed triangularly on the

back part of the head of vaft

are alio fome of both thefe

numbers of the genera of flies,

;

as

well of the two -winged as of the four-winged kinds

claffes,

but there

in

which they

are wanting,

All the fpecies of gnats, and of tipulae, are without them.

The The

heads of thefe are very fmall in proportion to the bulk of their

body, and are

in

a manner covered by their reticular eyes.

is

want of the fmalr eyes

without having
flies

amply made up by the fize and extent of the larger; but there are fome other kinds which want them,
this

advantage in their place.

with fhort bodies, the gad-flies

Of the two-winged want thefe eyes an4 among

;

the longer bodied and four-winged kinds, the the puceron-eaters (hemerobius).

flies

produced from

Notwithflanding, therefore, that

many

fpecies

of

flies

have

want them, that Mr. De la thefe eyes, there are yet fo many Hire would not have judged thefe to be their only eyes, if he had made experiments on the reticulated ones, in the manner of Mefl'.
that
-

Swammerdam and Reaumur.

eyes of certain
flate
flies

Mr. Swammerdam put upon, the

oil
;

a covering of black, fteeped in

in this
;

random, and feemed to have- no ftrength and wherever they fettled they did not avoid the hand which would
they flew
at

take

Microscopicai, Essays.
take them.

381

M. Reaumur made

reticulated eyes of bees>

hive.

fome experiments upon the which were all taken from the fame
alfo<

He

fpread

upon them a covering of dark-coloured

varnifh,

and fhut them up with fome of their companions which had not been touched, in a large powder-box. At about eight or ten
from the hive from whence they were taken, the cover of the box was taken off; thofe which had their eyes clear immefteps

diately took their flight,

and went to

their

habitation
to-

thofe

whofe eyes were varnifhed made

no hafte

get

out of the
flight,

box

they had fome difficulty to determine themfelves for

greater!,

and the
fides,

number
far.

directed it at random,, and on different

and went not

To
air

oblige
;

fome of them to
to

fly farther,

they were thrown into the

till

they

raifed themfelves vertically

they were

loft,

and not one of them feemed

know

the

way

to its hive.

To know what would happen

he put varnifh upon them,
reticulated eyes,
in the

if

the ftemrnata were covered,

as

fame manner

was done to the

about three or
it's

and

let
;

them
not

like wife at liberty,

four fteps from the hive

one feemed to know

way, or

even feek
fly far,,

it.

They" flew on

all fides

upon

the plants, but did not

-An

infect

is,

I believe,

but when

it is

in

it's

perfect ftate.

never found with both kinds of eyes The moth, for inftance, which

hasfeveral thoufands of eyes in the reticulated form, has only fix

fmall fmooth eyes in the ftate of the caterpillar.

The wonderful

anatomift of the cofius has (hewn, that the eyes of the latter are in the form of a cup, and that the cornea, which is the cover to this

cup,

is

very tranfparent.

He

has been enabled to clifcover a true

optic

382

Microscopical
each of thefe

Essays..

optic nerve, that divides into fix brandies, which are conneclei

with each eye

tube.

is

accompanied with a pulmonary

reti-

This celebrated obferver, in fpeaking lightly of the

culated eyes of the

moth of
is

the coflus, which are in

number
at

22,000, fays, that each

leaft

probably a telefcope,

confining

of three

lenfes.

It is

eafy to fhew with the eye of a

fly,

prepared as we have

already defcribed in page 142, chapter

iv.

and then placed before

the microfcope, tnat each of the portions of thefe reticular eyes

have the power of refracling the

light,

and forming an image of a

candle, or any other objel, at their refpeclive foci.

affirms, that in a great

Mr. Martin

number of obfervations he always found

this fwelling

thatfthe edge of the cornea of each eye was always thicker in the

middle than at the edges, and that

out, or increafe

of thicknefs, was equal on each

fide,

and exaclly oppofite,

is

amounting to a

full

proof that the cornea of an infe&'s eye

really a fyftem of a great

number of exceeding

fmall double

and

equally convex lenfes, of an hexagonal form, " and affording one

of

the moft fixiking inftances of Divine geometry and optics.''

Fig. 3, Plate

XVI.

is

a reprefentation of a fmall portion of the

cornea of the

libellula, as feen

by the microfcope.
parallel lines.
Fig.

The
4
is

fides

of

the hexagons, in fome pofitions of the light, appear of a fine gold

colour,

and divided into three

fize.

the fame

piece of it's natural

Fig. 5, Plate

XVI.

reprefents a piece of the cornea of a

it

IcMer s

eye

in thefe each of the eyes are fet as

were in a fquare frame.

Fig. 6, the ,.
.

fame piece not magnified.

4*

r',.'

[f^rs ,y

*y

fi

Mr.

Microscopical Essays.
Mr. William Andre has (hewn, that
variations
tures
;

33
only

thefe are not the

which are to be found in the eyes of thefe fmall creafor thofe of the monoculus polyphemus are made up of a
fmall tranfparent amber-like cones.

great

number of
Sir

See his

letter to

Jofeph Banks, in the Philofophical TranfacHons,

a (hort extracl from which I (hall proceed to lay before the

reader.,

The monoculus polyphemus,

all

or king crab,

is

a cruftaceous

animal, found in

the feas furrounding the continent of America'

iflands,

and the Weft India

large fize.

and which frequently grows to a very

If the
large eyes

{hell

of the monoculus were divided

in the center of

fairly in half, the:

would be nearly

each piece, and the

fmall ones on the divided edge, near the fore-part of the {hell

The

large eyes are at a great diftance from each other

It will

but

the*

fmall ones are clofe together. large eyes are

appear hereafter that the

fmall tranfparent

made up of a
fo that they

great

number of

amber-like cones, and that the fmall ones are

compofed of one

fuch cone only

may be

divided into eyes with

many

cones, and eyes with a fmgle cone.

The

large eyes,, or thofe

with

many

cones, appear as two tranfparent fpots, about the fize

and nearly of the fhape ef a kidney-bean, the concave edges looking towards each other, and the convex towards the edge of
the fhell.
If they

be examined attentively, we
depreffions,

may

difcern

on

their furface a

number of fmall

which point out the

center of each cone.

The fmall

eyes, or thofe with a fmgle cone,,

look like two fmall tranfparent fpots, not larger than a pin's

head

thefe,

from

their minutenefs, are eafily overlooked.

" The.

Ml
s:

RO SCO PICA L

Es8

VS.

The appearances which have been

defcribed

may be
;

fecn

on

the external fur face of the (hell with the naked eye
to

but in order

proceed to a further inveftigation of the

{hell,

fubjeft, the

cornea

mull be removed from the

fcope with a very ftrong

and applied

to a fingle micro-

light.

"

The internal
is

furface of the large eyes,

fet

examined with; the

microfcope,

found to be thick

with a great number of fmall

the bafes of

Iran fp are nt cones, of an

amber colour,

which Hand

downwards, and
ferver.

their points

upwards next the eye of the obhave an oblique direction, except

The cones
in the

in general

fome

middle of the cornea, about thirty in number, the

is

direction of

which

perpendicular.

"The

center of every cone being the moft tranfparent part, and

that through

which the

light pafles,

on that account the perpenat

dicular or central cones always appear beautifully illuminated

their points.
tain

In a word, they are

all fo

difpofed, as that a cerit

number of them
and tranfmit
it

receive the light from whatever point

to the
is

may

iflue,

immediate organ of

fight,
;

which we

may
not

reafonably fuppofe

placed underneath them

;

the cones are

all

of the fame length

thofe

on the edges of the cornea are

as

the longed, from

whence they gradually diminifh

they ap-

proach the center, where they are not above half the length of
thofe on the edges."

Of

Microscopical Essays.
Of the Insect which is represented at Plate XVII.
This very beautiful and lingular
infect
it

385
Fig.

1,

2, 3,

was

firft

pointed out to

me by
mond.

Mr. Marfham, who had feen

in

the cabinet of infects

belonging to the Queen, in the royal obfervatory at

Rich-

Her

Ma jelly

was pleafed
it,

to permit
this

me

to

have the
engraved.
it

drawing taken from

from which
faw
it

plate was

When
as

Mr. Marfham

firft

at

Richmond, he confidered
in this country.
his

an undefcribed

infect,
it is

and an unique

But he
Syiiema

has fince found that

mentioned by Fabricius, in
genus,

Entomologist, as a
dorfigera
;

new
is

under the name of leucofpis

infefts in

and there

one of the

the cabinet of the

celebrated Linnasus,
F. R. S.

now

in the poffeffion of J. E. Smith,

writers,

M. D.

Sulz,

and other

have

alfo

defcribed

it.

It

appears at

firft

fight like a wafp, to

it

which genus the folded

probably a

wings would have given

a place, had not the remarkable fling,

it

or tube, on the back removed

fpecies

from thence.

It is

between, and uniting the fphex and wafp,

in

fome degree
are black
;

partaking of the characters of both.

The

antennas

and

cylindrical, increafmg in thicknefs towards the extremity

is

the joint neareft the head

is

yellow, the head

is

black, the thorax

line,

alfo black,

and encompaffed round with a yellow

and

fur-

nifhed with a crofs one of the fame colour, near the head.

The

fcuteilum

is

yellow, the

abdomen

bla-jk,

with two yellow bands,

and a fpot of the fame colour on each fide between the bands. A deep black polifhed groove extends down the back, from the thorax to the anus, into which the fling turns and js depofited,
leaving the anus very circular
;

a yellow line

runs

on each

fide

wt

the

3 86
the fling.

Microscopical Essays.
The
the

anus and the whole body,

;

fhallow magnifier, appear pun&uated

thefe points,

when viewed with a when ex-

amined

microfcope, appear hexagonal, as in the plate and in the center of each hexagon a fmall hair is to be feen the
in
;

feet are yellow, the hinder thighs very

alfo

thick

and toothed, and

form a groove for the next joint; they are yellow, with it is found in Italy, Switzerland, France, and Germany. Fig. 1, Plate XVII. mews it very much magnified. Fig.
black fpots
:

is

a fide view of it
fize.

lefs

magnified.

Fig. 3

is

the object of

it's

real

Of the Lobster Insect, delineated Plate XVIII,

This extraordinary
friend,
little

Fig.

and

6,

creature was found

;

by

my

ingenious

Mr. John Adams, of Edmonton he was at the New Inn, Wahham Abbey, where it was fpied by fome labouring men who
were drinking
thought
flection,
it

their porter.

The man who

;

firft

perceived

it

was of an unufual form

it

this

occafioned a nicer in-

and

was fuppofed to be a loufe with unufual long

it

horns

others thought

was a

mite.
friend,

This occafioned a debate,

which drew the attention of my from them

account of
in the third

who

obtained the infect

for further obfervation.

it

Mr. Martin has given fome volume of " The Young Gentleman

and Lady's Philofophy." Mr. Adams favoured me with the infect, that an accurate drawing might betaken from it, which I thought

would be highly
quite

pleafing, not only to the lovers of microfcopic

obfervations, but alfo to

the entomologift.

It

appears to be

diftinct

fpecies

from the

phalangium cancroides of
-

Linnaeus, of

which a good drawing has been given by Hook,

Roefel,

Microscopical Essays.
Roefel, Schaeffer, &c.
it

387

has alfo been defcribed by Scopoli,

Geoffroy,

&c;

not one, however, of thefe defer jptions agrees

the claws are larger and

with the animal under confideration.

more extended,
the

The abdomen of much more

this

is

obtufe,

and

body of the other being nearly orbicular, the clav/s (lender, finifhing almoft in a point, more tranfparent, and of a paler
It is

colour.
fimilar.

very probable that there are feveral fpecies nearly

in
his

Mr. Marfham has two

poffeflion,

one

like the

drawings of Reaumur, the other not to be diftinguifhed from that

which

is

reprefented in Plate XVIII. except that

is

it

wants the
this.
fly,

break, or dent, in the claws, which

fo

confpicuous in

He

found

his firmly fixed

by

it's

claws to the thighs of a large

firft

which he caught on a flower

in Effex the
it

week

in Auguil,
difficulty,

and from which he could not difengage

without great

and

tearing off the

fly's leg,

which he did on a piece of writing

little

paper, and was

much
prey,

furprized to fee the

creature fpring

forwards

full

a quarter of an inch, with great impetuofity, and

it's

again feize

from which he had great trouble to

dif-

engage

it.

Of
The
infect

Fig. 3, 4.

and

5,

Plate XVI II.

which

is

reprefented at Fig. 3, Plate XVIII. was

the

originally

named phyfapus by Mr. de Geer, on account of

feet.

bladders at the

Linnaeus terms

it

trips.

They
have

live

upon
is

plants,

and particularly

in flowers.
5

The one

figured here

the black trips, with white wings

the

the antennas

fix articulations,

body

is

black, the wings whitiih, long

large reticular eyes.

and

hairy, the

head

fmall, with

two
2

The

antenna?

388

Microscopical

Essays,,
and divided'
into
fix

antennas are of an equal fize throughout,

oval pieces, which are articulated together.

The

extremities of

the feet are furnifhed with a membranaceous and flexible bladder*

which

it

can throw out or draw in

at pleafure.

It

places and

prefles this bladder againft the fubftances on which, it is walking, and feems to fix itfelf thereby to them the bladder fometimcs;

appears concave towards the bottom, the concavity, diminishing

in proportion as
it is lefs

prefied.

They have
lafl

four wings, two upper and two under ones

;

thefe-

are with great difficulty perceived

they are fixed

;

to.

the up-

per part of the breaft, laying horizontally

rather pointed towards the edges,, and have

both

of;

them are

a; ftrong.

nerve run-

ning round them, which

extremity.
the infect

is

fet

with a hair fringe, tufted at the

The wings
of the

are reprefented

real fize at Fig. 5.

by They

themfelves

at.

Fig.

4,-

are to be found in

great plenty in the fpring and fummer, in the flowers of the

dandelion, &c.

>e

Fig.

2,

Plate XVIII.
is

This beautiful opake object

fifh.

a piece of the fkin of the

I

lump
refer

For a

full

defcription of this lingular creature,

muff

the reader to Pennant's Britifh Zoology, vol. iv. page 117. There are no fcales on the body, but a greater number of thefe
tubercles,

which are exhibited

is

in this

figure.

When

a good
^

fpecimen

procured,

it

forms a

mod

delightful object for the

fifh

opake microfcope.

It is

probable that the

exudes an un&uous

matter from thefe tubercles.

Fig..

Mic r gscopicae Essay s

Fig. 1, Plate

389
clafs-,

XX.

is

a beautiful infect of the hemiptera

in-

r that kind where the elytra are only

part cruflaceous, and

which do not form a longitudinal future down the back, but fold
over about one-third of their length towards the bottom, where
it is

alfo partly tranfparent.

It is

of the genus cimex, and called

ftriatus

by Linnaeus.

It

cannot boaft a variety of colours, though

:

what

it

has are bright and. elegantly difpofed

the head, probofcis,

and thorax, are black.

fpots, the

The

thorax

is

ornamented with, yellow

middle one large, and occupying almoft one-third of

;

the pofterior part

angular.

the

other two are on each

fide,

and

tri-

The
;

fcutellum has two yellow oblong fpots, pointed at

is

each end
ftriped,

the ground of the elytra

a bright yellow, fpotted and yellow,

and, there
is

with black.

The
parts
;

nerves

are

brilliant triangular fpot

of orange, which unites the cruflaceous

the latter
rings

and membranaceous
feet are

of a

fine red,

and the

brown and clouded. The of the abdomen are black,

is

edged with white;

This pretty
It is
.
'

infect is to

be found

in June,
fize.

upon

the elm-tree.

reprefented at

A of the natural
2.

/
Fig.

Plate XX.

Avery common, though

is

elegant, infed of the coleoptra clafs,

it's

reprefented as feen in the lucernal microfeope, and of

natu-

ral fize at

it

is

called

by Linnaeus chryfomela
It's

afparagi,
is

from

the larva feeding on the leaves of that plant.

figure

oblong,

the antennae black, compofed oftmany joints nearly oval.

head- is a bright but deep blue, th| thorax red

The
fame

and

cylindrical, the

elytra blue, with a yellow margirj| with three fpots of the

colour on each, one at the

united with the margin
;

bafijf-

of an oblong form, and two

the legs Ire black, but the under fide of

the^

Microscopical Essays.
the belly
is

of the fame blue colour with the elytra and head.

animal,

This

little

when viewed by
any notice
;

the

naked eye, fcareely

the

appears

to deferve
it

but

when examined by

microfcope,
have.

is

one of the moft pleaftng opake objects we

This
to feed.

infect

is

found

in June,

on the afparagus

after

it

has run

De Geer

fays, that

it is

very fcarce in Sweden.

Fig. 3,

Plate XX.
is

The

infecl

which comes at prefent under our infpe&ion

of it's figure

peculiarly adapted to fhew the advantages of the microfcope,

which alone
genus.

will difcover the peculiarities

this

is

fo

remarkable, that the naturalifts appear undetermined as to its

Geoffrey formed a

new one

for

it,

under the
;

title

of

notuxus, in which he has been followed by Fabricius

naeus himfelf could not determine at
firft

even Linit,

where

to place

for in

the Fauna Suecica he makes

it

an attelabus, but
it

in the laft edition

it

of the Syftema Naturae he has fixed

as a meloe, calling
difficile

the

meloe monoceros
forte huic
figures of

but

ftill

he adds, " genus

determinatur

proximum."
it,

Both Geoffroy and

Schseffer

have given

but as they had not that kind of microfcope which

would

a flirt

them, their figures are imperfect.

The head is

black, and appears to

be

hid, or buried,
;

under

the thorax, which projects forwards like a horn

the antennae are

compofed of many
yellow.
black.

articulations,

and with the

is

feet are

of a dirty

The hinder part of the thorax The elytra are yellow, with a

reddifh, the fore-part

black longitudinal line

down

Microscopical Essays*
down
the future
;

391

a band of the fame colour near the apex, and alfo a black point near the bafe the whole animal is
there
is
;

curioufly covered with hair.

belliferous plants
;

Geoffroy fays

it

is

found on um-

the one here defcribed was found in

feen at C.

May

the natural fize

is

Fig. 1

and

3, Plate

XIX.

reprefents

two of the

feet

of the

monoculus apus of Linnaeus.

aflift

They

are curioufly contrived to

the animal in fwimming, and form a very beautiful object

for the microfcope.

Fig. 2

and 4 are of the natural

fize.

Of the Scales
The

of Fish.

outfide coverings, or fcales, of

fifties

afford

an immenfe

variety of beautiful objects for the microfcope.

in the molt admirable manner,

are formed and arranged with inconceivable

others nearly

They

beauty and regularity

fome

are of a long fhape,

round, fome fquare, varying in fhape, not only in different fpecies

of fifh, but even confiderably on the fame

fifh

thofe

which

are taken from one part not being entirely fimilar to thofe which
are

taken from another.

Leeuwenhoeck fuppofed each

fcales, laid
ftrata,

fcale to confift

of an

infinity

of
of

one over the other, or more limply of an of which thofe next the body of the fifh are the
ftrata exhibit

infinity
largeft.

Thefe

a fpecimen of very beautiful workmanfhip

when viewed with

the microfcope,

we find them

to

be conftrudred
with

Microscopical Essays.
with

wonderful

art.

In fome fcales

we

difcover a prodigious

number of concentric
other, to be eafily

flutings, too fine, as well as

;

too near each

enumerated

they are probably formed by the

edges of each ftratum,

different ftages

denoting the limits thereof,

fcale.

and the
are

of the growth of the

Thefe

flutings

often traverfed
fcale,

by others
this

that proceed from

the center of the

which

is

feldom in the middle thereof; thefe generally *go

center to the circumference.

in a flrait line

from

Fig. 7, Plate X. reprefents a fcale

fifh

from a

fpecies

of the parrot

of the Weft-Indies, confiderably magnified.

the
fcale.

Fig. 8, the real

fize of

Fig. 9, Plate

X.

is

a fcale of the Tea perch, which

is

found on

the Englifh coaft.

Fig. 10, the

fame

fcale

of the natural

fize.

Fig. 7, Plate

XIX. a

fcale

from the haddock,

fize.

as feen in the

microfcope.

Fig. 8, the

fame of the natural

Fig. g, Plate

XIX.

a fcale from a fpecies of perch from the

Fig. 10, the fcale

Weft-Indies, magnified.

of it's

real fize.

Fig. 11; a fcale

from the

fbal-fifh,
is

delineated as
that

it

appeared

in

the microfcope

the pointed part

which

ftands without

the fkin, as

may be

feen in Fig. 5, which reprefents a piece

Fig.

of

the fkin of the foal, as viewed by the opake microfcope.

and

12, the

fame objecls of their

real fize.

H A T.

Microscopical Essays.

893

C H A

VIL

The Natural History of the Hydra, or Fresh-water

Polype.

rTH

HE

polypes

defcribed

in

this

chapter are frefti-water

clafs

infecls,

of the genus of hydra, in the

of worms, and

order of zoophytes.

When

they are cut or divided into a

little

num-

ber of pieces, the feparated parts in a very

time become fo

many
life

perfect

and

diftinct
tail,

animals

each piece having a power of

its

producing a head, a

and the other organs necefiary for

and

itate.

They
this

are generally

known by
feet,

the

name of polype but

;

as

was thought by many to be improper, becaufe

that, flrittly

fpeaking, they have

no

Linnasus called the genus hydra,

probably from their property of reproducing the parts which are

cut
off,

a circumftance that naturally brings to

mind

the fabulous

{lory of the

Lernean hydra.

Dr. Hill called them biota, on aclife

count of the ftrong principle of

endued.

with which every part

is

Leeuwenhoeck, whofe indefatigable induftry

after fmall infects

in his refearches

permitted very few things to efcape his notice,

difcovered

394
di (covered thefe

Microscopical Essays.
animals, and gave fome account of

Philofophical Tranfaclions for the year 1703.

the fame volume a letter from an

them in the There is alfo in

this fubjeel:.

anonymous hand on

We
till

had, however,

no

regular account of them,

their various

habits, their different {pedes, or of their wonderful properties,

the year 1740,

when they

Trembley, to whofe
for the

affiduity

knowledge of their
*

engaged the attention of Mr,. and obfervations we are indebted; nature and ceconomy,
firft

Before thefe difcoveries of Mr. Trembley, Leibnitz and Boerhaave, by reflections on the various gradations in the fcale of
animated; nature, had endeavoured to prove that there might be
degrees of
life

between the animal and the

plant,

and that animals

might be found which would propagate by flips, like plants, Thefe conjectures were verified by Mr. Trembley, but not in confequence of any preconceived ideas in favour of fuch a fuppofition
;

on the

contrary,,

it

was only by repeated obfervations

prejudices,

that,

he could deftroy his

own

and join thefe wonderful;

beings to the animal kingdom,

Though

natural hiftory

is

fo fruitful in extraordinary facls,

as.

it.

has hitherto produced none fo Angular

the various properties:;

of the different fpecies of the hydra,

to trace the progrefs of this difcovery,.

I {hall

endeavour,
{hall fee

firft,

in

which we

with what, fage caution and accuracy Mr.

naturalifts,

Trembley, and other

examined

this

wonderful pheneceflary,

nomenon, and what accumulated evidence was judged

to ejtablifh the fads..

We

Microscopical Essays.

$95

We

find

Bonnet, that he did not

Mr. Trembley writing in January, 1741, to Mr. know whether he fhould *call the object
his attention a plant or
ft

which then engaged

ftudied
it,
.

an animal.

"

have
in
it

fays he, ever

nee June

Iaft,

and have found

It
is

finking characterises of both plant

aquatic being.

and animal.
it it

little

At

firft
it is

fight every
fenfitive
flips,

one imagines
;

to be a plant

but
it

if it

be a plant,

and ambulant

if

be an animal,
plants."
It

was not
fatisfy

may be propagated by till the month of March,

himfelf as to their nature.

or cuttings, like
in the

many

fame year, that he could

When Mr. Reaumur

believe his eyes
;

faw, for the

firft

time, two' polypes formed

parts,

from one that he had divided into two

and even
after

he could hardly

having repeated the operation an

it

hundred times, and again examined

that the
fisrht

an hundred more, he

fays,

was not become

familiar to him.

The

firft

account the Royal Society received of the furprizing

properties of this in feci, was in a letter from

M. Button

(dated the

18th of July, 1741) to Martin Folkes, Efq. their prefident, acquainting them with the difcovery of a fmall infecl called a polypus,

which

is

found flicking about the

common duck

weed, and
tail,

which, being cut in two, puts forth from the upper part a

and from the lower end a head,

in flea d of one.

fo as to

become two animals

tail,

If

it

be cut into three parts, the midd'emoft puts

fo as

out from one end a head, and from the other a

to be-

come

three diftincl animals,

all

living like the

:

firft,

and performare,

ing the various offices of their fpecies

which obfer various

adds M. Buffon, well averred.

There

896
There
ing than
is

Microscopical Essays,
no phenomenon
that
in
all

natural hiftory

this,

man,

at

pleasure,
life

creative power,

and out of one

it's

more aft oni filmould have a kind of make two, each completely
it's

formed with
complete in

all

apparatus and functions, each with

felf-prefervation,
it

per-

ceptions and powers of motion and

all

each as
existit's,

refpecls as that

from which

derived

it's

ence, and equally

enjoying the humble gratifications

of

nature.*

Mr.

Folkes, in confirmation of the foregoing article,

commuHague,

nicated to the fociety a letter from C. Bentink, Efq. at the

dated September, dcfcribing the infefts difcovered by Mr.

bley,

adding, that

he himfelf had feen them.

In

TremNovember
by any

a letter was read from Dr. Gronovius, of Leyden, giving an

account of a water
author
if this
;

infect,
it,

not yet

known
fix

to or defcribed
is

after defcribing

he adds, " but what

five or

more
in

furprizing,

animal

is

cut into

pieces,

a few hours
r

there will be as

many

animals, exactly fimilar to their parent.'

fo extraordinary, that

The accounts of this animal were

they were

not credited until Profeffors Albinus

and Muffchenbrock were

that

provided with animals, and found

of to be exaclly
true.

all

had been related there-

November
Society, in
t

25, a letter

from Cambridge was read

leflen,

at the

Royal

which the author endeavours to

by reafon, the
fa&s.

prejudices which then

combated the belief of thefe

"

Some
the

of our friends, fays the author,

who

are firmly attached to

general metaphyfical notions they have formerly learned, reafon

ftrongly

* Goldfmith's Hiftory of

the Earth and

Animated Nature,

Microscopical Essays.
ftrongly againft

397
I

the

poffibility

of fuch a
diftruft

fact

but

have myfelf

owned, on other occafions,

acknowledging, that
in nature, that I
tions,
I

my

of the truth, or certainty

I

at lead, of fome of thofe principles, and

mall
fo

have already feen

make no fcruple of many ftrange things

all

am become
in

very diffident of
affirming

general affer-

and very cautious

what may or may not

aftonifhing,

poffibly be.

The moft common

are
all

operations, both of the animal

in themfelves

and vegetable world,

us

and

nothing but daily experience and conftant observation can

fee,

make

without amazement, an animal bring forth another of the

tree bloffom

fame kind, or a
st

and bear leaves and

fruit.

The fame

obfervation and experience

firft

make

it

alfo familiar to

us, that befides the

way of propagating vegetables from

particularly,

their

refpective fruit

and

feed, they are alfo

propagated from cuttings,

cut off

and every one knows that a twig of a willow and only ftuck into the ground,
from which
was taken.
grow, and become as real and perfect a tree
it

does prefently take root and

as

the original one

in the vegetable

Here then we

find

kingdom, quite common, the very thing of which we have an example before us in the animal kingdom, in this new-difeovered
infect.

The

beft philofophers
daffies

have long obferved ftrong anaof beings;

logies

between thefe two

and the more they

that will be bold
life

have penetrated into nature, the more they have extended this
analogy
:

now

in fuch a fcale,
life

who

is

the

man
one

to fay, juft here animal

entirely ends, and here vegetable

farther,
fort

begins?

or, juft fo

far,

and no
fort,

of operation
it's
is

goes; and juft here another

quite different, takes

life

place ?
a thing

or again,

who will

venture to fay,

in every animal

abfolutely different from that

which we dignify by the fame name

in

3q8

.Microscopical Essays.
Thus does
open
the author endeavour to per-

in every vegetable ?"

fuade the prejudiced, and lead them to pay attention to the facts

which were now

confirmed by a

laid

to their view,

and which were further

in

letter

from Mr. Trembley,

January, 1740

which

letter

was ftrengthened by ah extract from the preface to

the fixth volume of Mr. de Reaumur's hiftory of in feels. In March, 1742, Mr. Folkes gave an account of them to the Royal Society, from cbfervations made on feveral polypes which had

by Mr. Trembley from Holland to him. The infecls now began to be known, and were foon found in England, and
been
fent

the experiments that had been

made on them abroad were pub:

lifhed by M. Folkes,* my father, t and Mr. Baker J conviction now became too flrong for argument, and metaphyfical objections

gave way to

facts.

This animal

is

defcribed in the following manner

Hydra.
Animal
lateralibus
bafi fe affigens,

vagum, gelatinofum,
cirrhis

lineare

nudum^
Prolibus

contractile.

Os

terminale,

fetaceis cinclum.

(autumno

ovis) deciduis.

This animal

fixes

itfelf
itfelf,

by

it's

bafe, it
it's

is

gelatinous, linear
It's

naked, can contract

and change

place.

mouth,

which
* Philofophical Tranfa&ions.

+ Micrographia
t

Illuftrata.

Natural Hiftory of the Polype.

of Zoophytes,

$~Ellifs's Nat. Hift.

Lin. Syft. Nat. p. 1320,

Microscopical Essays.
wlilcli
is

399
feelers.
It

at

one end,

is

furrounded by hair, like

it's

fends

forth

it's

autumn
i.

it

young ones from produces eggs from

viridis, tentaculis

fides,

which drop

off;

but in the

it's fide*

Hydra

fubdenis brevioribus.

Green polype, generally with about ten

prefented at Fig. 5, Plate

fhort

arms

it

is

re-

XXL

2.

Hydra

fufca,

tentaculis fubottonis longiflimis.

This polype has very long arms, often eight in number;

reprefented at Plate

it

is

XXI.

Fig. 7.

The arms

are feveral times

longer than the body.

3.

Hydra

grifea, tentaculis fubfeptenis longioribus,

This. polype has

alfo

generally long arms, in

number about
;

feven

it is

of a yellowifh colour, fmall towards the bottom

it is

reprefented at Fig. 6, Plate

XXL,

4.

Hydra

pallens, tentaculis fubfenis mediocribus.

The arms of this polype

and of a moderate length.

are generally

about

fix

in

number,

5.

Hydra hydatula,
i,

tentaculis quaternis obfoletis corpore veftV

cario, Fig.

2, 3, 4,

Plate

XXL
This

400

Microscopical Essays.
-obfolete

This polype has a veficular body, and four

found in the abdomen of iheep, fwine, &c.

arms;

is

6.

Hydra

fientorea, tentaculis ciliaribus -corpore

infundibuli-

formi.

This polype has been called tunnel fhaped

thr

atl

fer>

mounded with a row of hairs

Plate

it

is

reprefented at Fig. 2|

2%

XXII.

7.

Hydra

focialis

mutica torofa rugofa.

Bearded thick and wrinkled,

Fig. 11, Plate

XXL
and Hydra

Of the Hydra

Viridis,

Hydra

Fusca,

Grisea.
Thefe three
the
fpecies of the

hydra having been thofe on which

greater!; number of experiments have been made, and of which we have the belt information, it is of thefe only we fhall

fpeak in the following account, unlefs

thereof to the reader.

we

give particular notice

There are few animals more

as
it

difficult to defcribe

than the hydra,

has fcarce
it's

any thing conftant

;

in

it's

form, varying con-

tinually in

figure

they are often fo befet with young, as to

as
it

appear rarnofe and divaricated, the young ones conftituting

were a part of the parent's body.

Whoever

Microscopical Essays.

401

Whoever has looked with care at the bottom of a wet (hallow ditch, when the water is ftagnant, and the fun has been powerful,, may remember to have feen many little -tranfparent lumps, of a
jelly-like

appearance, about the

fize

of a pea, and flatted on one

fide
fide

the fame appearances are alfo often to be feen

on the under

of the leaves of thofe weeds, or plants, that grow on the furface

;

of the water thefe are the hydra, gathered up into aquitfcentftate,

and feemingly inanimate, becaufe

cited

either undifturbed, or not ex-

by the

calls

of appetite to action.

They

are generally fixed

end there is a round about which the arms are placed as fo large opening,
to
at the other

by one end

some iohd fubllance,

many

rays

round a cent

r,

which center

is

the mouth.

They

are (lender

and

pellucid,

formed of a kind of tender fubhorns of a mail, and can

it
;

ftance, in confidence

fomething

like the

contract the

body

into a very (mall compafs, or extend

to a

confiderable length.

thefe they feize minute

bring them to the

digefted,
it's life

They can do the fame with the arms with worms and various kinds of aquatic in feels, mouth and fwallow them. After the food is
which are employed
reft,

and the

nutritive parts

in fuftaining

are feparated

from the

they reject the remainder by

the mouth.

The

firfl

polype which Mr. Trembley difcovered was one of

the hydra viridis, reprefented at Fig. 5, Plate

generally of a fine green colour.

XXI.
little

Thefe are

The

indications of fpontaneous
creatures

motion were

firft

perceived in the arms of thefe

they can extend or contract, bend and wind them divers ways. Upon the flighted, touch they contract themfelves fo much, as to

appear

little

more than a

grain, of a green fubllance, the

arms
difap-

402
difappeanng
6,

Microscopical Essays.
entirely.

He foon
and

after

found the hydra

grifea, Fig,

and law

it

eat, fwallow,

digeft

worms much

larger than

itfelf.

This difcovery was foon followed by that of the hydra

fufca, Fig. 7, Plate

XXI.

The moll
extremity
I?

general attitudes of thefe bydrae are thofe which are

reprefented in Fig. 5 and 6, Plate

XXL

They

fix
e

the pofterior

againft a plant, or other fubftance, as

c,

f;

b,

and the arms a

being extended in the water.

body There is a
the

fmall difference in the attitudes of the three kinds-

which we are

now

defcribinsr.

The

bodies

of the hydra

viridis,

Fig. 5,

and of the hydras

fufca does

grifea, Fig. 6,

diminilh from the anterior to the pofterior ex-

tremity by an almoft infenfible gradation.

The hydra

not diminifh in the fame gradual manner, but from the anterior
extremity a to the part d, which
is

often two-thirds of the length

;

of their body,

it

is

nearly of an equal fize

from

this

part

it

be-

comes abruptly fmaller, and goes on from thence of a regular

fize to the end.

The number of arms

at

in thefe three kinds are

at

lea ft fix,

and

molt twelve or

thirteen,
grifea.

though eighteen

may

fometimes be found on the hydra

bodies
till

They can

contracl their
;

they are not above one-tenth of an inch in length they can alio ftop at any intermediate degree, either of contraction or extenuon,

from the

greateft to the leaft.

The

fpecies

reprefented at Fig. 5

are generality* about half an

inch long

when ftretched out. Thofe exhibited at Fig. 6 and 7 are about three-fourths of an inch, or one inch, in length, though fome are
to be found at times about an inch

and an half long.

The arms_
;

of the hydra

viridis, Fig. 5, are

feldom longer than their bodies

thofe*

Microscopical Essays.
thofe of Fig.

403

are

7 are generally called it the long-armed polype.

commonly one inch long, while thofe of Fig. about eight inches whence Mr. Trembley has
;

The bulk of the

felves, either

hydras decreafes in proportion as they extend

themfelves, and vice verfa.

They may be made

all

to contract themin

by touching them, or agitating the water

which

they are contained.

They

contract themfelves fo
like-

much when
lump of
altera-

taken out of the water, as to appear only

jelly.

little

They can

contract, or

extend their arms without extending

or contracting the body, or the

tion in the arms
:

body without making any

or they can contract or dilate only fome of the

reft:

arms, independent of the

they can alfo bend their body and

arms
their

in

all

poffible directions.
in general

Thofe reprelented

at Fig. 7,

let

arms

hang down, making

the

different turns

and

re-

turns, often directing

fome of them back again

to the top of the

water.

They can
fet

alfo dilate

body

at

different places,
;

fome-

times at one part, and then again at another

thick

fometimes they are

with folds, which,

if careiefsly

viewed, might be taken

for rings.

They have

a progreffive motion,

which

is

performed by that

power by which they it retch out, contract, and turn themfelves For fuppoie the hydra, or polype, a b, Fig. 16, every way.
plate

XXL

to be fixed by the tail

b,

having the body and arms a

it

extended in the water, in order to advance,

ther,

draws

itfelf

toge-

by bending itfelf io as to bring the head and arms down to the fubftance on which it is to move; to do this, it fixes the
;

head, or the arms, as in Fig. 17

loofens the
tail,

when
2

thefe are well fixed,

as in

it

and draws

it

towards the head,

3

Fig.

18,

which

Microscopical Essays.
which
it

again loofens, and reding on the

It
is
is

tail,

flretches

it

out, as

in Fig. 39.

eafy to fee from this account, that their

manner
and
the
in

of walking

very analogous to that of various

terreftrial

aquatic animals.

They walk very

is

flow, often

Hopping

middle of a
way.

ftep,

turning and winding their body and arms every

Their
:

ftep

fometimes very fmgular, as

b,

in the following

inflance
b,

fuppofe the polype a

Fig. 20, to he fixed

in the water,
it

by the

tail

the

body and arms being extended

thereto as at a, Fig. 21
it

it firft

bends

the fore-part towards the fubflance on which

fixes
it
;

is

moving, and

it

then loofens the lower end,

and

raifes

up perpendicular,
it
it

as in Fig.

22;

now bending
23
;

the

body

to the other fide,

fixes the tail as in Fig.

then loofen*

ing the anterior end,

rifes

up, as in Fig. 24.

They defcend

at

pleafure

to

the bottom of the water, and

afcend again, either by the

fides,

or

upon fome

aquatic plants
it

they often hang from the furface of the water, relling as

;

were

it.

upon the tail at other times they are fufpended by one arm from They walk alfo with eafe upon the furface of the water. If
tail b,

the extremity of the

Fig. 7,
it

be examined with a mag-

nifying ghfe, a fmall part of

will
it

be found to be dry, and above

the furface of the water, and as

were

in a little
it

concave fpace,

of which the

tail

forms the bottom, fo that

feems to be fufpend-

ed on the furface of the water, on the fame principle that a fmall

pin, or needle,
is

made

to fwim.

Hence when
water by which

a polype

means to pafs from the

it

fides

of the

glafs

to the furface of the water,

it

has only to put that part out of the

means

to be fupported,

and give

it

time to dry,
attach themfelves

which
/

it

always does upon thefe occafions,

They

Microscopical Essays,
felves fo firmly

45

by the

tail

to aquatic plants, flones, Sec. as not to

be eafily driven from the place where they have fixed themfelves they often further ftrengthen thefe attachments, by means of one
or two of their arms, which they throw out and
fubfiances as fo
fix to

adjacent

many

anchors.

The mouth of the

of the body, in
arms.

polype, or hydra,

is

fituated at the fore-part

the middle between the (hooting forth of the

The mouth

affumes different appearances, according to

;

the different purpofes of the infect

out,

fometimes

it

is

lengthened

and forms a little conical nipple, as at Fig. 13, Plate XXIII. A; fometimes it appears truncated, as at Fig. 8, Plate XXI at other times the interval between the arms appears clofed,
;

as at Fig. 2

and

12, Plate

Plate XXIII. A.

If

it

is

XXIII. A; or hollow, as at Fig. obferved with a deep magnifier,

11,

in

either of the

two

laft

cafes, a fmall aperture

may be

difcovered.

The mouth of the polype opens

perceived by the naked eye,
light,

into the flomach,

tail;

which

is

kind of bag, or gut, that goes from head to

this

may be
for the

when they

are expofed

to a ftrong
;

or a candle placed on the oppofite fide to the eye

colour of the polype does not deftroy the tranfparency thereof.

The ftomach

will,

however, be better
;

feen,, if

the eye be a {lifted

by a deep magnifier

one of them

is

reprefented as highly
fatisfied

mag-

nified, at Fig. 8, Plate

XXL To

be fully

whether they

were perforated throughout, Mr. Trembley cut one tranlverfely into three parts each piece immediately contracled itfelf, and
;

became very fhort, and being placed in a mallow glafs full of water, and viewed through the microfcope, they were found to be vifibly
perforated.

They

are reprefented as they appear in the micro-

46

Microscopical Essays.

fcope, at Fig. 6, 7, 8, Plate XXIII.

anterior

it's

end

a,

Fig. 8,

of one of thele

mouth was at the parts. The tail was at

piece

the end b of the third part, Fig.

forated,
it

as

this
tail

was

alio
is

per-

plainly appears, that the

of the hydra

open.

The

perforation,
is

which

is

thus continued from one end to the

it

other,

called the ftomach, becaufe

contains and digefts the

aliments.

The
is

Ik in

which

inclofes

the bag,
;

and forms the

ftomach,

the fkin of the polype itfelf

fo that the animal

may

be

faid to confift

of but one fkin, difpofed in the form of a tube,

or gut, open at both ends.

are to be difiinguifhed
nization,
it
;

On

opening the polype, no veffek

it's

and whatever be the nature of

in the fkin.

orga-

muft refide

The

fkin

muft be

fo far organized,

as to

perform

all

the opera-

tions negeflary for the nutrition

and growth of the animal, withit's

out eonfidering thofe that are necefiary for

various motions*
for

Whatever
by

are the

means the Author of nature has employed

are ignorant

thefe purpofes,

we
it

of them. If their fkin

if it

is

examined
each

a microfcope,
little

appears hke ihagreen, or as

;

were cover-

ed with

grains

thefe are

more or

lefs

feparated from
is

other, according to the degree in

which the body

extended or

contracted.

If the lips of a polype

be cut

tranfverfely,

and placed

fo

that

the cut part of the fkin

may

lie

directly before the microfcope,

will

the fkin throughout

it's

whole thicknefs
grains.

be found to confift of

an

infinite

number of thefe
laid

To know

whether the infide

of the ftomach was formed of firmlar grains, feveral of them have been

open and examined by the microfcope

confift

the inte-

rior fun ace

was then found to

of an immenfe number of
them,

'Microscopical Essays,
them, being
and
lefs
.

4*7

as

it

were more fhagreened than the exterior one,

tranfparent.

The

grains are not ftrongly united to each

other, but

may be

feparated without

much

trouble.

Fig. 10,

Plate XXIII. A, reprefents a piece of fkin thus laid open. To examine thefe particulars further, a piece of fkin a, Fig, g, was
laid in a

few drops of water, on a piece of

glafs, before the

it,

mi-

crofcope, and
c d,

fome of the

grains were feparated from

;

as at

by

preffing

them with the point of a pin

in

endeavouring

open them, they fpread themfelves into all parts of the water ? and at aft remained in heaps, as at e and
to
1

If a polype

is

carefully placed before the mierofcope, without

will

wounding

it,

you

feldom be difappointed in feeing fome of

thefe grains detach themfelves-

from the

fuperficies thereof,

and

that even in the moft healthy.

But

if

the grains feparate themfelves in large quantities,

it is

the

fymptom

of a very dangerous diforder

the furface of the polype

thus attached becomes

more and more

irregular,

and

is

no longer
off

well terminated and defined as before.

fides,

The

grains
it

fall

on

all

the

body and arms contract and

it's

dilate,

becomes of a

white mining colour, lofes

form

as at a, Fig. 4, Plate

XXIII.

A, and then diflblving into a heap of grains,

as

at b, Fig. 5.

The progrefs
viridis-..

of this diforder

is

moft

eafily

obferved in the hydra,

A very attentive
is
iil Is

and accurate examination (hews that the fkin

fpecies of

formed of a kind of glarous fubftance, a

gum, which

up the

intervals

between the

grains, in

which they are

lodged, and by which they are attached (though weakly) together.

403
It

Microscopical Essays.
it is

has been already obferved, that

to thefe grains that

alio that
it

it

owes

it's
it's

magreen-like appearance
colour
;

it

is

from them

derives

for

w hen they are feparated from the polype, they

it
;

aie the lame colour with

whereas theglarous matter is without

any diftinguiihing colour.

The

conftruclion of the polype feems

then to be confined to thefe glandular grains, to the vifcous matter,

and the

invifible lib res

which aft upon the giarous

fu I fiance.

The

flruclure of the

that of their body.

When

arms of the polypes are very analogous to they are examined by the microfcope,
is

either in a contracted or dilated ftate, their furface

if the

fhagreened

arm be much
contrary,
it

contracted,

it

appears more fo than the body;

proportion as they are more
at their full extenfion.
is
;

on the

appears

lefs fo in

extended, almofl quite fmooth

when

fo

that in the hydra viridis the appearance of the arms

continually

varying, and thefe variations are

more

fenfible

towards the ex-

tremity of the

arm than

at

it's

origin, as

at Fig. 10, Plate

XXL

but more thinly fcattered, or farther afunder, in the parts further

on, as at Fig. 9, Plate

XXL The

extremity

is

often terminated

by a knob, the

hairs

which are exhibited

in Fig. 9, cannot

be

feen without a very deep magnifier, however they indicate a further degree of organization in this
little

animal.

All animals of this kind have a remarkable attachment to turn

towards the

light,

and
5

this

might naturally induce the inquirer to

carefully foever this fearch has

look for their eyes

but

how

been

purfued, and however excellent the microfcope with which every

part has been examined, yet

no appearance of
of the

this

organ was

found.

Notwithstanding
;

this,

they conflantly turn themfelves

glafs in

towards the light

fo that if that part

which we
placed

PLA.TEXKL,

PLATE 5X1.

Microscopical Essays.
placed them be turned from
to have
it,

409

they will be found the next day

is

removed themfelves

to the fide that

next the

light,

and

the dark fide will be quite depopulated.

Of the Food of the Hydr^:, and their Method of seizing and swallowing their prey.
As the hydra fufca, Fig. 7, PI. XXL has the longed arms, it's manner of feeding, and the different manoeuvres it makes ufe of to feize and manage it's prey, are more remarkable than thofe of the
two other
fpecies
;

it

will be, therefore, this

kind only which will be

principally fpoken of under the prefent head. properly, they

To

view them

mould be placed
is

in a glafs feven or eight inches

deep.

If the

polype

fixed near the top of the glafs, their arms

hang down towards the bottom. This is a very convenient fituation for giving them their food, and to obferve how they manage it.
for the moft part

An
it

hungry polype fpreads

it's

arms

as

a fifherman his nets;

extends them every way, fo that they form a circle of consideris

able extent, every part of which

entirely within the

reach of

expanded pofture it lies in expectation of whatever comes within the verge of this circle is feized by one or another of it's arms. The arms are then contracted till
in this
it's

one of them;
food
;

the prey

is

brought to the mouth, when

are
contracting, and

it

is

foon devoured.
vigorouffy, (to

While the arms

exerted
it

counteract the efforts the animal which

has feized makes in

like the mufcles

order to efcape) they

the

may

be obferved to fwell

of

human body when they

are in a flate of exertion.

The

410

Microscopical Essays.
does not always wait for
follows
?
it.

The polype
and
in a
it

it's

prey,

it

feels
it

for

it,

manner
has
?

It

may be

afked,

how can

do

this

when

no eyes

purpofe

Who

do the glandular grains anfwer this can anfwer the queftion ? what are our own eyes
or,
fize ?

but glandular grains of a larger

If this

mould be the

cafe,

our hydra would again exceed and realize the fables of the ancients,

being an argus entirely compofed of eyes.

are certainly in pofleffion of

Be

this

as

it

may, they

fome fentiment by which

this

they can perceive the approach of their prey, and which renders

them

attentive to all that

may

confirm or deftroy

perception.

When

the arms of a polype are extended, put a millepedes, or

glafs, (fee Fig. 1, PI.
it
;

any kind of worm, into a

XXIV. A) and with

;

the point of a pencil pufh

it

towards one of the arms

the

as

foon

as.

touches this

it is

feized

worm, or
of the

millepedes, endeavours

by quick and

ftrong efforts to difengage

fide

itfelf,

often

fwimming and
This

dragging the arm from one

glafs

to the other.

violent motion of the prey obliges the polype to contract ftrongly

the arm, in doing which

fcrew, as at o
i,

it

often twifts
it

it

in the
it

form of a cork:

by which means

fliortens
it

more rapidly

the

ftruggles of the devoted animal foon bring

in contact with

ano-

ther arm, thefe contracting further, the

little

creature

is

prefently

engaged with
it

all

the arms, which contract fo

a gain ft

much

as

to

convey

to the

mouth,

which

it is

held and fubdued.

When

a polype has nothing to eat,

it

it's

mouth

is

generally

open, but fo fmall that

can fcarce be perceived without the

glafs';

afhftance of a magnifying

but
it

as

foon as the arms have

itfelf
is

conveyed the prey to the mouth,

opens

wider, and this in

;

proportion to the fize of the animal that

to be devoured

the

Microscopical Essays.
lips

411

gradually

dilate,

of the prey.

and adjuft themfelves accurately to the figure The greater! part of the animals on which the
it's

polype

feeds, are to

mouth what an

apple, the fize of our

heads, would be to the

mouth of a man.
the polype are not always
;

The worms, &c. which are feized by

brought to the mouth
to it by one mould open
it

in the

fame

fituation

if

they are prefented

of their extremities,
it's

it is

not requifite that the polype

it

mouth
If
it

confiderably, and in effect

only opens
Fig. 5,

fo wide, as precifely to

give entrance

to the

worm,
it

Plate

XXIV. A.
;

be not too long for the ftomach, be longer, the end which
is

remains
is

there extended
bent, fo that

but

if it

firft
it

enters

when

the

worm

entirely {'wallowed,

may be

feen

lying folded in the ftomach, Fig. 12, Plate

XXIV. B.
to

If the middle, or any other part of the

worm, be prefented

mouth of the polype, it feizes this part with the lips, extending them on both fides, and applying them again ft the worm, fo that the mouth affumes the form of a boat, pointed at each end, Fig. 2, Plate XXIV. A; the polype gradually clofes the two
the
points of
it's

boat-like lips,

and by

this

motion and fuclion

{wallows the worm, Fig. 4, Plate

XXIV. A,
that

A worm
lips fcarce

is

killed fo foon

by a polype,
active

Mr. Fontana thinks

;

they mult contain the

mod

and powerful venom

expires, lb great
is

for

it's

touch the
it

worm

but
it,

it

the energy

of the poifon
in the

conveys into

though no wound

can be obferved

dead animal.

As

412

Microscopical Essays.
is

As foon as the ftomach body is fhortened, Fig. 6,

moft part contracted, the

filled,

it's

capacity

is

enlarged, the

XXIV. A, the arms are for the polype hangs down without motion,
Plate

and appears
extended

to be in a kind of flupor,
;

and very

different

from

it's

fliape

but in proportion as the food

is

digefted,

and

it

has voided the excrementitious parts, the body lengthens, and

gradually recovers

it's

form.

The tranfparency of the polype permits us to fee diftinclly the worm which has been fwallowed, Fig. 12, Plate XXIV. B, which
gradually lofes
it's

form.

It is at

firft

macerated

in the

ftomach

of the polype, and when the nutritious juices are feparated from it, the remainder is difcharged by the mouth, Fig. 13. It is with
thefe as with other voracious animals, as they eat a great deal at

once, fo alfo they can

furnifhes

fa ft for

a long time.
kind.

The

hiftory of infects

many examples of this

is

One circumftance much to the digeftion

ftomach
in
;

obfervable,

which probably contributes

to the other of the

of their food, namely, that the aliments are

continually pufhed back from one extremity

this

motion may be
is

eafily

obferved with a microfcope,

in

a polype which

not too
little

full,

and

which the food has been

it is

already divided into

fragments.

For thefe obfervations,

beft to feed the polype with fuch food as will give a lively-

coloured juice
filled

as for

example, thofe worms whofe

:

inteftines are

with red fubftances

for

by

this

means we

fhall

fee that

the nutritious juices are conveyed not only to the extremity of

the body, but alfo into the arms, from

each of the arms form alfo

with that of the body.

whence it is probable that a kind of gut, which communicates

bits

Some

of a fmall black

fnail,

that

is

frequently

Microscopical Essays.
The

4*3

frequently to be found in our ditches, was given to a polype.

fubftance of this (kin was foon reduced into a pulp, confihV
;

ing of little black fragments

on examining the polype with the

and into
their arms,

microfcope, thefe particles were perceived to be driven about the

ftomach, and to pafs from head to

tail,

even

where thefe were

into the ftomach,

as fine as a thread

they were afterwards forced

tail,

and from thence

to the

from whence they

were again driven into the arms, and

fo on.

The

grains take their tinge

;

from the food which nourifhes the

black, if the polype be fed
5

polypes

thefe grains

become red or

with juices that are either red or black

and they are more or

lefs

tinged with thefe different colours, in proportion to the ftrength

and quantity of the

nutritive juices.
if

It

is

alfo obfervable,

that

they lofe their colour

fed with aliments that are not of the

fame

colour with themfelves.

The

polypes feed on the greater part of thofe infecls that are to

in frefh water.

be found
larva of

They may be

nourilhed with worms, the

gnats, &c. they will

alfo eat larger animals if they are

fifh,

cut into

fmall pieces, as fnails, large aquatic infecls, fraall

butchers meat, &c.

Sometimes two polypes

to fwallow
it's

feize

the fame

own end, continuing fo to meet, in this pofition Fig. 8, Plate XXiV. A do till their mouths they remain for fome time, at laft the worm breaks, and each has
worm, and each begins
;

it's

(hare

fometimes the combat does not end here, for each

prize,

continuing to difpute the

one of the polypes opens

the other with
it's

it's

mouth advantageoufly, and fwallows

the worm, fee Fig. 14, Plate

portion of

XXIV.

this

combat ends more

at
firft

fortunately for the devoured polype than might be

ex-

peeled,

414

Microscopical Essays.
it's

petted, for the other often gets the prey out of

lets
it

ftomach, but
it

above ftomach of the polype, which fo foon diflolves the animal fubftances which are conveyed into it, is not capable of digefting that of another polype.
an hour.

out again found and

fafe,

after

having imprifoned

From hence we

learn, that the

Fig. 5, Plate

XXIV. A,
mouth,

reprefents a polype with one-half of

as at a
;

a,

millipedes in
Fig.
1,

it's

the other part without as at m.

Plate

XXIV. A,
;

reprefents one fufpended in water

by a

piece of packthread
partly towards the

c n, a millipedes feized by
;

it,

and drawn

mouth

io

the bendings in the

in feci.

arm
a

in fearch

of a fmall aquatic
itfelf

Fig,

2,

Plate

p an XXIV. A, a
;

arm

polype ftretching

into a boat-like form, to take or Aval low

Fig. 4, Plate

worm
is

lying fideways.

XXIV. A,
it.

the fame polype

Fig. 6, the

with the
plate

worm

fwallowed and bent within

fame

a polype in the fituation they generally aftume

when they

have

fatisfied their

voracious appetite.
a,

Fig. 7,

one that has fwal-

lowed a fmall monoculus.

with monoculi.
Fig. 3,
Fig. 10,

one whofe arms are loaded full of them from head to tail. a polype
Fig. 9,

one that has only fwallowed a few of them.

paragraph
B.

In

this

I fhall

fpeak of fome of the figures contained

in Plate

XXIV.

Fig, 12, a

worm

feen within the fkin of a

polype.
Fig.
1 1

Fig. 13, difgorging

the excrementitious parts thereof.

reprefents one engaged with a very large

worm.
in

Fig.

8, Plate

XXIV. A,

reprefents

two polypes engaged

combat
part.

for a

worm, of which both of them have fwallowed a

Fig.

Microscopical Essays.
Fig. 12, Plate

41^

XXL

a polype that has {'wallowed a fmall

and taken the fhape

thereof.

Of the Generation
As

of the Hydr.e.

the hydra fufca and the hydra grifea are .confiderably larger
viridis, it
is

than the hydra

more
It

eafy to obferve the

is

manner of
If

their producing their young.

upon

thefe, therefore, that

moil of the observations here recited have been made.

one of

them be examined

in

fummer, when the animals are moft active

and more particularly prepared for propagation, it will be found to burgeon forth from it's fides feveral little tubercles, or knobs,

which grow
infpeclion,

larger

and larger every day

fir ft.

after

two or three days

parent.

what

at

appeared but a fmall excrefcence, takes

it's

the figure of a fmall animal, entirely refembling

When
is

young polype

firft

begins to fhoot, the excrefcence

terminates in a point as at
rather of a conical

e,

Fig. 24, Plate

XXIV.

B, fo that

it

figure,

and of a deeper colour than that of

in

the body.

This cone foon becomes truncated, and

little

time appears cylindrical.

anterior

end

i,

Fig. 24,

The arms then begin to fhoot from the Plate XXIV. B. The tail adheres to
till

the

body

of the parent, but grows gradually fmall er,

for this purpofe the

at laft
is

it

only adheres by a point b, Fig, 23, Plate

XXIV. B;

it

then

ready to be feparated
ones
fix

mother and young

themfelves to the glafs, or other fubftance

upon which

they may be fituated. They have then only to give a hidden There are fome jerk, and they are divided from each other. their performin then and trifling differences to be obferved now ing this operation, which it would be too tedious to enumerate
here,

416
here.
it's

Microscopical Essays.

polype, a
in

b, Fig. 20,

with a young one, c

d,

places
glafs,

body

an arch of a

circle a

d b, againft the

fides

of the
it's

the

young one being

fixed at the top d of the arch, with

;

alfo fixed againft the glafs

fo that the mother,

ftrait,

head by contracting the

body, and thus becoming

one.

loofens herfelf from the

young

ones fhoot in proportion to the warmth of the weaand the nature of the food eaten by the mother fome have been obferved to be perfectly formed in twenty-four hours, while
ther,
;

The young

others have required fifteen days for the fame purpofe

the

firft.

were produced in the midft of fummer, the

feafon.

latter in a

cold

The

tail

of the young polype communicates with and partakes

in the

of the food from the parent

fame manner

as

it's

own arms

do,
this

and the food

fcetus
is

lies

in the

fame manner
it

as in the arms.
it's

When
;

furnifhed with arms,

catches

prey, fwallows, digefts,

and

diftributes the juices thereof,

is

good

common

to each.

nication between the fcetus

even to the parent body every Here then we have evident commuand the mother this communication
;

was further proved by the following experiment.

(one of the hydra fufca) was placed on a
flip

A large polype
little

of paper, in a

water

body of the young one was cut, and the fuperior part of that end which remained fixed to the parent
;

the middle of the

was found to be open.

fide

The

parent polype was then cut on each

of the fhoot.
at

Thus

a fhort cylinder

was obtained, which was

open
light

both ends.

This being viewed through a microfcope, the

fide
flip,

was feen to come through the

or

young one,

into

the flomach of the old one.

For further conviclion, the cylindrical

Microscopical Essays.
cal portion

417
parts,

was cut lengthways

t

;'

on obferving thefe

not

only the hole

of communication, Fig. 17, Plate

XXIV.

B, was

diftinclly feen,

but one might fee through the end o of the

young

one.

On

changing the fituation of thefe two pieces of prepared

e,

polypi, and looking through the opening

light was feen through the hole of

Fig. 18, the dayi.

communication

This communication between the parent polype and

ones,

it's

young
parent,

may be

feen

on feeding them

for

after

the

a b, Fig. 22, Plate XXIV. B, has eaten, the body of the

young

ones fwell, being

filled

with the aliments as if they themfelves had

Plate XXIII. B, but only
is

been

eating.
tail

In the hydra fufca the young ones do not proceed

part b
c, Fig. 16,

from the

from the

no particular part of the body before the reft, on which they produce their young. Some of them have been fo clofely obferved, and have fo greatly multiplied, that there would be fcarce any impropriety in faying they produced their young ones from all the exterior parts of the
part ac, with this exception, there

body.

polype puts forth often

five

or

fix

young ones
off another

at the

fame time.

Mr. Trembley has had fome

that

have produced nine

or ten at the fame time, and

in
it's

when one dropped

came

place.

Though Mr. Trembley had

under his eye,
tention, he never obferved

two years thoufands of them and confidered them with the moll fcrupulous atfor

any thing

like copulation.

To

be

on this head, he took two young ones the inftant from their parent, and placed them in feparate glaffes came they

more

certain

they both multiplied, not only themfelves,

but their offspring,

which were feparated and watched

3

in

the

fame manner

to the

feventh

Microscopical
feventh generation
;

Ess- ay

nay, they have even the faculty of multiply-

ing while they adhere to the parent.

The arms of

the

young

ones do not fprout

till

the

body has

attained fome length,

Several excrefeencies, or buds, often appear at the fame time

on a polype, which are

forth

fb

many polypes growing from one

trunk;

whilft thefe are developing, they alfo bud,

little

which buds again put

ones, the parent

and the young. ones forming a fingulaE

all

kind of animal fociety, in which

participate of the fame

life*

and the fame wants.

thick fet

In this ftate the parent appears like a (hrub?

Several generations, are often thus:
all

with branches.

attached to one another, and

to the parent polype;

is

after a

time, this tree of polypes, or hydras

birth to

decompofed, and gives

new

generations, or frefh genealogical trees.

Here we

fee a furprizing chain of exiftence continued, and

numbers of

animals naturally produced, without any union of fexes.

Fig. iS } Plate XXIII. B, the reader may form an idea of; with which thefe creatures increafe and multiply % promptitude the the whole group formed by the parent and it's young was about

From

an inch and an half long,, and one inch

broach; the

arms of the

mother and her nineteen

little

bottom of the
culi per day,

veffel

the animal would eat about twelve

rather

and the little more than thirty for the groupe.

down towards the monoones about twenty among them, or

ones hanging

Of the Re-production of Polypes*

A polype
parts,
is

cut tranfverfely, or longitudinally, in two or three

little

not deftroyed, each part in a

time becomes

a-

Microscopical Essays.
perfect polype.

This fpecies of fecundity

is

fo great in thefe ani-

mals, that even a fmall portion of their (kin will become a little polype, a new animal riling as it were from the ruins of the old

each fmall fragment yielding a polype.

mutilated while they
;

If the

young ones
in
it

are

grow upon the

parent, the mutilated parts

the fame changes fucceed alfo are re-produced A truncated portion will put forth young before

the parent.
is

perfectly

formed

itfelf,

or has

acquired

it's

new head and

tail;

fome-

times the head of the young one fupplies the place of that which would grow out of the anterior part of the trunk.

If a polype is

flit,

beginning at the head, and proceeding to the

middle of the body, a polype will be formed with two heads, and If the polype is (lit into fix will eat at the fame time with both.

becomes a hydra, with fix or (even heads. If cut off thefe are again divided, we mall have one with fourteen thefe, and as many new ones will fpring up in their place, and
or feven parts,
it
;

the heads thus cut off

will

become new polypes, of which

:

fo

many new
it

hydras

may

again be formed

fo that in every refpecl;

exceeds the fabulous relation of the Lernean hydra.

As

if

the wonders already related of the polype were not fuf-

ficient to

engage our attention to thefe lingular animals, new

circumftances, as furprizing as the foregoing, prefent themfelves

to convince us of the imperfection of our ideas of animality, and

of the greatnefs of the power of our Lord and Saviour,

the fource and origin of every degree of
gradations, as unity
feries,
is

who

is

life,

in all

it's

immenfe
varied

the origin

of number,
;

in all

it's

multiplied proportions and combinations

now

as

numbers

may be confidered

as being recipient of unity, in order to 9

make

manifeii

420

Microscopic al Essays.
itls

manifeft the wonderful powers thereof, fo the univerfe and

parts are adapted to receive
life

from the fource of all

life,

and

thus

become

reprefentatives of his immenfity

and

eternity.

The

polypes

may be

as

it

were grafted together.

are placed

If the trun-

cated portions of a polype

end to end, and then

will

pulhed together with a gentle force, they

a

unite,

and form;
thread,,

fmgle one.

The union
up and

is

at

firft

made by a

fine

and the portions are diftinguilhed by a narrow neck, which

gradually
fills

difappears,

the food

pairing

from onebut

portion to another.

Portions,

not only

of the

fame,

pieces of different polypes,

r

may be

thus united together.

Youi And;

may
that

fix

the head of one polype to the trunk of another.

is

which

thus produced will grow, eat, and multiply like-

another..

There

is

ftill

another method' of uniting thefe animals together^

in its nature,-and lefs

more wonderful
effected

analogous to any knownperform.

It
is,

principles of animation,

and more

difficult to

by introducing one within the

other,

forcing, the body

it

of one into the mouth of the other, and puihing

their

down
it

fo that?

heads

may be brought together

; ;

in this

Hate
laft

mud
firft

be

kept for fome time

the two individuals are at

united, and'
at

grafted into each other

ble,
is

and the pplype, which was

converted into one, with a large quantity

all its

douof arms, and

performs

functions, like another.

The hydra fufca furnifiies us with another prodigy, to which we know nothing that is fimilar, either in the animal or vegetable kingdom. They may be turned infide out like a glove, and
notwith-

Microscopical Essays.

42a

notwithstanding the apparent improbability of the circumftance,

they live and aft as before. The lining, or coating, of the ftomach now forms the epidermis, and the former epidermis now
constitutes

the coating of the ftomach.

it's

polype thus turned

If this
inis

may

often have young ones attached to

fide.

the

eafe r after the operation they are of courfe inclofed

the ftomach.

Thofe which have acquired a

wards the mouth,, that they

certain fize extend themfelves to-

may

get out

when

feparated from the

body

thofe which are but

this

little

and by

means place themfelves

grown turn themfelves infide out, again, on the outfide of the

parent polype..

The polype thus turned, combines itfelf a thoufand different ways.. The fore-part often clofes itfelf, and becomes a fupernumerary tail. The polype which was at firft ftrait, now bends
itfelf,

fa that the
it

two

tails

refemble the legs of a pair of compafTes^

which

can open and

(hut.
;

The
and

old

mouth

is

at the joint as

it

were of the compaffes

it
it,

cannot, however, acl as one, fo that a

in a little

new one

is

formed near

time you have

new

fpecies of

hydra

with, feveral mouths,..

Fig. 18, Plate

XXIII. B, reprefents the upper part of a polype

fomething larger than that of a

that has been divided into two parts, a the upper, c the lower
part, the

end

c being

common
this part

polype, and

is

fenfibly perforated; in the

it is

fummer time

often walks and eats the fame day

cut.

Fig.

17,

the other part of

the fame polype;

it

the anterior

end

is

very open, and the edges of

turned a

little

outwards,

which afterwards folding inwards,

clofe the aperture,

This end
now:

422
4

Microscopical Essays.
appears fwelled, as at
c,

now
this

Fig. 21

the arms fhoot out from

end

at

firft

three or four points only begin to (hoot, as at c,

in fize, others

Fig. 20,
;

and while thefe increafe

appear between

them they can feize their prey, and eat before their arms have done growing. In the* height of fummer, the arms will often begin to moot in twenty-four hours but in cold weather it will
;

be

fifteen or

twenty days before the head

is

formed.

Fig. 22 reprefents a
this

polype that was cut clofe under the arms

little

became

alio

a complete animal in a

time.

The

fides

of a polype, that has been cut longitudinally,

in different
itfelf

roll

themfelves up

ways, generally beginning at one of the

extremities, rolling

up

in

a heap,

as
;

at Fig. 19,
it

Plate
it-

XXIII. B, with the out fide of the fkin inwards

a b and e

foon unrolls

felt and the cut fides form themfelves into a tube, whereof the edges
i,

Fig. 15,

on both

fides,

meet each other and

at

unite.

Sometimes they begin

to join at the tail end,

other times the

fides

whole

fides gradually

approach each other.

The

join

fo

clofe, that

from the

firft.

moment

of their junction no fear can be

difcovered.

Fig. 14, Plate

at
i

XXIII. B, reprefents a polype partly joined, as

b,

the part c a e not yet clofed.

Fig. 29,

Plate XXIII. B, reprefents a polype,

the heads
it

of

which have been repeatedly divided, by which means

literally

becomes

a hydra.

fig. 24

Ml C R OS C O P

AL

S S A Y S.

423

Fig. 24 reprefents a polype that had been turned, endeavouring to turn itfelfback again, the fldn of the anterior part lying back

upon

the other; the arms varying in their direction, being fome-

times turned towards the head, fee Fig. 24 and 26, Plate XXIII, B, at others towards the tail. The anterior extremity e, formed

by

the edges of the reverfed part

a,

remained open for fome

fhot out

days,
ones,

and then began to and

clofe,

new arms

near the old

feveral mouths, were formed at thofe parts

where the

arms joined the body.

changes that took,
infide out,
it

Fig, 23, 25, 27, 28, reprefent the

different

place in another polype that

different revolutions
ftate.
it

had been turned

and the

went through before

acquired a fixed

a c always (hews the part the polype had. turned back, and.
it

a b the part

could not turn back,.

which has Been partly turned back, remains but a a, Fig. 28, Plate XXIII. B, the little time in that fituation. part where the portion it had turned back joined to the body a b
;

A polype,
became

this

ftrait,

and formed, a right angle

withab;

the fame

day another head appeared ate, and

to

feveral arms, a o an,

began
there

moot from

the

mouth a

at the other fide of this

mouth

were the old arms ad.

The next day

the portion a c was

it,

drawn

near the body., and formed an acute angle with

Fig. 27 reprefents

as at Fig. 25.

the fame fwelled, after having Swallowed a

it's

worm.
as

form had varied confiderably, may be feen by comparing Fig. 25 and 28, having now one

Four days afterwards

common mouth and two

fmall polypes growing

on

it.

We

Microscopical Essays.

We

may now be

permitted to

make a few

refle&ions

on

this

confidering the various properties that have been already defcribed, we fhall find in them many particulars-,
that are very analogous to others that are continually carrying

fmgular animal.

On

on

around us
parts.

we

perceive that there

is

a fucceflive unfolding of new

is

In every organized frame there

it's

a continual effort to

extend

fphere of action, and enlarge the operation of that

portion of

life

which

is

tion requires a fecret

communicated to it. This gradual evoluand curious mechanifm to regulate and

modify by
each
it is,

re- action
it.

the continued conatus of the forming prin-

ciple within
part,
if

is an organized whole, of which each molecule, each atom, tends to produce another we may fo fpeak; one entire ovary, a compound of germ,

The polype

or feed. In cutting a polype to pieces, the nourifhing juices, which would have been employed in fupporting the whole, are made
to act

upon each

portion.

divided longitudinally, it forms two half the oppofite edges of thefe approach, and in a very fhort time form a perfect tube. The fides are made to touch each
is

When
;

a polype

tubes

other by certain motions and contractions of the piece but as foon as the edges come in contact, a flight adhefion takes place,
;

the correfponding veflels unite, and

a vegetable graft
;

new ones

are unfolded, as in

means, the points of connection and cohefion are multiplied, the motion of the fluids are re-eflablifhed,
this

by

and with them the vital ceconomy.

nous, and

This

is

performed with more

is

rapidity than in vegetables, becaufe the polype

it's

nearly gelatiis

parts are extremely ductile; this ductility

it

fup-

ported and preferved by the element which

inhabits.

The fame
reafoning

Microscopical Essays,
a-eafoning applies equally to explain

425

the formation of fo

many

heads to a polype, as conftitute

it

a real hydra.

A new

polype

is

in a very different

formed out of fmall portions, or fragments, manner, the operations in nature being always
;

varied, according as the circumftances differ

each fragment

is

puffed up, the fkin feparated,

within
it
;

this

part

is

and an empty fpace is formed to become the ftomach of the rifing polype,,
and
is

which foon fends

proper to
it's

forth arms,

formed to the perfection

kind.

We learn

the polype
it

is

not fo fimple as

from this inftance, that the fkin of was at firft imagined for we find
;

dividing itfelf into two membranes, and forming thereby a

fit

cavity
thefe

to perform all the functions

of a ftomach

but

why
this,

membranes

are feparated in the fmall portions,

tell
;

and not in
of thefe

the larger,

we cannot

but though we are ignorant of

relative to the re-production

and many more circumftances

little

animals, yet the foregoing facts

enable us to underftand

better the nature of the exiftence

of thofe polypes which have

been turned infide out

For
in the

as that part
little

which formed the

infide

interior fkin

of the ftomach*

fragments before-mentioned, became the exterior part

of the animal, the

of the polype

is

confequently fo fimilar

to the exterior fkin, that

one may be
;

fubftituted for the other,

without injuring the

vital functions

from hence we might, in

fome
after

meafure, have inferred the poffibility of the polypes living

it

has been turned infide out, independent of the fa6l

itfelf.

The
ikin,

vifcera

of the animal are fituated in the thicknefs of the

infide

and abforbing pores are placed both on the

and outfide
#

3F

426
fide, fo that the

Microscopical Essays.
animal can live whether the fkin
is

turned one

The Author of nature did not create the polype to be turned as we turn a glove but he formed an animal
way or the
other.
;

whofe

vifcera

were

lodged in the thicknefs

of the
it

fkin,

and with

powers to

refift

the various accidents to which

it's life
;

was unavoidably
might be turned

expofed by the nature of

for this purpofe

and. the organization neceffary

was

fo conflrucied, that the fkin

without deftroying

life.

Every portion of a divided polype

all

has, like the vegetable bud,

;

the vifcera neceffary to

it s j

exigence

it

can, therefore, live

by

itfelf,

and

pufli

forth a head and

tail,

when

placed end to end

againft another piece.

tions, the veifels

The

vegetation confifts in uniting the por-

of each part increafe in length, and a

commu-

nication

is

foon formed between them, which unites the whole.

The
fore,

eafe with

which the

parts unite,

is,

as has

been obferved befor

probably owing to their gelatinous nature;

fimilar instances in tender lubifances.
as the fingers, unite in the
alfo thus united.

we

find

many
leaves

The
;

folid parts

of

the embryo,

womb

tender fruit and

may be

A portion of thefe creatures

.

is

capable of devouring
reft.

it s

prey

almort. as foon as

it is

divided from the

In the ftruclure of
a particular place
is

thofe animals

which are moft familiar to

us,

appropriated for

the developement and paifage of the embryo.

like

But on the body of an animal, which,

with
prolific

a tree,

is

covered

gems,
it's

it is

not fiirprizing that the young ones fhould

proceed from

fides, like

branches from a
;

tree.

The mother
is

and her young ones form but one whole

cally fupported

fhe

nourimes them, and

recipro-

they contribute to her exiftence, as a tree fupports and

by

it's

branches and leaves*

9?

Microscopical Essays*
Of the Hydra Pallens.

.427

The
In fee.
with,
is

hydra pallens has been defcribed only by M. Roefel,

465, Plate 76, 77 it is very feldom to be met of a pale yellow colour, and grows fmaller gradually
;

3, Polyp.

from the bottom, the

tail is

fomewhat round or knobbed, the

arms are about the length of the body, of a white colour, and
generally feven in number, apparently

globules

it

compofed of a chain of brings forth the young from all parts of it's body.
it

Linnaeus defines

as

hydra pallens tentaculis

fubfenis mediocribus,

Pallas as hydra attenuata corpore flavefcente, furfum attenuato.

Of the Hydra Hydatula.

The
and a
next in order
is

the hydra hydatula,

which we have
writers,
It
is

already defined from Linnaeus as a hydra with four obfolete arms,

veficular

body

it

is

fpoken of by

many medical

who
dec.

are enumerated in the Syftema Naturae, p. 1321.

defcribed alfo by Hartman, mifc. nat. cur. dec.

II.

an. 7, obf. 206,

an. 4, obf. 73, as

p. 50, n. 6,

hydatis animata

alfo

in the diflert.
it

de

inf. viv.

taenia hydatoidea.

Pallas defines

as

taenia hydatigena rugis imbricata corpore poflice bulla lymphaticas

terminate
tracted

The

defcription I

fliall

give the reader will be ex-

from the Philofophical Tranfactions, No. 193, by Dr. Tyfon, who names it lumbricus hydropicus.

In the diffeclion of a gazella, or antelope, Dr. Tyfon obferved

feveral hydatides, or films, filled with water, about the bignefs of

a pigeon's egg, and of an oval form, fattened to the omentum, and

fome

in the pelvis,

between the bladder of urine and the re&um

428

Microscopical Essays.
to

and he then fufpe&ed them

in
2.

be a particular

fort

of infec\ bred

animal bodies, or at

leafl

the embryos or eggs f thenv

like a

matrix, fo loofely, that

Became he obferved them included in a membrane, by opening it with the finger, or a

it,

knife,

the internal bladder, containing the ferum or lympha, feemed

%

no
it.

where to have any connection with

drop out,
2.
ftill

but would very readily

fpilling

retaining

it's

liquor, without

any of

He

obferved that this internal bladder had a neck, or white

reft
it's

body, more opake than the

of the bladder, and protuberant

extremity, by which, as with a

from

it,

with an
it

orifice

at

mouth,

exhaufted the ferum from the external membrane, and

it's

fo fupplied

bladder, or flomach.

3.

Upon

bringing this neckitfelfc

near the candle, the neck

Plate

moved and

fhortened

Fig. in
it's,

XXI.

reprefents

one of thefe watery bladders inclofed

external membrane,

it's

fhape was nearly round, being only a

little

depreffed, or flatted, as a

drop of cmickfilver
is

will

be by lying on.

a plane.

In Fig. 2 the neck

off,

better feen
is

the external
it's

membrane
;

being taken
confifts

an open

orifice

found at

extremity

it

of

circular rings, or incifures,

as

which are more

appears

vifible

when
with

magnified,
a.

in Fig. 3
little

it

then
all

granulated
;

number of

eminencies

over the furface

the

orifice at the extremity

ferns to be formed by retracting

itfelf in?

wards, and upon

trial it

was found to be

fo

for in Fig. 4, the

neck of this polype is xeprefented magnified and drawn out it* whole length on opening it there were found withkLthe two;

firings a a,

which probably convey into the ftomach the moiftureand nourimment, which the animal, by protruding it's neck, extracts from the external membrane.*

Hydra,
* Hydra hydatula habitat in abdomine mammalium, ovium, fuum, murium, &Ci Vefica lymphatica-, pellucida, magnitudme pmrui inter peritoneum et inteftina,
getiolat^

Microscopical Essays
Hydra Stentorea.
Fig. 27

425

and

28,

Plate XXIL

Tentaculis ciliaribus corpore infundibuliformi.

The arms of
trumpet-fhaped.

this

hydra are rows of fhort

hairs, the

body

This fpecies of hydra

is

very

common, and has been

;

deferibed

by almoft every

writer

on

thefe fubjects

it

is

placed by Muller

among

the vorticellae.

Vorticella ftentorea caudata, elongata, tubasformis limbo eiliato.

Muller animalcula infuforia.

They

are

named by Mr. Baker and Mr. Trembley

the funnel*

like polype*

There are three fpecies of them,, which are of different colours, The white ones are the mofl common* green, blue, and white. It is neceflary to obferve them often, and in various attitudes, in
order to obtain a tolerable idea of their ftruclure.

They do not
comes in

form
their

clufters,

but adhere fingly by their

tail

to whatever

way

their anterior

end

is

wider than the poflerior, and

being round, gives the animal fomewhat of a funnel form, though it is not completely circular, having a fort of flit, or gap, that
interrupts the circle.

The edge of this opening

is

furniftied

with

a great number of

little fimbrillae,

which, by their brifk and continual

gjetiol'ata

corpore cylindrico, in cujus apice

os,,

quod colore. compreflb, movet

tec-

te.cula vix raanifefta.

Lin. Syft. Nat. p. 1321..

43*

Microscopical Essays*
of water
;

tinual motions, excite a current

float

the fmall bodies that

it

or fwim near this current, are forced by

animal.

into the

mouth of

the

little

Mr. Trembley
fmall animalcula

fays, that
fall

he has often feen a

after another into the

number of very

one
let

mouth, fome of which were afterwards

out again at another

opening, which he was not able to defcribe.

They can fafhion their mouths into feveral different forms. If any thing touches them they fhrink back and contract themfelves.
They
with.
live

independent of each other, fwimming freely through

the water in fearch of their prey, and fix to any thing they meet

dinally,

Thefe animals multiply by dividing themfelves, not longitunor tranfverfely, but floping and diagonal wife; the

proceedings in nature continually varying in every

life.
firft

new form of
tail

Of

the

two polypes produced by the

divifion of one, the

has the old head and a

head.

new

tail,

the other the old

with a

new

To make

the defcription

more clear, Mr. Trembley called

that

with the old head the fuperior polype, that with the new head the
inferior one.

The

firft

particular that

is
is

obfervable in thefe

polypes,

when they
the

are going to divide,

the lips of the inferior

it

one

a tranfverfe and oblique ftripe indicates the part where

;

is

going to divide

new

lips are

formed

at about two-thirds
;

of

the length of the polype, reckoning from the head

is

the divifion

made

in a
;

doping

line, that

goes about half way round the pafirft

rent animal

thefe lips are at

difcerned

by a flow motion,
infenfibly

which engages the attention of the obferver. They then

approach

Microscopical Essays*
approach each other and clofe, whereby a fwelling is formed on the fide of the polype, which is foon found to be a new head.

When the

fwelling

is

eonfiderably increafed, the two polypes

may

be plainly diftinguifhecL The fuperior one being now connected with the inferior one only by it's lower extremity, is foon detached

from

it,

and fwims away to

fix itfelf

on fome convenient

fub-

ftance ; the inferior one remains faftened to the place where the
original

polype was fixed before the

divifion.

From
and to

the various

are multiplied,

modes by which different fpecies of polypes we are led to form more exalted ideas of nature,

fee that the little

;

we

difcover

is

but an exceeding {mall part

of her contents

we

learn alfo to be

more

cautious in reafoning

from analogy, and laying down the known

for a

model to the un-

known, becaufe we

find that the operations in nature are varied

ad

infinitum,

The growth of the hydra fufea is very quick, but that of the hydra ftentorea is much more fo. The progrefs of the fcetus
,

is

always more rapid than that of the infant and adult animal
is.

but

in thefe organized atoms* the evolution

fo rapid, as

to appear

almoft like

an.

immediate creation*

Fig.

28 reprefents the hydraefientorese, or funnel-polype, fixed

to the under fide of a piece of

in this figure

fome vegetable fubftance

fize.

they are

of their natural

Fig. 27, the

fame polype magnified

the different forms they

afiume are alfo feen here, fometimes fhort and thick as at

m
as

long

as at n, nearly globular as at o,

extended to the

full fize

432

Microscopical Essays,
i.

At k, feen as contracted at

The

fimbrillae,

or

little hairs,
I.

may

be feen in molt of the

attitudes,

except thofe of

Of the Hydra

Socialis.

Hydra

socialis mutica torosa rugosa. Fig. 11,

PI,

XXL

Bearded thick and wrinkled.

This fpecies of hydra has been defcribed by
is

many writers.
it

It

the vorticella focialis of Muller,

;

who

defines

as

vorticella

caudata, aggregata, clavata

infuforia, p.

difco obliquo
it

Muller Animalcula
Pall.

304.

Pallas

makes

a brachionus,

Zooph. 53.

In Fig.
fied
;

1 1 thefe

animals are reprefented as confiderably magnilike a circle,

they appear

furrounded with crowns, or

tails

ciliated heads, tied

to a common center, from whence they advance towards the circumference, where they turn

by

fmall thin

like a wheel, with a great deal

of vivacity and

fwiftnefs,
its

till

they

occafion a kind of whirlpool, which brings into

fphere the

proper food for the polype.

tion for a time,
it

flops,

When one of them has been in moand another begins fometimes two or
;

three

may be
and

perceived in motion together.

tail flicking in

be found feparate, with the

contracts
dilates

the

They are often to mud. The body

very much, fo as fometimes to have the ap-

pearance of a cudgel, at others to afTume almoft a globular form.

The young

polypes of this fpecies have been fometimes taken for

the hydra (tentorea.

Microscopical Essays,
Of the Vorticell^e.

433

We now come to
later writers

another divifion of thefe animals, to which

vorticellas,

have given the name of

which we

{hall

therefore adopt, as

we

think

it

behoves every

man

to maintain

that order in fcientific arrangement

truth,

which

is

not inconfiftent with

except he can produce another arrangement more exit is

preffive of the nature of the objects

defigned to difcriminate.

The
will

variety that

may be obferved
it

in thefe
is

minute animals, coninto, the

firms a principle,

which the more

looked

more

it

be found to accord with the general operations in nature,

is

namely, that there

necefTary

always a pre-exiftent principle of

life

to the organization both

of animals and vegetables

that the alimentary and other particles

which are added

to,

or ap-

parently belong to them, produce nothing of themfelves, they are

incapable of forming the leafl

eonftituent
parts of

fibre,

but they are able to become

one organical whole, and the inftruments

principle
is

whereby the forming

ble of acting

manifefled,

and rendered capa-

upon

certain orders of creatures.

VORTICELLA.
Animal,
flirps fixa.

calyce vafculofo

ore contractili

ciliato,

terminal!

A fmall animal,
ciliated,

with a vafcular cup

the

mouth

is

at

one end

and capable of being contracted, the Item

fixed.

VORTI-

434

Microscopical Essays.
VoR TIC ELLA AnASTATICA.

Vorticella anaftatica, compofita,

floribus campanulatis ftirpe

muitiflora rigefcente, fee Fig. 13, 14, 15, 16, Plate

XXI.
and &

Vorticella anaftatica,
rigid ftem.

compound, with bell-fhaped

flowers,

Cluftering polype,

fecond fpecies, Trembley, Philof. Tranl

vol

xliv.

part 2,

p. 643.

Thefe polypes form a group refembling a

properly an open flower ; this flower, or clufter,

clufter,
is

or more

fupported by

a ftem, which

is

fixed

by

it's

lower extremity to fome of the

aquatic plants, or extraneous bodies, that are found in the water

the upper extremity forms

itfelf
;

into eight or nine lateral branches,,

thefe have alfo fubordinate branleaf.

perfectly fimilar to each other

ches,

whofe

collective

form much refembles that of a

is

Every

one of thefe affemblages fomewhat greater than a

compofed of one

principal branch, r

nerve, which makes with the

right

main ftem of the clufter an angle one from both fides of this nerve
; ;

the fmaller lateral branches proceed

thefe are ftiorter the nearer

their origin is to the principal branch,.

and alfo of all the There are others ort lateral ones there is a polype or vorticella. both fides of the lateral twigs, but at different diftances from their
principal branch,

At the extremity of the

extremity.
like figure
;

Thefe polypes are

near their

all

exceeding

fmal-1,

and of a

bell-

mouth a quick motion may be

difcerned*

though not with a fufEcient diftin&nefs to convey an adequate idea

Microscopical Essays,
of
it's

435
are

caufe

upon

the branches

of thefe

clutters

round

bodies, which will

be more

particularly defcribed prefently.

Every

clufter has eight or nine

all

of thefe branches, or leaves

they do not

proceed from the fame point, but the points from

out are not far afunder
all
;

whence they
bent a
little

fet

each of thefe branches

is

inwards, fo that

of them taken together form a

is

kind of (hallow cup.

this

If the eye

placed right over the bafe of

cup, the appearance of the whole eight or nine branches is like unto that of a ftar, with fo many rays proceeding from the center. If the clufter is {lightly touched, all the branches inftantly
fold up,

and form a fmall round

mafs.

The Item which

up

fiu>

ports the clufter contracts alfo at the fame time, folding

like

workman's meafuring

rule, that confifts

of three or four joints.

This extraordinary aflemblage

of fociety, in which

conftitutes

one organized whoIe 9

formed of a multitude of fimilar and particular ones.

cies
all

A new fpefame
life.

the individuals are

all

members of each

other in the ftri&eft fenfe,

and

participate of the

A few days

after

one of thefe

clufters

is

formed, fmall round

bodies, or bulbs,

may be

perceived to protrude in feveral places

;

from the body of the branch

their
greateft

thefe

grow very

faft,

and

arrive at

growth in two or three days. The bulbs detach from the branches out of which they fpring, and go themfelves away, fwimming till they can fettle upon fome fubftance which

they meet with in the water, and to which they fix themfelves by a fhort pedicle the bulbs are then round, only a little flatted oa
;

the under fide, the pedicle continues to lengthen gradually for

about twenty-four hours, during the fame time the bulbs alfo change their figure, and become nearly oval. There are in a

clufter

Microscopical Essays.
clutter but

few of thefe bulbs compared with the number of the

vorticellas, neither

do

all

the bulbs

come out

at the

fame time.

The

bulb then
{till

divides lengthways into

two

fmaller ones, but

It
is

which are

much

larger than the vorticelhe themfelves.

firft,

not long before thefe are feparated like the

four bulbs on the fame ftalk
;

and thus form

thefe again divide themfelves,

and
fix-

form
teen.

eight,

which again fubdivide, and confequently make

are
all

Thev

connected with the ftalk by a proper pedicle,

but they are not

divide,

all

of an equal

fize

the largeft continue to

and the

fmalleft begin to open,

and take the bell-formed

fhape.

Mr. Trembley obferved from one round bulb, in about

be formed.

twenty-four hours, by repeated divifions, one hundred and ten

vorticellse to

It

has been afked with propriety, what plant, or what animal,

could have led us to expect an exigence and

mode of propaga-

tion fimilar to that of the vorticella anaftatica ?

Fig. 13 reprefents
this

one branch of the

vorticella anaftatica

on

branch, befides the vorticellse which are of a bell-like form*

fome of thofe round bodies from which they firft fpring, and by which they are fo remarkably diftinguifhed from many other fpecies,

may be feen.
one of the globular bodies,
itfelf

Fig. 14 reprefents

after

it

has parted
after

from the
.

clufter,

and has fixed

it's

to

fome other body, and

to lengthen.

the globule itfelf and

pedicle have

begun

Fig. 15 reprefents the

two bodies that were formed by the

part-

ing of that which

is

reprefented in Fig. 14*

Microscopical Essays*
Fig. 16 reprefents four that were formed

437

by the feparation of

the two bulbs, reprefented

in.

the foregoing figure.

VORTICELLA PyRARIA.
Compofita, floribus mutieis obovatis, tentaculis bigeminis ftirpe
ramofa, Fig. 25 and 26, Plate XXII.
lefs

Compound, with beard-

oval

florets,

two double arms, the Hem branched. Lin.

fomewhat of a pear fhape, thebafe is pellucid, the toptruncated the lateral arms, which are a pair on each fide, canIt
is
;

not be diftinguifhed without fome attention

they are fometimes

fwifily

to be feen difengaged from the pedicle, and rolling

in

kind of

circle.

VORTICELLA Cr AT^EG ARIA*

Vorticella compofita, floribus mutieis globofis, tentaculis binis^
flirpe ramofa, Fig. 40, Plate

XXII.

Compound, with globous

naked

florets,

two

tentacules,

and a branched ftem.

in the

Thefe
in the

vorticellse are to

be found
tail

month of April, both

mud, and upon the

of the monoculus quadricornis

they are generally heaped together in the manner in which they

are reprefented in the figure
;

they are of a fpherical form, and

united to one

common

ftalk.

They
is

are alfo often to be found

without any pedicle, the body

is circular,

rather contracted, the aperture

;

and furrounded with a marked margin

;

it

has

two

fmall arms

with a deep magnifier, a vehement rotatory motion

\

may be feen

they fometimes feparate from the community, and

43$
go forwards

Microscopical Essays.
in a kind of fpiral line,
reft.

and then

in a little time

come

back again to the

Fig.

40

reprefents a parcel of thefe vorticellse united together.

Among

the other authorities for this animal,

to Mr. Baker's defcription of the mulberry

for the Microfcope," p. 348, which, as
it

infecl,

M, Linnseus refers " Employment

differs

preceding account,

we
;

{hall infert here.

a little from the That from which his

-drawing was made, and which he has defcribed, was found in a

ditch near

Norwich
it

he called
fruit

it

the mulberry infect, from the re-

femblance

bore to that

though the protuberances that

thofe of a mulberry
is
;

Hand out round it are more globular than

to be feen rolling about

it is

from one place to another, and

;

probadiffer-

bly a congeries of animalcula

they are to be met with in

ent numbers of knobs, or protuberances, fome having

fixty, others

fifty

or

more or lefs down

to four or five.

The manner of

moving

is

the fame in all

They

are generally of a pale yellow.

VoRTICELLA OPERCULARIA,

FlG. 29,

PLATE XXII.

Vorticella compofita, floribus muticis ovalibus, ftirpe ramofa.

Compound, with naked oval

Thefe
vorticellae are

florets,

and a branched

fterru

in clufters, branching out

of a lemon fhape, and are generally found from a Item, which moftly adheres to

fome convenient
That
fpecies

fubftance.

of them which

is

defcribed

by Mr. Baker had a

longer than thofe

very fhort pedicle, and the animals were

much

which

Microscopical Essays.
which are reprefented
at Fig. 29, Plate

439
There was no
radii,

XXII.

main

flem, but

all

the pedicles were joined in one center, round

which the animals extended themfelves as fo

many

forming

a very pleafing

figure.

The mouths

of thefe animalcula are not

ciliated,

but they are

furnilhed with a round aperculum, or cover, connected by a long ligament, or mufcle, which extends downwards through the

body, and

is

affixed within fide

of it, near the

tail.

This

liga-

ment may be contracted or dilated, fo removed to fome diftance from the mouth
fhort hairs

that the cover

;

may be

in this fituation feveral

;

may be found to

radiate

from

it

thefe

have a vibra-

tory motion, by which they probably to draw in the proper nourifhment, after which they fhut or pull down the cover, which they again extend at pleaexcite
fure

a current of water, moil

when the cover is pulled and no hairs are to be feen*

;

clofe

down, the mouth contract

operculum 29 reprefents the vorticella opercularia, f the removed at fome diftance from the mouth, at t, it is nearly clofe hairs to at r, the mouth contracted, the cover drawn in, and no
Fig.

be feen

u a part of the

ftalk,

from which fome of the animal-

cula are feparated.

Vorticella Umbellaria.
Vorticella compofita, floribus
ciliatis

globofis

muticis, ftirpe
ciliated

umbellata,
p-lobous

Fig.

30,

Plate

XXII.

Compound, with

naked

florets,

and

an umbellated ftem*
VortI-

Microscopical Essays.
Vorticella acinofa, fimplex, globofa, granis nigricantibus, pedtui-

eulo rigido. Muller Animal Infuf. p. 31$,

We often find in
plants, pieces

divers places,

bodies in the water, a whitifh

fubftance, that looks like

upon water,; 'plants, and other mould

Sec. are often entirely

of wood, mail

(hells,

cover-

ed over with this fubftance.

microfcope,

If

we examine any

of'thefe

by the

we

fhall find

fuch motions as will induce us to think

living animals,

them an affemblage of
which are often

minute bodies, feverally

fixed to the extremities of fmall ftems, or pedicles,

fo united as to

many of
cluttering

form together a

fort

of branches,

or clufters, from whence they

have been termed

polypes, or des polypes en bouquet.

Thefe

clufters are larger or fmaller,

according to the fpecies of

to the

the vortieellae which form them,

and according

con-

currence of many

other circumflances.
it
is

To

get a clear idea of

the figure of thefe animals,

ters, as

beft to obferve the fmaller cluf-

in the larger they are

often rendered

lefs

diftincl;

on

account of the number.

The

length of thofe which are reprefented at Fig. 30,

;

is

about

the 240th of an inch

they are of a bell-ihape.

The
is

anterior part,

a c generally appears open, the pofterior part

fixed to a ftem,

or pedicle,

by the extremity of this pedicle that the vorticella fallens itfelf to any fubftance. It appears in the microfcope of abrownifh colour, excepting at the fmaller end b, where it is

be;

it is

tranfparent, as well as the

part a c
is

whole pedicle b

e.

When the

anterior
it's

open, a very lively

it

motion may be

perceived about

edges

and when

prefents itfelf in a particular

manner, fomething

Microscopical Essays.
thing very

441

with

much refembling the little wheels of a mill, moving great velocity, may be difcovered on both fides of the edges
part.

of this anterior

Thefe

vorticellae

are
to

able

to

contract themfelves fuddenly.

They may be made

moving
body
tract, the
;

do

this, either

by touching them, or

the fubftance to which they are affixed.

When they con-

edges of the anterior parts are drawn quite into the

come

forth,

on refuming their former pofture, the edges may be feen to and put themfelves in motion as before. Minute

fub fiances that float in the water are often forced

down

into thefe

openings, and fome times are thrown out again.

They

are capable of fwimming about fingly, but their form

is

in

that cafe confiderably different from that which they have

when
beft

they are fixed.

To

fee regularly in

what manner the

clutters are
it is

formed, and in what

to obferve one that
is

way

thefe

little
itfelf.

creatures multiply,

fixed

by

The

pedicle of a fmgle vorticella

is

at

firft

thort,
is,

but

it

foon

grows longer, and then begins to multiply, that

fplit itfelf in

to divide, or
firft

two lengthways.

To

effecl

this,

the lips are

drawn
and

into the body, the anterior part clofes

and becomes round,

lofes it's bell fhape,

the motion about the lips ceafes, though

a fmall degree of motion

may be
It

perceived within the body.

The

anterior
it

end

flattens gradually,

and fpreads wider

Tplits

in

prothe

portion as

grows fmaller.
is,

then gradually

down

middle, that
that in a
to the

from the middle of the head to the pedicle, fo

little

time two feparate round bodies appear to be joined

pedicle, that before fupported but one.

end of the

3H

The

442

Microscopical Essays.
or anterior part of each of thefe bodies,
in

The mouth,
by degrees
;

and

proportion as they open, the

lips

now opens of the new

vorticella begin to difplay themfelves.

The motion
it is

before -fpokert

of may then
ferving
it
;

alfo

be perceived.
firft

Indeed

the beft time of ob-

it is

at

flow, but

more

rapid in proportion as the

mouth opens, when

began
to divide,

it is

as fwift as that

of the vorticella before

it

it

and we may now

is

look upon

as

completely

formed.
itfelf.

vorticella

generally about one hour in dividing

The
ticellas

lower of the three drawings, Fig. 30, reprefents two vorjoined by their pofterior extremity to one pedicle fooa
[

after the divihon,

it's

each

vorticella begins, to

{hew a pedicle

ofT

own.
reprefents a

Fig..

30

duller of eight

figure

difpofed. as their
at b,

we may form fome idea in number increafes

vorticella; by this; what manner the pedicles are

;

there were at

firft

only two

divided into two,

whofe branches lengthened to d, and then each of them was now forming four thefe again lengthened and
;

reached

i,

when they were again

fubdiyided, as in the figure.

The

reader will join with

M. Bonnet

in

admiring the group of

wonders afforded by a
feen, varied,

{ingle fpot of mouldinefs.

What
mind
!

unfore-

and

interefting fcenes are prefented within fo fmall.ais

compafs

what a theatre
fo reclufe, that

exhibited to a thinking

But our

abode

is

we have but
T

a glimmering view of it:

how

great

would our

aftonifliment be, if the

whole fpe&acle was

difclofed to us at once,

interior ftrufture of this

and we w ere enabled to penetrate into the wonderful aflemblage of living atoms !

Our

Microscopical Essays,
Our
eyes fee only the grofs part of the decorations, whilft the
!

443

ma-

Who chines that execute them remain in impenetrable darknefs into dive an abyfs obfcurity, or profound this enlighten (hall
where reafon
portion that
is loft, it

or draw from thence the treafures of wifdom

?

concealed within
is

Let us learn
us,

to

be content with the fmal!

grati-

communicated to

and contemplate with

tude the

firft

traces of

human underftanding

that are imparted to

us in thefe difcoveries.

VoRTlCELLA 'BeRBERINA,
Vorticella compofita, floribus ovalibus muticis, ftirpe ramofeu

Compound, with
This
is

oval beardlefs florets.

a fpecies of the vorticella?, which referable the preced-

ing one in

many

refpecls, particularly in
is,

being multiplied in the

it's

fame manner, that

length.

by

dividing,

or fplitting, according to

They

are

more

(lender than the vorticella umbellaria;

the are

branches of the clufters are tran (parent.

When many of them

lips
it
is

together, they appear of a changeable violet colour; the clufters

are not unlike a fprig of fpun

glafs.

The motion of the

not

fo eafily diftinguilhed as in the foregoing fpecies,

though

may
it

be obferved
formation.

in thefe whilft they are

opening and completing their

For at

thefe times the

motion

is

but flow, whereas

becomes afterwards very quick in thofe of perfection.

that are arrived at a ftate

3H

All

444

Microscopical Essays.
they

All the clutter vorticellae detach themfelves from time to time

from the Hera, and from thefe they fwim about

till

fix

again

upon

fome convenient fubftance

vorticellae.

the branches,

when

defcrted,

bear no more

VORTICELLA DlGITALIS.
Vorticella compofita, floribus cylindricis, unifulcatis femiclaufis,
ftirpe

ramofa, Fig. 31, PI. XXII.

Compound, with cylindrical florets

Vorticella compofita, cylindrica, cryftallina, apice truncata et

Ma, pedunculo

fiftulofo

ramofa.

Muller Animal

Infuf. p.

327.

This fpecies of the vorticella

is

very fcarce,
it

it

feems only to

have been feen by Roefel,

quadricornis,
till

who found
it

on the monoculus

1784,
it

when

was difcovered by Mr. Muller,

who had

fought for

feveral years before in vain.

The body
it

is

cylindrical, cryftalline,

and appears almoft empty

is

;^

has three pellucid points difpofed lengthways, the apex

trun-

cated in an oblique direction, the margin bent back.

part contracts
itfelf,

The upper

and the margin then a {fumes a conical fhape,

;

with

convex furface

there

are in general but few branches

thefe are lhort
hairs,

from the principal ftem, and

have been difcovered.

and thick

it

excites

an undulatory motion, but no

Fig, 31,

nor any rotatory motion,

n, reprefents the vorticella

o and

adhering to the monoculus quadricornis.

VoRTl-

16

*7

aS

Microscopical Essays.
VORTICELLA CoN V ALL ARIA.

445

Simplex, gregaria, flore campanulata mutico, tentaculis bigeminis, ftirpe fixa, Fig. gg,
florets bell-fhaped,

PL XXII. Simple, but

gregarious, the

with two pair of little arms, and a fixed ftem.

Vorticella fimplex, campanulata, pedunculo retortili.

Muller

Animal

Infuf.

Thefe vorticellae, or

bell animals, as

they are termed by Mr.

Baker, are generally found adhering to fome fubftance in the

water; they are reprefented here as found by

M.

Roefel, fixed to

a curious cornu ammonis, with points projecting from the back.

To

the naked eye they appear only as fo

little bells,

many

little

white points,

but under a microfcope, as

considerable diftance.
tion,

agitating the water to a

The

ftems of thefe have a particular

all

mo-

they draw themfelves up, and fhorten

;

at

once, taking

the form of a fpiral wire, or fcrew

in a

moment

after they

again
be-

refume their former fhape, flretching themfelves out

fore.

(trait as

Many

of them
tails
;

may be
cilia,

feen at times

adhering to each
fide

other by their

the

which are two on each

of the

mouths, are very feldom to be perceived.

Vorticella Urceolaris.

Fig. 33, 34, 35,

Plate XXII.
tail,

Simplex, pedunculata, ore dentato.

Single, with a fhort

and toothed mouth.

Brachionus capfularis
ovata apice fexdentata bafi
Infuf. p.

tefta

incifa,

cauda longa

bicufpi.

Muller Animal

356.

To

446

c 10 s
it

comical Essays.
;

To

the naked eye

appears as a white moveable point

tail,

but

when examined by
lower part,
is

the microfcope, a

projecting from the

is

difeovered,

and a double rotatory inftrument

at pleafure.
;

feen,

which

it

can conceal or difcover

It

has been feen

and defcribed by moft microfcopical writers but as Mr. Baker's feems to us to be the moft perfeft, we fhall principally follow his
account of it.

He difeovered three
under the
;

fpecies of them,

two of which are included

of the
firft

vorticella urceolaris.

Fig. 33, 34, 35, are

The firft fort, Fig. 36, 37, 38, are of the fecond kind. fpecies when extended, is about twice as long as it is broad. It is con=
tained in a
fhell
;

the fore-part of this

;

is

armed with four {harp

teeth,

teeth, Or points

the oppofite fide has

no

but

is

waved, or

bent, in two places, like the form of a Turkifh bow.

At
tail.
it

the
It in-

bottom there
faftens itfelf

is

a hole, through

which

it

pu flies the

by
it's

this tail

to any convenient fubftance, when

;

tends to ufe

rotatory organs

water, and at

all

but when it is floating in the not adhering to any body, it when other times

wags the

tail

backwards and forwards fomething like a dog.

as divided into a head, thorax,

We may
:

confider

it

and abdo-

men; each of which may be extended and contrafted considerably it can by dilating all three protrude the head beyond the
Ihell,

or by contracting them, draw the whole body within the

fame.

The head when extended

tween which another
at the

divides itfelf into

two branches, beis

part, a kind of probofcis,

puflied out

end of

this

are

two

fibrils,

that appear

when

they are at
reft

Mick o
^eft like

cx> p

cal Essays*
moved
to

447
and from

a broad point, but which can be

each other very brifldy with a vibratory motion,

fee Fig. 33.

The form and

tory motion
is

lituation

of the two branches

is

fometimes
vibra-

changed, the ends thereof becoming

more round, and the

:

altered to a rotatory one

:

this alteration

is

repre-

fented at Fig. 34

the head alfo appears in this figure.

The

thorax
within

is it

annexed to the lower part of the head, it is mufcular there is a moving inteitine, which has been fuppofed to
little

be

either the lungs or the heart of the

creature, fee b,

Fig,

A
and

communication

is

formed between the thorax and the abwhofe

to
alternate contractions

domen by means

of a fhort veffel c,

dilatations occafion the

abdomen

rife

and

fall alternately,,

having at the fame time a fort of periftaltic motion.

is

The food
it

conveyed through
is

this veffel into the

abdomen, where
is

is

digefted; it

then, difcharged by the anus* which

placed near

the

taili

The
It
is

tail

has three joints, and

it

is

cleft

or divided at the extreitfelf

mity, by which means

can better fallen

to fuitable objects.
(hell,

in generar projected

from the lower end of the

moving,
it

nimbly to and fro, ferving the animal as a rudder

when

is

Iwimming

to direct

it's

courfe..

When

the water in which the

little

animal

is

placed

is

nearly
reft,
it

dried away, or

when

it

[has

a mind

to

compofe

itfelf to

contraas the head and fore-part of the body, and brings them down into the {hell, and pulls the tail upwards, fo that the whole

448

Mi croscopical
is

Essays.
fhell,

of this minute creature

contained within the

fee Fig. 35.

The

fhell

is

fo tranfparent that the terminations cannot be eafily

diftinguifhed

when

the animal
fhell, is as

is

extended; but whatever

is

tranfacled within the

plain as if there was

no fubftance

between the eye and the

interior parts.

Fig. 36, 37, 38,

exhibit the appearance of another fpecies of

differs

thefe animals,

which

from the foregoing kind.

as in the former,

This has

alfo a head, a thorax

and abdomen, but then they are not fepaveffel,

rated by a gut or intermediate

but are
firfi;

joined immediately together, and at the place where in the

kind a moveable

interline

was feen;
difcovered

in this a mufcle,
5

moft

probably the heart,

may be
is
it

it

has a regular fyftole

a,

and
38.

diaftole

this

part

intended to be fhewn at
tail

Fig. 36, 37,

Like the other which then appears

draws the head and

within the fhell,

fide,

to

have

fix teeth

or fpikes on one
it's

and
out

two on the other

as the other
;

it

very feldom protrudes

fibrillar

head fo

far

fometimes the

may be

feen within the mar-

gin of the

fhell.

Both

fpecies carry their

young

in

an oval integument or bag,

fattened externally to the lower part of the fhell,

fomewhere

about the

tail;

thefe bags are fometimes

opake
r
:

at

one end, and

feemingly empty at the other, fee Fig. 34

is

metimes the middle

opake, with a tranfparent margin, fee Fig. 36.

integu-

It is

highly entertaining to fee a young one burft

it's

it's

ment, and gradually force

tion,
it is

way out
it

in performing this operatail

much

alfified

by the motion of the

firfl,

of the parent.
motion,

The

head pari comes out

then

fets

it's

rotatory organ in

Microscopical Essays,
motion by which
ftrokes with
Fig.
it

440,

is

completely difengaged, leaving the integuvorticella freed itfelf

ment behind, which the

it's tail.

from by repeated young one almoft difengaged is feen at b,

c,

38

another embryo,

was

left

adhering to the

fhell.

There

are four

more

fpecies

of the vorticella mentioned by

vorticella ovifera,

Linnaeus, which are the vorticella encrinus, the vorticella polypina, the vorticella
ftel lata,

and the

which do not
be
animal, of

come

properly within our plan.

The

vorticella polypina will

little

defcribed hereafter.

There

is,

however, another

which we have given a

figure in Plate

XXII. and which Linnaeus,

Syftema Naturae, placed among the hydrse, but which he has fmce removed, and placed amongft the
in a former edition of the

tubularia

and

as I

do not

feel

myfelf competent to controvert

the propriety or impropriety of the former or prefent arrange-

ment, the

little

creature mull here take a folitary fituation, and

ftand without a companion.

Tubularia Campanulata.
Reptans, tubis campanulatis.
tubes.

Fig. 32,

Plate XXII.

Creeping,

with campanulated

it is called

by Mr. Baker the

creatures

bell-flowered, or

plumed animal.

Thefe
fifteen in

little

dwell in colonies together, from ten to

in a

number, living

kind of (limy mucilaginous

cafe,

which, when expanded in the water, has fome refemblance to a

bell with
it's

mouth upwards.

Thefe

bells,

or colonies, are to

45

Microscopical Essays,

be found adhering to the large leaves of duck-weed and other

aquatic plants.

The

bell,

or cafe, which thefe animals inhabit, being very

all

tranfparent,
diftinctly
bells,

the motions of
it.

it's

inhabitants

may be

difcerned

through

There

are feveral ramifications, or final ler

;

proceeding from the larger one

in

each of thefe there

is

is

an inhabitant.

The opening
it,

at the top

of thefe bells
it's

juft large

enough

for the creature's

head and a fmall part of

remaining
leaft

body

to be
it

thruft out
alfo

from

the

reft

in the cafe, into

which

draws the head on the

alarm.

Befides the particular and feparate motions which each of thefe

creatures
reft,
is

able to exert within,

it's

cafe,

and independent of the

Thefe animal

the whole colony has a power of altering the pofition of the

bell,

and removing

it

from one place

to another.

cula feem
fifteen
;

not to like to dwell in focieties

whofe number exceeds

the bell

when

the colony happens to increafe in number,

fplit

may

be obferved to

gradually, beginning from about the

middle of the upper extremity, and proceeding

the bottom,
till

they at

laft

feparate

downwards towards two colonies, become and

independent of each other.

The arms
in

are very near each other

fixty

may

often be counted

one plume, having each the figure of an Italic /; one of whofe hooked ends is faftened to the head and all together, when expanded, compofe a figure fomewhat like a horfefhoe, convex on
;

the fide next the body, but gradually opening and turning outexwards, fo as to leave a confiderable diftance within the outer
A

tremities

Microscopical Essays.
tremities of the arms.

154

When

the arms are thus extended, the

creature,

by

giving them a vibratory motion, can produce a cur-

rent in the water, which brings the animalcula, and otber minute

bodies that are floating near

the arms.
if not,
it is

it,

into

it's

mouth, fituated between

is

The

food, if agreeable to the creature,

(wallowed
is

rejected

by a contrary motion.

parent, the animal

may

be feen very plain

As when

the fkin
it

tranf-

has retired

within the tube.

The body
and the
(kin

is

about one-eighth of an inch long, without reckonis

ing the plume, which

is

about the fame length.

It is cylindrical,

very tranfparent.
it is

The plume

is

only a continua-

tion of this tranfparent fkin,

very broad in proportion to the

is

body, and of a remarkable figure; the bafe

of the fhape

of a horfefhoe, from
outwards.
to

this bafe the arms project, they bend rather

fome

finenefs

The plume which they form gives them a refemblance The arms may be compared, from their and tranfparency, to very fine threads of glafs. The
flowers.

bafe of the

plume

is

grooved, and
it

is

fixed to the animal

it is

by the
is

middle of the horfefhoe which

forms, and

here that there

an opening which ferves

as a

mouth
it's

to the animal.
;

are eafily diilinguifhed through

juft

tranfparent fkin

The interlines when it has

Three prini,

been eating, they are of a deep brown colour.

parts
g,

cipal

may be

diflinguifhed,

the

oefophagus e h

the

flomach f

and the reclum fa.

very voracious, devouring a great num-

The plumed polype

ber of fmall
animals.

is

The
the

with the microfcope, will

when obferved attentively be found to bend from moment to moarms,

ment within

fide

of

plume,

and then

rife

up again
then

45^

Microscopical Essays.
;

then another arm performs the fame

tion of
it's

thus

arms,
it's

it

puts the water into violent agitation,

by the continual moand

nourifhed.

brings into

mouth

the food whereby

it

is

In the infide of thefe animals a fmall oblong whitifh

body
in

is

formed, which

is

carried to the outfide,

;

and remains fixed

perpendicular direction to the body

daily,

many of

thefe are formed

and of thefe oval bodies new animals are produced, exactly

fimilar to the parent.

If thefe minute bodies are eggs, they are of a lingular kind y

being

deftitute

of any covering, and are neither membranaceous

;

nor cruftaceous

are hatched from them

bodies to

we cannot with propriety fay the young ones we can, however, perceive thefe oviform The developement is gradually unfold themfelves.
;

accomplilhed in a few minutes, and an animalculum appears like

the parent,

Mr. Trembley amaffed a

ried

large quantity of thefe eggs,

and car-

them from England with him,

as perfect as the tubularia

keeping them quite dry

developed, and be-

on putting them into water, they gradually

came

from which they proceeded.

There
creature,

is

a very great fimilarity in the conftruciion of this

like
it,

little

and many of the marine polypes, who,

ex id in

tubes of the fame growth with themfelves,

Fig.

polypes, very
is

32 reprefents three tubularia? campanulata?, or plumed much magnified, namely, bfacddehgi, which
cell
;

out of it's

A C,

which

is

within

it's

cell,

and the young

Microscopical Essays;
one,

453

tuus, which
f
'

is

out of

it's

cell

h the oefophagus, f g the

ftomach, a
bafe e a
c,

the rectum,
is

acd de
feen,
this

the plume, confifting of the

which

but

little

and the arms ad ad ad which

;

proceed from the edges of

bafe

BAG one of
in

the animals
i&

drawn

into
;

it's

cell,

A B the fkin reverfed,

which the plume

g o o threads which are fixed at one end to the intestines of the animal, by the other to the bottom of the celL
contained

^
R.
.ft

17

% * * * * * *
H1NDMARSH,
Printer.

'Ves iS

feff

* # * #

454

Microscopical Essays.

C H A

P.

VIII.

Of

the

Animalcula Infusoria,

UR
tions

contracted, but

knowledge of the microfcopic world is at prefent very we know enough to give us high concepconcealed wonders, and to
fill

of

it's

us with profound

aftonifhment at the infinite variety of forms that are

ent of
life,

made
life

recipi-

A
little

few of the inhabitants of

figure

this

world have been

of
thefe,

difcovered.
referable fo
it is

The

and apparent habits of

thofe with

which we are more acquainted, that what

is

often difficult to find terms to exprefs

It is

prefented to
gradations of

the eye.

highly probable that there are

many

exiflence far below the minuted of thofe which we cbferve with to difcover the microfcope and though by this we are enabled
;

myriads of different creatures roving in the leaf! drop of water, as fuppofe that HE who if it were a fea, yet it is not unreafonable to worlds, has peofilled the immenfity of extent with funs and
has

than any pled every particle of fluids with more minute beings fublime ideas of apparatus of ours can perceive, agreeable to the
the poet

Gradual

Microscopical Essays.
Gradual from thefe what num'rous kinds defcend,

455

Evading even the microfcopic eye one wondrous mafs Full nature fwarms with life
!

Of animals,
Waiting

or atoms organized,

the vital breath,

when parent heaven.

Shall bid his fpirit blow.

The hoary

fen,

In putrid fleams, emits the living cloud

Of peftilence thro' fubterranean cells, Where fearching fun-beams fcarce can find a Earth animated heaves. The flowery leaf
;

way,

Wants not
Within
it's

it's

foft inhabitants.

Secure,

winding

citadel, the ftone

Holds multitudes.

But chief the

foreft

boughs,

That dance unnumber'd

to the playful breeze,

The downy

orchard, and the melting pulp

Of mellow fruit, the namelefs nations feed Of evanefcent infects. Where the pool
Stands mantled o'er with green,
invifible,

Amid
Each

the floating verdure, millions flray.

liquid too,

whether

it

pierces, foothes,

Inflames, refrefhes, or exalts the tafte,

With

various forms abounds.

cryftal,

Nor
air,
it

is

the ftream

Of pureft

nor the lucid

Tho' one tranfparent vacancy

feems,

Void of their unfeen people.

Thefe, conceal'd

By the kind art of forming The groffer eye of man

:

heaven, efcape

*-

* Let

45^

Microscopical Essays,
Let no prefuming impious
Creative
railer

tax

Wifdom,

as if

aught was form'd

In vain, or not for admirable ends.

Shall
little

haughty Ignorance pronounce

virion

His works un wife, of which the fmalleft part

Exceeds the narrow

of her mind?

As if upon

full

proportion'd dome,

On

fwelling columns heav'd, the pride

of art

critic fly,

whofe

feeble ray fcarce fp reads

An inch around,
And
lives the

with blind prefumption bold,

Should dare to tax the

ftruclure of the whole. man, whofe univerfal eye

th'

Has fwept
Mark'd

at

once

unbounded fcheme of things;

fo,

their

dependance

and firm accord,

As with unfaultering accent to conclude That this availeth nought ? Has any feen The mighty chain of beings leffening down From infinite perfection to the brink

Of dreary nothing, defolate abyfs From which aftonifb'd thought, recoiling,

!

turns ?

Till then alone let zealous praife afcend,

And hymns of holy wonder, to that Power, Whofe wifdom mines as lovely on our minds,
As on our
fmiling eyes his fervant fun,

Thompson.

Animal-

Microscopical Essays.
Animaleulum
might be applied
fize to ourfelves.
fignifies

457

little

animal, and therefore the term

to every animal
It

which

is

confiderably inferior in

has been cuftomary, however, to diftinguifh

by

this

name only
and
is

thofe animals that are of a fize fo diminutive

affi fiance

that their true figure cannot be difcerned without the

glades,

of

more

efpecially applied to

fuch as are altogether

exili

invifible to the

naked eye, and cannot be perceived even to

but by the aid of mierofcopes.

By

thefe

we

are brought into a

new

world, and numberlefs ani-

mals are difcovered, which, from their minutenefs, muft otherwife for ever have efcaped our obfervation
:

and how many kinds

;

of thefe

invifibles there
all fizes,

may
refift

be,

is

yet

unknown

as they are difinvifible to the

cerned of

from thofe which are barely

and with the

naked

eye, to fuch as

the action of the microfcope, as the

greatefl

fixed ftars. do that of the telefcope,

powers

hitherto invented, appear only as fo

many moving

points.

The
nute,

fmalleft

living

creatures
;

our inflruments can mew, are

thofe that inhabit the waters

for

though animalcula, equally mi-

may

fly in the air, or creep

upon

the earth,

it

is

fcarce

poffible to get a

view of them

whereas, water being tranfparent,

it,

and

confining the creatures within

it

we

are enabled,

by applying
of

a drop of
it's

to our glafles, to difcover with

eafe a great part

contents.

It

has been long known, that

if feeds,

herbs, or other vegeta-

ble fubftances, are infilled in water, the water will foon be filled

with an indefinite number of

general,

little

animals.

We

find them, in

moving

in all directions with equal eafe

and rapidity
?

fome-

45

Microscopical Essays,
ftrait

fometimes obliquely, fometimes

circularly,

forwards,

at other times

and turning round, and then running backwards and forwards through the whole dimenfions of the
rolling

one while
in fport

drop, as
little

if

at other times

attacking with

avidity the

heaps of matter they meet with in their way.

to avoid with dexterity

They know

how
their

any obftacles that would interrupt motion, and even to avoid one another you may fee hun;

dreds in motion in a drop of water, that never ftrike againfl each

other

fometimes they will fuddenly change the direction in

which they
thereto.
laid,
it

and take one diametrically op polite By inclining the glafs on which the drop of water is
are moving, to

may be made

move

in

any direction

the animaicula
it,

in the

drop will fwim

as eafily again!!, the fiream as with

If the water begins to evaporate, and the drop to

grow
;

fmaller,

they flock impetuoufly towards the remaining fluid

defire of attaining this

an anxious
vifible, as

momentary

refpite

of life

is

very

well as an

uncommon
laft ceafe.

agitation of the organs

by which they imas the

bibe the water.

till

Thefe motions grow languid

water

fails,

they at

If they are left dry for a little time,

it is

im-

poflible to re-animate

them by giving them

frefh water.

Animaicula and

infects will

fupport a great degree of cold, but

it is

both one and the other perifh when

point.

carried

beyond a certain
produced
live in

The fame degree of heat that deftroys the exiftence of

animaicula
;

infecls, is fatal to

as there are animaicula

in water at the freezing point, fo there are infecls

which

mow.

Microscopical Essays.
If the fmalled drop

459

of urine

is

put into a drop of water, where

about, apparently happy thefe animalcula are roving the acid foon fly to the other fide, but

and eafy,

they inftantly
cating
itfelf

communi-

to this part, their druggies to

efcape are increafed,

but the

evil alfo

increafmg, they are thrown into convulfions/ and

foon expire.
animalcula, as in every other part of nature, there is inalways a certain proportion p refer ved between the fize of the and their number. There are always fewed amongft the

Among

dividuals

larger kinds, but they increafe in

till

number as they diminish

in fize,

or lowed to which our powers of magnifying will Like other anireach, there are myriads to one of the larger. attained mals, they increafe in fize from their birth till they have

of the

lafl

deprived of food, they grow thin and difcovered perilh, and different degrees of organization are to be
their full growth.

When

in their dru&ure.

The

birth

and propagation of

thefe microfcopic beings

;

is

as

regular as that of the largeft animals of our globe

their extreme minutenefs prevents
us,
in

for

though

mod

cafes,

from feeing

the

germ from which they

fpring, yet

we
in

are well aflured, from

numerous

obfervations, that the

manner

which they multiply

is

regulated by conftant and invariable laws.

We have feen
multiply and
parent's

that different fpecies of the hydra

and vorticella

increafe by natural divifions

;

and

fubdivifions of the

body

this

manner of propagation is very common among

the animalcula in infufions, though with

rieties.

many remarkable

va-

Some

multiply by

a tranfverfe divifion, a contraction

takes

Microscopical Essays.
takes place in the middle, forming a kind of neck, that

becomes

fmaller every inffant,

they are enabled by a flight degree of motion to feparate from each other. Thefe animalcula, in genetill

ral,

ftudioufly avoid each other

but
is

when

they are in the labour

it is

of multiplication, and the divifion

not

in great forwardnefs,
itfelf

uncommon

to fee

one of them precipitate

on the neck of

the dividing animalcula, and thus accelerate the feparation.

Another
itfelf

fpecies,

when

it is

on the point of multiplying,

infufion
;

fixes

to the

bottom of the

it

then forms an oblong

to turn rapidly, as if
the.

figure, afterwards

becomes round, and begins

after

upon an

internal center, continually

;

changing

direction of its
1

rotatory motion

fome time, we may perceive two

ines

on

the fpherule, forming a kind of crofs

foon after which, the ani-

mal culum

divides into four,

which grow, and are again fubdivided..

Some

multiply by a longitudinal divifion, which in one kind

;

begins in the fore-part, and others in the hind-part

from another

kind a fmall fragment

is

feen to detach

itfelf,.

which very foon

acquires the form of the parent animalculum. Laflly,

fome propa-

gate in the fame

manner

as thofe

we deem more

perfect animals.

From what

has been faid,

it

appears clearly that their motions

are not purely mechanical, but are produced by an internal fpontaneous principle, and that they mufl therefore be placed among

the clafs of living animals, for they poffefs the

;

ft rongeft.

marks,

and the moft decided characters of animation that there is no foundation for the fuppofition of a chaotic and
neutral kingdom, which can only have derived
it's

and confequently,
origin from

very tranfient

and

fuperficial

view of thefe animalcula.

It

Microscopical Essays.
It

may

alfo

be further obferved, that

Sec.

as

we

fee that the

motions

of the limbs,

of the larger animals are produced by the mecnanical conilruction of the body, ana the action of the foul thereon, and are forced by the ocular demonllration which arifes

from anatomical chiiettion, to acknowledge this median m which animal is adapted to produce the various motions me cefTary to the
and
as

when we have

recourfe to the micrOfcope,

we

find thole

pieces which had appeared to the naked eye as the primary

me-

chanical caufes of the particular motions, to confift themfelves of

leffer parts,

which are the caufes of motion, extenfion,.

Sec. in

the larger;
ther

when

the

ftruclure c n therefore

be traced no fur-

by the eye or

glaffes,

we have no

right to conclude, that

the parts which are invihble are not equally the fubjecl of mechanifm for this would be only to affert in other words, that a
:

thing

may
it is

ex iff becaufe

we

fee

and

feel

it,

and have no exigence

when

not the object of our

fenfes.

The fame train of reafoning may be

fects

applied to microfcopic in-

and animalcula

we

fee

diem move, but becaufe the mufcles

and members which occafion thefe motions are invihble, mall we infer that they have not mufcles, with organs appropriated to the
motion of the whole and
becaufe
it's

parts?

To

fay that they ex id not,

we cannot perceive them, would not be a rational conclufion. Our fenfes are indeed given us, that we may comprehend fome effects but then we have alfo a mind with reafon bellowed upon us, that from the things which we do perceive
;

with our
effects

fenfes,

we may deduce

the nature of thofe causes and

which are imperceptible

to the corporeal eye,

MefTrs,

462

Microscopical Essays.
Needham, and Baron Munckhaufen, have conof animated nature in
fo different a light

Meffrs. Baffon,
fide red this part

from

other writers, that

over.

we cannot with

propriety entirely pafs them

in every microfcopical point

Mr. Needham imagined that there was a vegetative force of water, and every vihble filament
conftfts
;

of which the whole vegetable contexture

fpecies of microfcopic animals

that the feveral

may

fubfide, refolve again into

gelatinous filaments, and again give leffer animals, and fo on,

till

they can be no further purfued by

glaffes.

That agreeable
to

to this idea, every animal, or vegetable fubftance, advances as

faft as it

can

in

it's

revolution, to return

by a flow defcent

one

common

principle,

afcend to a

new

life.

whence it's atoms may return again, and That notwithstanding this, the fpecific
muft receive to conflitute
it

feed of one animal can never give another of a different fpecies,

on account of the preparation

fpecific feed.

it

this

M. Buffon
to

afferts,

that

what have been

life,

called fpermatic ani-

mals, are not creatures really poflefling

but fomething proper

compofe a

living creature, diftinguiming

them by

the

name

of organic

particles,

and that the moving bodies which are to be

found

in the infufions, either of animal or vegetable fubflances,

are of the fame nature.

Baron Munckhaufen fuppofed that the and firft animals, and then vegetables
;

feeds of
this

mufhrooms were bec'aufe he had ob-

ferved fome of the globules in the infufions of mufhrooms, after

moving fome

time, to begin to vegetate.

It

Microscopical Essays,
It

4%

might be

fufficient in the firft inftance to obferve, that MefT.

Needham and
and organic

Buffon, by having recourie to a vegetative force,

particles, to

account for the ex Hence, and explain

i

the nature of animalcula, and the difficulties of generation, have

fub diluted words in the place of things, and that we are no gainers by the fubftitution, unlefs they explain the nature of thefe

powers.

But

to this

we may

add, that

all

thofe

who have
as
Ellis,
ll

ex-

amined the

fubjf 6t

with accuracy

and

attention,

Bonnet,

De
ler,

Sauffure,

Baker, Wrifberg, Spalanzane, Haller,

Mul-

Leder Muller, Corti, Roffredi,

&c. difagree wi

the fore-

going gentlemen, proving that they had deceived themfelves by inaccurate experiments, and that one of them, M. Buffon, had
not feen the fpermatic animals he fuppofed himfelf to be deferring, infomuch that Mr. Needham was at lad induced to give up
his favorite hypothefis.

To

this

we may

to account for the

we can by no means pretend appearance of mod animalcula, yet we cannot

add, that though
againft
it's

help obferving, that our ignorance of the caufe of any phe-

nomenon

is

no argument

exigence.

Though we
manner

are

not, for inftance, able to account in a fatisfaclory

for the

origin of the native Americans, yet

felf

we fuppofe M. Buffon himparticles moving

would reckon

it

abfurd to maintain, that the Spaniards on

the very fame with the eels in
objects.

their arrival there

found only organic

about in diforder.
parte,

The

cafe
7

is

to

whofe animation

he

They

are

exceed-

ingly frnali in

ccmparifon with us; but, with the folar micro-

fcope,

Mr. Baker has made them affume a more refpecfable appearance; fo as to have a diameter of an inch and an half, and a proportionable length.
r

They fwam up and down very

brifkly

464
brifkiy
;

Microscopical Essays.
the motion of their interlines was very vifible
;

when the
of

water dried up,

they died with apparent agonies, and their

mouths opened very wide.

lately been,

Now, were we

to find a creature

the fize of this magnified eel gafping in a place where water had

we

certainly fhould never conclude

it

to

be merely an

organic particle, or fortuitous allemblage of them, but a fiih. Why then fhould we conclude other-wife with regard to the eel

it's

natural

ftate,

than that

it is

little fiih ?

In reafoning on

we ought ever to remember, that however eflential the diftin&ion of bodies into great and fmall may appear to us,
this fubject,

they are not fo to the Deity, with

whom,

as

Mr. Baker well exand give a

p re lies atom."

himfelf, " an

atom

is

a world, and a world but as an

Were the Deity

;

to exert his

power a
was

little

natural philofopher a view of a quantity of pafte filled with eels,

from each of whofe bodies the

microfcope

light

reflected as in the folar

our philofopher, inftead of imagining them to be

particles, (as the pafte

mere organic
mountain,)
affemblage

would appear
the

like a little

he

would probably look upon

ferpents,

whole as an
them.

of

and be

afraid to

come near

Whenever,
with

therefore,

we

difcover beings to appearance endowed

of felf-prefervation, or whatever we make the charaaeriftic of animals, neither the fmallnels of their fize, nor the impoffibility of our knowing how they came there, ought to
a principle

* caufe us to doubt of their being animated.

here infert feme extrafts of the experiments

I (hall

made by
full refu-

Mr.

Ellis at the defire

of M. Linnaeus, and which are a

tation of thofe

made by M. Needham and

B. Munekhaufen.

By
thofe

* Encyclopedia

Britannica,

vol. 1,

p.

456.

Microscopical Essays.
thofe he

4%
water,
it

made on

the infufions of muflirooms

irr

appear-

ed evidently that the feeds were put in motion by minute animafs, which arofe on the decompofition of the mufhroom thefe, by
;

pecking at the

feeds,

which are

little

round

reddifli

bodies,

moved them about with

while the
little

great agility in a variety of directions,

till

animals themfelves were fcarce vifible

the food

they had eaten difcovered them.

ramified filaments, and jointed or coralloid bodies, which

The

the microfcope difcovers to us

on the

furface of moft vegetable

and animal

infufions,

when

they become putrid, and which were

fuppofed by Mr. Needham to be zoophytes, were found by Mr. Ellis to be of that genus of fungi called mucor, many of which

have been figured by Michelius, and defcribed by Linnaeus. Their vegetation is fo quick, that they may be feen to grow and
feed under the eye of the obferver
;

other inftances of fimilar

miflakes in Mr. Needham's experiments

may be

feen in

Mr.

Ellis's

paper, Philof. Tranf. vol.

lix.

p. 138.

A fpecies of mucor arifes

fying in water
;

alfo

from the bodies of infects putrehollow feed

veflels

this

fpecies

fends forth a mafs of tranfparent

arife
;

filamentous roots,

from whence

on the
iffue in

top there

is

a hole, from which minute globules often

abundance,

and with confiderable

It will,
is

elaftic

force,

which move
little at-

about in the water.

however, be found, with a

tention, that the water

full

of very minute animalcura, which

attack thefe feeds, and thus prolong their motion; but after a
fmall fpace of time they rife to the furface,

and remain there

without any motion

frefh quantity rifes

up, and floating to

the edge of the water, remains there inactive 3 but no appearance

can

465

Microscopical Essay s.

can be obferved of detached and feparated parts becoming what

is

called microfcopic'animalcula.

Indeed,

it

is

furprizing that

Mr. Needham fhould ever take the

cies

filaments of the moiftened

grains for any thing elfe than a vegetable production, a true fpe-

of mouldinefs.

On
to a

the

25th of May,
a potatoe in
confiftence.

Ellis boiled

thermometer 70 0 Mr. the New River water till it was reduced

Fahrenheit's
,

mealy

He

put part of

it,

with an equal propor-

tion of the boiling liquor, into a cylindrical glafs vefTel, that held

fome thing

lefs

than half a wine pint, and covered

it

clofe

imme-

diately with a glafs cover.

At the fame time he fliced an unboiled

potatoe, and, as near as he could judge, put the fame quantity

into a glafs veflel of the

fame kind, with the fame proportion of

it

New

River water not boiled, and covered

veffels clofe to

with a glafs cover,

and placed both

each other.

On

the 26th of

May, twenty- four hours

firft

afterwards,

he ex-

amined a fmall drop of each by the

microfcope, whofe focal diflance
and, to his
*

magnifier of Wilfon's
at Tv part

is

reckoned

of an inch

amazement, they were both

full

of animalcula of a

linear fliape, very diftinguifhable,

celerity
;

moving

to

and

fro with great

fo that there
life

appeared to be more particles of animal

than vegetable

in each drop.

This experiment he repeatedly

that even in winter,
leaft in

tried,

and always found

it
;

to
fo at

fucceed in proportion to the heat of the circumambient air

if the liquors

are kept properly

will fucceed.

warm,

two or three days the experiment

The

Microscopical Essays.
The
animalcula are infinitely
fraaller

467

than fpermatic animals,

and of a very different fhape ; the truth of which every accurate obferver will foon be convinced of, whofe curiofity may lead him
to compare them, and he
is

perfuaded they will find they are no

way

akin.

Having learnt from Mr. De

Sauffure, of Geneva, that he found

one kind of thefe animalcula infuforia that increafe by dividing acrofs into nearly two equal parts, and that the infufion was made

from hemp-feed, he procured a quantity of this feed, fome of it he put into New River water, fome into diftilled water, and fome
into very hard

pump

water

the refult was, that in proportion to

in which they were kept, the heat of the weather, or the warmth minute animalcula in all of there was an appearance of millions

the infufions

and, fome time after, fome oval ones

larger than the
firft,

made

their

which ilill appearance; thefe were much in an undulatory fro motion, and to wriggled thefe continued time that they moved turning themfelves round very quick all the
;

forwards.

Mr.
fins

Ellis

found

out,

by mere

accident, a

method to make

their

appear very diftindly, efpecially in the larger kind of animalcula, which are common to molt vegetable infufions, fuch as
the terebella.
at

This has a longifh body, with a cavity or groove

like

one end,

a gimlet:

by applying a

fmall ftalk of the

frefh

horfefhoe geranium,

(or geranium zonale of Linnaeus)

broken, to a drop of water in min-. # Taail find that they

which thefe animalcula are fwimwill,

become

torpid inftantly, confins

their tracting themfelves into an oblong. oval Ihape, with

ex

tended

like fo

many

bridles all o

round

their bodies.

The-

fins are
***

468

Microscopical Essay s.
of the middle of their bodies.
kill

in length about half the diameter

Before he difcovered
different kinds of la Its

this

expedient, he tried to
;

them'

by

and
fins

fpirits

but though they were deftroyed

by
for

this

means, their

were

fo contracted, that

he could not

diftinguifh

them

in the leaft.
if

After lying in this ftate of torpidity

a drop of clean water be applied to

two or three minutes,

fins

them, they

will recover their fhape,

and fwim about immediately,

rendering their

again invifible.

It

is

one of the wonders of the modern philofophy to have

invented means for bringing creatures,- fo imperceptible as the various

animalcula, under our cognizance and inflection.

One

might well have deemed an object that was a thoufand times too little to affect our fenfe, as perfectly removed from human difcovery
;

yet

we have extended our

In

fight over animals to

whom

thefe would be mountains.

reality,

the

greater

number of

microfeopie animalcula are of fo fmall a

fize, that

through a lens ?

whofe

focal diftanee

is
;

the tenth part of an inch, they only apthat

is,

pear as fo

many

points

their parts cannot

be diflinguifh-

ed, fo that they appear

from the vertex of

object,
will

that lens under

If

an

angle not exceeding the minute of a degree.

the magnitude of fuch an
it

we

invert igate

be found nearly equal to

of an inch long,

Suppofing, therefore, thefe animalcula to

is,

be of a cubic figure, that

thicknefs, their
fraction

of the fame length, breadth,, and

magnitude would be exprefled by the cube of the

that
is,

WUj

by

the

each animaleulum
definitely fmall

is

equal to

number 10 oooooooo6oooo that is* fo many parts of a fquare inch.

)

This contemplation of animalcula has rendered the idea of

inr

bodks very

familiar to us

a mite was formerly

thought the limit of littlenefs, but we are not

now

fui prized

to

Microscopical Essays.
be told of animals many millions of times fmaller than a mite
there are

469
;.

for

fame animalcula
is

fo fmall, that,

upon

calculation, the

whole earth
to thefe

not found large enough to be a third proportional

little

animals, and the whaie in the ocean.*

flill

Thele coninternal

fiderations are

further heightened,

by

reflecting
all

on the

ftructure of animalcula, for

each

mud

have

the proportion,
is

fymmetry, and adjuftmeni of that organized texture, which

difpenfibly neceflary for the feveral functions of
life,

in-

and each

muft be furnifhed with proper organs, tubes,

the fluids, digefting
it's

Sec. for fecreting

it's

food, and propagating

fpecies.

Having thus given a general

cula,

idea of the properties

of animal-

we now proceed

to defcribe the various individuals, following

the arrangements of O. F. Muller,f and giving the reader the difcriminating characters by which he has diftinguimed them, abridging, enlarging, or altering the defcriptions, to render

them

in

fome

inftanees
I hope,

more

exact, in others lefs tedious,

and upon the whole

more

interefting to the reader.

METHODICAL DIVISION OF THE ANIMALCULA INFUSORIA**

I.

Thofe

that

have no external organs..

t<,

Monas

punctiforme.

A mere point.

2, Proteus

mutabile.

Mutable..

3.
* Cyclopedia Britannica, Art. Animalcule.

Volvox

*:

Miiller Animalcula Infuforia, Fluviatilia et Marina*.

o
3.

Microscopical Essays.
Volvox: fphaericum.
Enchelis
Spherical.

4.

cylindraceum.

Cylindrical.

5.

Vibrio

elongatum.

Long.

* Membranaceous.

6.

Cyclidium: ovale.

Oval.

7.

Paramecium: oblongum:
Kolpoda: fmuatum.

Oblong.

8.

Sinuous.

9.

Gonium

angulatum.

With

angles.

10. Burfaria.

Hollow

like a purfe.

II.

Thofe that have external organs.

in a {hell.

* Naked, or not inclofed

Cercaria: caudatum.

3.

With

tail.

2.

Trichoda

crinitum.

3.

Kerona : corniculatum.
Himantopus
cirratum,

With

horns.

4.

Girrated,

Microscopical Essays.
5.

471
ciliated.

Leucophra

ciliatum undique.

Every part

6. Vorticella

ciliatum apice.

The apex
(hell.

ciliated.

*.

Covered with a

7.

Brachionus

ciliatum apice.

The apex
a
s.

ciliated,*

I.

Mgn

Vermis inconfpicuus, fimpliflimus, pellucidus, punftiformis. An invifible,* pellucid, fimple, pun&iform worm.

1.

Monas Termo

Monas

gelatinofa.

Gelatinous

Mona.
fpall.

Animalcules femblable a des points,

Bullae continue motu, Bonanni

op. phyf.

I,

p0

obf, p. 174.

Among

the various animalcula

this
is

which arc difcovered by the

and the moft fimple
;

microfeope,

the

moft minute,

fmall jelly-like

point,

eluding the powers of the compound:

;

microfeope, and being but imperfectly feen by the fmgle thefe, and fome others of the mona kind, are fo delicate and flender5
that
it is

no wonder they often efcape the

;

fight

of many

who

have examined infufions with attention

in a full light they totally

difappear
* By
eve,

invifible

we

only

mean

that they are too fmall to be difcerned

by the naked

472

Microscopical Essays.
it

difappear, their thin and tranfparent forms blending as

were

with the water in which they fwim.

Small drops of infufed water are often fo

is

full

of thefe, that

it

not eafy to difcover the lead empty fpace, fo that the water
feems changed into another fubftance
lefs

it-

felf

tranfparent, but

confifting

of an innumerable number of globular points, thick

fown together.
fimilar to that

water, the

may be perceived, fomething when the fun's rays mine on the animalcula being violently agitated, or in a commoIn this a motion
is

which

obferved

tion like unto a hive of bees.

It is

very

common

in ditch water,

and

in

almoft

all

infufions,

both

of animal

and vegetable

fubftances.

2.

Monas Atomus.
Plate

Monas albida pun&o, variabili inftru&a, White mona, with a variable point.
This animalculum appears
highly magnified,
is is

XXV.

Fig.

as a

white point, which,

;

when

it is

fomewhat of an egg fhape

the fmaller end

marked with a black point, the fituation of this is fometimes varied, and found at the other end of the animalculum; fometimes two black points are to be feen crofling the
generally

middle of the body.

It
it

was found in

fea

water that had been kept the whole winter

;

was

not, however, very fcetid

there were

no other animalcula

in the

fame water.

3.

Monas

Ml CROSCOPICAL Essays,
3.

473

Monas Punclum.

Monas

nigra.

A black mona.
folid,

A very minute point,

They
ing motion
;

opake and black, round and long.

and move with a flow waverof pears,

are difperfed in the infufion,

were found in a

foetid infufion

4.

Monas

Ocellus*

Monas

hyalina

pun&o

centrali notata.

Tranfparent like

talc.,

with a point in the middle.

The margin
irregularly,
is

black,

and a black point

in the middle

it

moves
fre-

found in ditches covered with conferva, and

quently with the cyclidium milium.

5,

Monas Lens.

Monas
This
a round
is

hyalina.

Tranfparent mona, of a talcy appearance.

among

the

number of the

fmaller animalcula, nearly

it is

of

figure,

and

fo pellucid, that

not poffible to difcover

the leaft veftige of intefiines.

If

Though

they

may

often

be feen

ate,

yet they are more generally collected together, forming

a kind of veiicular or membranaceous mafs.

c\

Contrary to the

of other animalcula, they leek the edges of the evais

porating water, the confequence of which

de< hv

aim oft immediate

When

the water

is

nearly evaporated, a few dark (hades

are oerceived,

probably occafioned by the wrinkling of the body.

3

Allow

474

Microscopical Essays,
motion, confined to one fpot,
this in

A flow tremulous
ceived at intervals
;

may be
lively,

per-

little

time becomes more

and

foon pervades the whole drop.

It's

motions

are, in general,

may fometimes be
fpecies,

feen

two united together fwimming among the reft while in this

; ;

very quick

fituation they have been miftaken by fome writers for a different

whereas

it is

the fame generating another

by

divifion.

It
is

is

to
;

be found

in all water,

though but feldom

in that which;

pure

they are in great plenty in the fu miner in ditch water,

alio in infufions

of animal or vegetable
are to be found in the

fubftanc.es,

made
;

either

of

frefh or fait water,

myriads being contained in a drop

filth

numbers,,

of various

fizes,,

of the teeth.

The

animal cula of this and the

firft

fpecies are fo

numerous

as.

to exceed all calculation,

though they are contained in a very

confined fpace,

6.

Monas Mica.
Mona, marked with a
circle.

Monas, circulo
This lucid
the

notata.

little

point

may be

discovered with the third lens of

common
;

fingle microfcope,

when

the magnifying

power

is
it

increafed

it

appears either of an oval or fpherical figure, for

It
is

affumes either at pleafure.

ellipfe infcribed as
it

tranfparent,
it's

and has a fmall

;

were within

circumference

this ellipfe is
little

moveable, being fometimes in the middle, fometimes a

to-

wards the fore -part

r 9

at others nearer the hind-part.

There

Microscopical Essays,
There
round
kidneys
arid the
is

475
;

a confiderable variety in

it's

motions

it

often turns
iske

for a long time in the

fame place

an appearance

two

may

fometimes be perceived in the middle of the body,

is

animalculum

beautifully encompaffed with a kind of

halo, arifing, moil probably,

from

invifible

and vibrating

hairs.

They

are to be found in the pureft waters.

7.

Monas

Tranquilla.

Monas
rent

ovata, hyalina, margine

nigro.

Egg-fhaped, tranfpa-

mona, with a black margin.

fpot>

Thefe animated points feem to be nearly fixed to one

where they have a vacillatory motion.

rounded with a halo, and
rather fpherical, at others quadrangular.

They

are frequently fur-

differ in their figure,

being fometimes

The

black margin

is

not always to be found, and fometimes one would almoft be tempted to think it had a tail. It is found in urine which has

been kept
mals
live:

for a time.

The

urine

is

covered, after

it

has remained
thefe ani-

in the veflel, with a dark-coloured pellicule, in

which

although the urine was preferved for feveral months,

therein.
It

no new animalcula were obferved

fhewn, that a drop of urine
yet
is

has been already

in general fatal to other animalcula,

we

find that

it

has animated beings of a peculiar kind* approit.

priated to,

and

living in

8.

Monas

47^

Microscopical Essays.
8.

Monas Lamellula.
Flat tranfparent monas.

Monas, hyalina comprefla.

This
moftly found in
as

is

fait
it

water.
is

It

is

of a whitifh colour,

more than twice

long as

broad, tranfparent, with a dark

it

margin, the motion vacillatory

often appears as

if double,.

9.

Monas

Pulvifculu.0 *

Monas

hyalina, margini virente.

Tranfparent mona, with a

green margin.

Little fpherical pellucid grains,

of different

fizes,

the circum-

ference green, a green bent line pafles

through the middle of

fome, probably indicating that they are near feparating, or dividing, into
at others fix

two

diftincl;

animalculurn

fometimes three or four,

and

feven, or

even more, are collected together.

are moftly found

They rove about with a wavering motion, and in the month of March in marftiy grounds.
10.

Monas Uva.

Monas
It is

hyalina gregaria.

Tranfparent gregarious monas.

not eafy to decide on the nature of thefe

confift
;

little

affemblages

of corpufcles, which fometimes

four, and frequently of many
fizes,

of five, at other times of

more

the corpufcles are of different

according to the number collecled in one group.

When
col leledi

Microscopical Essays,
collected in a heap, the only
lution, or rolling round.

477
is

motion they have

a kind of revo-

The
as

fmaller particles feparate from the

larger, often dividing into

stituent particles in the

many group when

;

portions as there are confeparated, they

move about

with incredible fwiftnefs.

i

To
ther

try

whether

this

was a group of animalcula collected toge-

by chance, or whether it was their natural (late to be thus grouped together, the following experiment was made. A fingle
corpufcle was taken the

moment
itfelf ;
it

it

was feparated from the heap,

iize,

and placed in a glafs by

it

foon increafed in

and when

had attained nearly the fame bulk as the group from which it was feparated, the furface began to aflume a wrinkled appearance,

which gradually changed till it became exactly This new-formed group was agai parent group.
like the preceding one,

fimilar to the
i

decompofed,

and

in a little

time the feparated particles

became

as large as that

from which they proceeded.

of infufions.

It is

found

in a variety

II.

Proteu

s,

Vermis inconfpicuus, fimpliciffimus, pellucidus, mutabilis.

invifible,

An

very limple, pellucid worm, of a variable form,

11.

Proteus Diffluens.

Proteus in ramulos diffluens, Fig. 2 and 3, Plate

teus,

XXV.

Pro-

branching

itfelf

out in a variety of directions.

A very

478

Microscopical Essays.
very

fmgular animalculum,
;

appearing only as a grey

mucous mafs
different

it is

filled
is

with a number of black globules, of

it's

fizes,

and

continually changing

figure,
is

Being
ealily

formed of a gelatinous pellucid fubflance, the fhape

altered,

and

it

puflies

out branches

of

different

lengths and

breadths.

The

globules which are within divide and pafs

imme-

diately into the

new-formed

parts, always

following the various

that

changes of form

in the animalcula.
little

The changes
do not

are ob-

ferved in the form of this

creature,

arife

from any
internal

extraneous caufe,

but are entirely dependent

on

it's

powers.

It

is

to be
it

met with but very feldom

the indefatigable Muller

only faw

twice, although

he examined fuch an immenfe variety

of infu lions.

It is

to be found in fenny fituations.

12.

Proteus Tenax.

Proteus

in

fpiculum diffluens,

Fig.

4 and

5,

Plate

XXV.

"Proteus, running out into a fine point.

A gelatinous
changes
firft
it's

pellucid body, ftored

with black molecules

it

form like the preceding, but always in a regular order,

itfelf

extending

out in a

{trait line,

the lower part terminating

an

a cute bright point,

all

being

without any interlines, and the globules collected in the upper part, it next draws the pointed
it

tend up towards the middle of the body, fwelling

rform.

into a

round

The

contraction goes on for fome time, after which the

lower

Micros c.o pic a l Essays.

lower part
point
is

479
in Fig. 4
It
;

is

fwelled out as

it

is

reprefented

the

afterwards projected from

five different
It It

this ventricofe part.

it

pafles
is

through

forms before

arrives at that

which

feen

at Fig. 4.

fcarcely
is

moves from one

fpot, only

bending about

fideways.

to

be found in river water, where the

nitida

grows,

-a

the

tail,

c the head,, d the protuberant fwelling.

III.

O L V O X.
pellucidus,

Volvox

inconfpicuus

fimpliciffimus,

fpheericus.

An

invifible,

very fimple, pellucid, fphserical worm.

13.

Volvox Punclum,
puncxo lucido.
Spherical, of a

Volvox

fphaericus, nigricans,

black colour, with a lucid point.

A fmall
is

globule

one hemifphere

is

opake and black, the

;

other has a pellucid crystalline appearance

obfervable in the dark part.
It

vehement motion
tremulous manner,

moves

in a

and often pades through the drop, turning round as if upon an Many may be often feen joined together in their paffage axis.
through the water, they fome times move
as in a
little

whirlpool,

and

then feparate.

It is

found

in

great numbers on the furface of

fcetid fea water.

14.

Vol-

480

Microscopical Essays.
14.

Vol vox Granulum.

and

Volvox

fphaericus, viridis, peripheria hyalina.

Sphasrical

green, the circumference of a bright colour.

There feems

to

be a kind of green opake nucleus

is

in this ani-

malculum
flowly.

the circumference

tranfparent.

It is to
;

be found

generally in the

month of June,

in

marihy places

it

moves but

15.

Volvox Globulus.
Globular volvox, the

Volyox globofus,

poftice fubobfcurus.

hinder part fomewhat obfcure.

This globular animalculum

lens
;

is

ten times larger than the

mona
form.

it

verges fometimes a

little

towards the oval in

it's

and make the hinder part of the commonly a flow fluttering kind of body appear opake motion, but if it is difturbed the motion is more rapid.
interlines are juft vifible,
;

The

it

has

It is

found in

mod infufions
16.

of vegetables.

Volvox

Pilula.

Volvox

fphaericus, interaneis

immobilibus virefcentibus.
interlines;

Small

round volvox, with immoveable green

This is a fmall tranfparent animalculum it's inteftines are immoveable, of a green colour, and are placed near the middle of
;

the

MlCROSC O PIC AL Essays.

the body, the edges often yellow
;

a fmall obtufe incifion

may be

difcovered

on the edge, which

This
little

is,

perhaps, the mouth of the

to be encompaifed

animalculum.

creature appears
If this
is

with a kind of halo, or

circle.

occafioned by the vibra-

tory motion of any fringe of hairs, they are inviflble to the eye,

even when

aflifted

by the microfcope.
at

It

feems to have a kind of rotatory motion

one time flow,

at another quick,

and

is

to be

found

in water

where the lemna

minor grows, fometimes as

late as the

month of December,

17.

Volvox Grandinella.
Spherical

Volvox

fpha^ricus, opacus, interaneis immobilibus.

interlines.

and opake, with immoveable

This

is

much

fmaller than the preceding, and

;

is

marked with

feveral circular lines

terior molecules.
It
is

no motion

is

to be perceived

among

the in-

fometimes moves about in a

it

(trait line,

fomefpojt ?

times

it's

courfe

irregular, at others

keeps in the fame

with a tremulous motion.

i8.

Volvox

Socialis.

Volvox
diilances

fphasricus, rnoleculis cryftallinis, acqualibus diflantibus.

Spherical volvox,

with cryftalline molecules,

placed

at

equal

from one another.

When

482

Microscopical Essays.
very

When
fome
It

much

magnified, this animalculum feems to have

relation to the vorticella facialis, as feen with the

naked eye.

confifts

of cryflalline molecules, difpofed in a fphere, and

;

filling

up

the whole circumference

are included in a

they are

all

of an equal

fize.

Whether they

common membrane,
ftalk, as in

or whether

they are united by one

common

the vorticella facialis,

has not been difcovered.

figure of the
little

We
is

are

alfo
it is

ignorant of the exacl;

particles

of which
ufed,

compofed

when

a very
disis

large magnifying

power

fome black points may be

cerned in the center of the cryftalline molecules.

The motion

fometimes rotatory, fometimes from right to

trary.
It is

left,

and the con-

found where the chara vulgaris has been kept.

tg.

Volvox

Sphsericula.

Volvox

fphaericus, moleculis fimilaribus rotundis.

Spherical

volvox, with round molecules.

This fpherule
ferent fizes.
l

is

formed of pellucid homogeneous

points,

of dif-

It

moves {lowly about

a quarter of a circle
left to right.

from

ight to left,

and then back again from

20.

Volvox Lunula.
moleculis
fimilaribus
lunatis.

Volvox

hemifphaericus,

An
Plate

hemifpherical

volvox,

with lunular molecules.

Fig. 7,

XXV.
Is

Mic ros copic At Essays.

Is

483

a final 1 roundifti tranfparent body, compofed of innumerable

molecules, homogeneous, pellucid, and of trie fhape of the in it's full quarter, without any common margin.

moon

It

is

in a continual

twofold motion

the one of the whole mafs

turning (lowly round, the other of the molecules one

other.
fpring.

among

the

They

are found in

marfhy places in the beginning of

21.

Vol vox Globator.

Volvox
volvox.

fphaericus

membranaceus.

Spherical membranaceous

This is a tranfparent globule, of a greenifh colour the fcetus of fmaller greenifh globules. It becomes whiter and compofed is brighter with age, moves flowly round it's axis, and may be per;

ceived by the naked eye.

But

to the microfcope the fuperficies of this pellucid

if it

membrane

appears covered with molecules, as

were granulated, which has occafioned fome obfervers to imagine it to be hairy the
;

round pellucid molecules that are fixed

larger! in thofe that are

in the center are generally

young.

The

exterior molecules

may be

wiped

off,

leaving the

membrane naked.
are of a proper fize,
ft

When

the

young ones

the

membrane
mother

opens, and they pafs through the

{fare

after this, the

melts away.
fuperficies

They fometimes change

3

their fpherical figure, the

being flattened in different places.

Moft

484

Microscopical Essays.
fpeak of finding eight
lefier

Mod authors
larger
;

globules

wkhin the
progeny
is

but Muller fays, that he has counted thirty or forty of

fixes.
;

different

This wonderful incapfulation of

it

it's

well

known

indeed

often exhibits itfelf

big with children and

grandchildren.

Leeuwenhoeck was the

firft

who

noticed this curious animalcu-

lum, and depicted it; a circum fiance which has not been mentioned

by Baker and other microfcopic writers who have defcribed it. It may be found in great plenty in ftagnant waters in fpring and fummer, and in infufions of hemp-feed and tremella.
thus defcribed

It

is

by Mr. Baker.
tail,

This fmgular minute water

animal, feen before the microfcope, appears to be exa&ly globular,

without either head,

or

fins.

It

moves

in all directions,

forwards or backwards, up or down, rolling over and over like a bowl, fpinning horizontally like a top, or gliding along fmoothly
/

without turning

itfelf at all.
;

Sometimes
and when

it's

motions are very

pleafes
it

flow, at other times very fwift

it

can turn
it's

round
place.

as

upon an axis The body is tranfparent, except where

which are probably
is
it's

very nimble, without moving out of

the circular fpots

furface of the
points,

are placed,

young.

The

body

in

fome

as

it

were dotted

all

over with

little

and
alfo

in others as if granulated like ftiagreen.

Mr. Baker thought

that in general

it

appeared

as if it

was

fet

round with fhort move-

able hairs.

By
are at

another writer they are thus defcribed.

firft

Thefe animalcula

very fmall, but grow fo large as to be difcerned with

;

the naked eye

they are of a yellowifti green colour, globular

%ure

Microscopical E s s a ys.
figure,

485
;

and

in fub fiance

membranaceous and tranfparent

filial 1

in the

midft ofthis fubftance feveral

globes

may be

perceived;

each of thefe are fmaller animalcula, which have alfo their diaphanous membrane, and contain within themfelves ftill fmaller

which may be diftinguilhed by the affiftance of very powerful glafTes. The larger globules may be feen to efcape from the parent, and then increafe in fize, as we have already
generations,

obferved,

22.

Volvox Morum.
orbicularis, centro moleculis fphaericis

Vol vox membranaceus

viridibus.

Membranaceous

orbicular, with fpherical green mole-

cules in the center.

This animal culum has fome Tefemblance to the volvox uva,

but
is

fufBciently diftinguifhed

by the furrounding bright orbicular

is

membrane.

The middle

part

full

of clear green globules.

The globules feldom move, though a quivering motion

fometimes be perceived at the center.
tion,
It

may
mo-

has a flow rotatory

and

is

found amongft the lemna, in the months of October

and December.

23.

Volvox Uva,

Volvox globofus, moleculis fphaericis virefcentibus nudis. Globular volvox, compofed of green fpherical globules, which
are not inclofed in a

common membrane.
This

486

Microscopical Essays
medium between the being like the one com

This animalculum feems to be a kind of

volvox

pillula

and the gonium pectorale,

pofed of green fpherules, and in form refembling the other.

It eonfifts

of a congeries of equal globules of a

;

greenifti colour,
is

with a bright fpot in the middle

the whole mafs

fometimes of

a fpherical form, fometimes oval, without any

common memit,

brane
this
is

a kind of halo

may be

perceived round

but whether

occafioned by the motion of any invifible hairs has not

been difcovered.

The mafs
;

generally

moves from

right to

left,

and from

left

to right

fcarce
It

any motion can be difcovered

in

was found in the month of Auguft, Two mafTes in water where the lemna polyrrhiza was growing. of thefe globules have been feen joined together. They contain from four to fifty of the globules, of which a folitary one may
the globules themfelves.

now and

then be found.

24.

Volvox Vegetans.

Volvox ramulis fimplicibus

minals.
in a
little

& dichitomis,

rofula globulari ter-

A volvox with fimple dichitomous branches,

bunch
of globules.

terminating

It eonfifts

of a number of floccofe opake branches, which are

invifible to the

naked eye

at the

apex of thefe there

is

little

-congeries of very minute oval pellucid corpufcles.

Muller

at
;

firft

thought

it

to

be a fpecies of microfcopic and

river fertularia

but

.afterwards

he found the bunches about in the water with a proper fpontaneous motion. fwimming Many old branches were found deferted of their globules, while

quitting, the branches, and

Microscopical Essays.
the younger branches were furnifhed with them.
river water in
It

487
was found in

November 1779 and

IV.

1780.

N C H E L

I S.

Vermis inconfpicuus, fimplieifTimus, cylindraceus.

fible, iimple,

An

invi-

cylindric

worm.
Enchelis Viridis.

25.

Enchelis fubcylindrica, antice oblique truncata.

lis,

Green enche-

of a fub cylindric figure, the fore-part truncated.

This
obtufe

is

an opake, green, fubcylindric animalculum, with an

the fore-part terminating in an acute truncated angle

tail,

the interlines obfcure and indiftincl.

It

is

continually varying in

it's

motion, turning from right

to left.

26.

Enchelis Pun&ifera.

Enchelis
nata,

viridis, fubcylindracea, antice obtufa, poflice

acumithe

Fig. 8,

Plate

XXV.

Green

enchelis,

fubcylindric,

fore-part obtufe, the hinder-part pointed.

It is

an opake animalculum, of a green colour

a,

there

is

a fmall

pellucid fpot in the fore-part

in

which two black points may

c, croffes

be feen
body.

a kind of double band, c

the middle of the

;

The

hinder part

is

pellucid

and pointed

an incifion
is

4 88
is

Microscopical Essays.
When
found
motion, the whole ofdt appears opake and

difcoverable at the apex of the fore-part, which feems to be

in

the mouth.
green.
Is

in marfhes.

27.

Enchelis Defes.

Enchelis

viridis, cylindrica,

fubacuminata gelatinofa.

Green,

cylindrical, gelatinous, tlie ends

fomewhat pointed.

The body
quite opake
is
;

is

round, the colour a very dark green, fo that

is

it

is

the fore-part

bluntly rounded

off,

the hinder part

fomewhat tapering, but no

finifhes

with a rounded end.

;

From

it's

opacity,

internal parts can

be difcovered

there

is

a degree of

tranfparency near the ends.

It

is

exceeding

idle,

moving very flowly

to be found,

though

rarely, in

an infufion of lemnee.
28.

Enchelis Similis.

Enchelis obovato-epaca, interaneis mobilibus. Enchelis of an

egg-fhape, opake, with moveable interlines.

an opake body, with a pellucid margin both extremities under one are obtufe, but the upper one much more fo than the It's motion is generally it is filled with moveable fpherules.
It is
;

quick, either to the right or the

hairs, becaufe,

left

it is

probably furnifned with

when moving

rapidly, the margin appears fin-

ated.

It is

found in water that has been kept for months.

29.

En-

Microscopical Essays,
29.

489

Enchelis Serotma.

Enchelis

ovato-cylindracea.

interaneis

immobilibus.

chelis partly oval, partly cylindrical, the interior parts

able.

Enimmove-

An oval

animalculum, round, the fore-part (mailer than the

;

hind-part, the margin of a black colour

it

is

replete with grey

vcncular molecules, and moves flowly,

go.

Enchelis Nebulofa.

Enchelis ovato-cylindracea,

interaneis

manifeftis mobilibus*
interlines.

Oval and cylindric

enchelis, with vifible

moveable

The body
often
filled

is

ftiaped like

an egg, the
;

fore- part

narrow, and
it

with opake confufed inteftines

It is
is

in

moving,

elevates
as

the fore-part of the body.

found

in

the fame water

the

cyclidium glaucoma, but

times -.more fcarce,

three times larger, and an hundred

31.

Enchelis Seminulum

Enchelis cylindracea sequalisJ

Enchelis equally cylindric-.

It is

a cylindrical animalculum, twice as long as

;

it is

broad,

the fore and hind-part of the fame fize

the

inteil ines in
It

the fore-

part are pellucid, thofe in the hinder-part obfcure.

moves by

afcending and defcending alternately.

3

It

may

be feen fometimes

fwimming

Microscopical Essays,
fwimming about with the
extremities joined together.

Found

in

water that has been kept for fome days.

32.

Enchelis Intermedia.

Enchelis cylindracea, hyalina, margine nigricante.

cal enchelis, tranfparent, with a blackifh margin.

Cylindri-

monas punclum, the

milium.
It is

This animalculum forms an intermediate kind between the enchelis feminulum, and the cychdium

one of the fmalleft among the animalcula.

it

The

body is
reft

has no vifible interlines, the fore and hindfize, the edge of a deeper colour than the part are of an equal
tranfparent,

of the body

a point

is

to be feen in the middle

of fome of

them, in others

it is

as if a line palled

through the middle.

33*

Enchelis Ovulum.

Enchelis
enchelis.

cylindrico-ovata

hyalina.

Egg-fhaped tranfparent

tranfparent, round, egg-fhaped

fide,

animalculum; nothing
;

is

difcovered within
increafed
ficies,

even by the third magnifier

but with an
the fuper-

power fome long foldings may be feen on and here and there a few bright molecules.
34.

Enchelis Pirum.

Enchelis inverfe conica, poftice hyalina,

the hinder-part tranfparent,

Pear-form enchelis,

This

Microscopical Essays,
This
berant,
;

49 1
is

enclielis

is

lively

and

pellucid, the fore-part

protu-

and

filled

with molecules, the hinder-part fmaller and

empty it has moveable molecular inteftines. It's motion is rapid, palling backwards and forwards through the diameter of
the drop.
tubercle,

When

at reft,

it

feems to have a

little

(welling, or

on the middle of the body.

35.

Enchelis Tremula.

Enchelis ovato-cylindracea, gelatina.

drical, gelatinous.

Oval

enchelis, cylin-

This

is

alfo to
it is

the end of

be placed amongft the mod minute animalcula rather pointed, and has a tremulous motion it
;

almolt induces one to think

tures in

it

has a

tail.

Two of thefe little

crea-

may

at times

be perceived to adhere together.

aurelia,

an infufion with the paramsecia

It was found and many other ani-

malcula,

36.

Enchelis Conftricla*

Enchelis obovata, cryftallina, medio coar&ata.

chelis, crystalline,

Suboval en-

with a ftriclure in the middle.

An
found

as if a firing

animalculum of an oval fhape, the middle part drawn in, was tied round its It is of a very fmall fize, and is
in fait water.

Microscopical Essays,
37.
Enclielis eliptica,
tic

Enchelis Pulvifculus,
viridi.

interaneorum con gene

Of an

dip--

fhape, with a congeries of green interlines.

It

is

a round animalculum, pellucid, the fore-part obtafe,

trie

hind-part rather fharp,

marked with green

fides

fpots

myriads
;

may

fometimes be feen wandering about in one drop

amoncr the crreen matter on the
bas.

it is

found

of the

veflels in

which water

been kept

for

fome

time.,

38..

Enchelis Fufus..

Enchelis cylindracea, utraque extremitate anguftiore truncata,

Cylindrical enchelis, both ends truncated.

round and tranfparent, the fore and hind-part fmaller than the reft of the body, and equally fo, the ends a little truncated. In the infide a long and fomewhat winding interline,
is

The body

a fky-coloured bright
verfely fituated,

fluid,

and.

fome black molecules tranf-

may be

difcerned.

It's

motions are languid

was found

in

pure water,.

39.

EncheUs

Fritillus.

A eylindric enchelisj

the fore-part truncated.

Microscopical ESS AY'S.

This -is- one of the moll tranfparent animakula
;

m
the hinder-

part of an obtufe convexity, the fore-part truncated.

Mulkr

fufpe&s that there

terlines

is

a rotatory organ in the fore-part.

It

No
;

in-

can be feen.

runs backwards and forwards through

fomethe drop in a diametrical line, with a wavering motion times turns round for a moment, but prefently enters on. it's,
ufual courie..
Is

found, in an infufion of grafs and hay>

40.

Enchelis Caudata..

Enchelis elongata, antice obtufa, poflice in caudam hyalinam

attenuata, Fig. 9, Plate fore- part obtufe, the
tail.

XXV.

Enchelis with a long body, the*

hinder-part diminifhing into a kind of

The body
cules divided

is

of a grey colour, pellucid, with globular moleother,

from each

and difperfed through the whole

the hind-part, b 5

body; the

fore-part,

a,

thick and obtufe,

cryfiallme and fmall, the

with.

end truncated.

It is

hut feldom met

41.

Enchelis Epiftomium.

Enchelis cylindrico-elongata, apice gracili fubglobofo.

chelis

En-

with a long cylindric body, the fore-part flender and;

roundiflu.

In

494
It is

Microscopical Essays.
among
the fmailer
;

animalcula the body is cylindrical bright, the hind-part obtufe, the fore-part fmaller, and terminating in a globule a black line may now and then be per-

and

ceived

down

the middle of

it.

42.

Enchelis

Gemmata.
duplici,
in

Enchelis

cylindracea,

ferie

globulorum
with

collum
the

hyalinum produ&a.

Enchelis

a cylindrical

body,

upper part prolonged into a tranfparent neck, a double feries of globules running down the body. It's motion is flow, and generally
in a (trait line
;

it is

found in ditch-water where the lemna thrives.

43.

Enchelis Retrograda.

Enchelis hyalina, antice anguftata, apice globulari. Tranfparent enchelis, the fore-part rather fmaller, and terminating in

a fmall globule, Fig. 11 and 12, .Plate

XXV.
no
vifible interlines,

It

has a gelatinous tranfparent body;

is

though a pellucid globule

the body
is

difcoverable near the hinder part;

thicker!: in 'the
It

middle, and grows fmaller towards

fide-ways, fometimes in a retroit's

each end.

generally
;

moves

grade manner

and

if it is

obftru&ed in
1 1

motion, draws

itfelf

up

as

it is

reprefented at Fig.

44.

Enchelis Feflinans.

Enchelis cylindrica oblonga, obtufa, antice hyalina.

cylindrical enchelis
;

Oblong

the ends obtufe, the fore-part tranfparent.

The

'icroscopical Essays.
The body
ends obtufe
interlines,
;

495

is

round, of an equal

fize

throughout, and both

is

more than half

full

the length

without any vifible

the lower end

of veficular, pellucid, minute glois

bules
it

a large globular veficle

alfo to

be found in the fore -part;

other,
in a vacillatory

moves quickly from one

It

fide

to the

manner.

was found

in

fea.

water.

45.

Enchelis Farcimen.

Enchelis cylindracea curvata utrinque truncata.

enchelis,

cylindric

crooked and truncated

at

both ends.

The body of
it is

this

is

cylindrical, about four times longer than

at

wide, even, truncated

;

both ends, the

interlines

opake, and

not to be diflinguifhed
fo as to

it

turns the extremities oppofite

S.
It is

ways,

form the

figure

of an

to be found in water that

has flood for fome time, though but feldom.

Joblot found

it

in

an infufion of blue bottles;

it

moves

in

an undulatory manner,

but very flowly,

4.6,

Enchelis Index.

Enchelis inverfe conica, apicis altero angulo produtlo.

chelis in the

En-

form of an inverted cone, one edge of the apex

as to

produced out fo

form an angle with the other

of a grey colour,

part.

The body
conical figure

rather opake,
;

and of a long

the lower end obtufe, the fore-part thick, one

fide of this part projecting like a finger

from the edge; two very

This

fmall projections proceed alfo fometimes from the lower end,

4q6

M.I-C

roscdpical Essays.
projec"tioiiss

This ammalcultim has the power of retracting thefe

and making both ends appear

i

obtufe.

It

moves about but

lowly, and was found in water with the

lemna minor.

47.

Enchelis Truncus.

Enchelis cylindrica, fubcapitata. Fig. 10, Plate

drical enchelis with

XXV.

Cylin-

a kind of head.
the

This

is

the iargefl of this kind of animalcula;

body

is,

cylindrical,

mucoie, grey, long and

rather opake, the fore-part

like three teeth (c)
fides
fizes
;

globular, the hind-part obtufe.

Something

may

be fometimes feen to proceed from one of the Globules of different alter it's fhape confiderably.
feen within the body.
It

it

can

may be
left.

rolls about (lowly from right to

48.

Enchelis Larva*

Enchelis elongata, medio papillula utrinque notata.

enchelis, with

long

two

little

nipples proje&ing from the middle of the

body, one on each

fide.

It is
is

long, round, and

;

filled

with grey molecules

the fore-part
is

obtufe and pellucid

a kind of neck, or fmall contraction,

formed

at fonie little difiance

from

this end.

The lower

part

pointed, about the middle

projections..

of the body

there are

two fmall

49.

En-

Microscopical Essays;
49.

497

Eu clid is

Spatula.

Enchelis cylindrica

flriata,

apice hyalino-fpatulata.

A cylin-

drical filiated enchelis, the fore-part tranfparent,

and of the

ihape of a fpatula.

This animalculum
cryftailine

is
;

perfectly cylindrical, very pellucid, of a

appearance it is marked with very fine longitudinal has generally two tranfparent globules, one placed and furrows, below the middle, the other near the extremity of the body on
;

the other fide are five {mailer ones,

dilated,
caries.

which are

oval.

The

top

is

with the corners rounded like the fpatula of the apotheIt

has a wavering kind of motion, folding the fpatula

varioufly, yet retaining the

his feeing
it

form

in general.

Muller mentions
it

once draw the fpatula into the body, and keep^

there for two hours,

when
50.

it

again appeared.

Enchelis Pupula.

A cylindric enchelis,
The
fore-part
is

the fore-part papillary.

protubef antly round, and rather opake, the 'hind-part pellucid, both extremities obtufe, furnifhed with a papillary finger-fhapcd head, the hinder- part marked with a
tranfparent circle, or circular aperture.

The

fore-part filled

up

with moveable molecules, which are more fcarce in the hinder* part. It lias.a rotatory motion on a longitudinal axis, and moves

through the water

dunghill water in

in

an oblique direction.

It is

to be found in

November and December,

51. fcn.

Microscopical Essays
51.

Enchelis Pupa.

Enchelis ventricofo cylindrica,

apice in papillam products

finall nip,-

Enchelis forming a kind of ventricofe cylinder, with a

pie proceeding from the apex.

It

is

not unlike the preceding animalculum, but

is

much larger
formed from
with obfcure

the anterior end the fore-parr,

particles
:

not fo obtufe, the nipple gradually

all

but

this

end

is

opake, and

filled

it

has no tranfparent circle, as was obferved in the enIt is

chelis pupula.

exceeding flothfuL

V.

BR. 1

o..

Vermis inconfpicuus,
invifible

fimplichTimus,

teres,

elongatus.

An

worm, very

fimple, round,

and rather long.

52.

Vibrio Lineoia*.

Vibrio linearis minutiffimus.

Very

fmall linear vibrio*.

This

is

one of the moft minute animalcula, furpaffing

in flenlittle

dernefs the

monas termo.
it

The
almoft

greater magnifier exhibits

little

more than
points.

a tremulous motion of myriads of

fills

oblong obfcure

In a few days

the whole fubftance of the

water in vegetable infufions*

^3. Vibrio^

Microscopical Essays.
53.

40/c

Vibrio Rugula.

Vibrio linearis flexuofus.

Vibrio like a bent line.

Myriads of
lineola

this fpecies

may

be found;

it is

between the vibrio

and the vibrio undula.

It

appears as a

little line,

which

is

fometimes drawn up in an

undulated Chape, and moves backwards and forwards in a {Irak

line, often

without bending the body at

all.

54,

Vibrio Bacillus.

Vibrio

linearis,

aequalis

utrinque truncata.

Linear vibrio,

equally trancated at both ends.

This
lens
;

is

an exceeding fmall creature, but

vifible

with the third

It
is

in a certain pofition

of the light tranfparent.

gelati-

nous, and not half fo large as the

monas lens, though

is

fix,

and
fize,

fometimes ten times longer

it

is

every- where of an equal

and has no

vifible interlines

it's

action

languid, the ferpentine

flexures of the

body are with great

difficulty perceived.

Muller made two infufions of hay

in the

fame water, and

in the other

at the
it

fame time
but

in the

one he put the hay whole,

;

was

cut in fmall pieces

lus,

in the

firfl

there was none of the vibrio bacil-

latter,

many of the monas lens and kolpoda cucullus many of vibrio bacillus, and few of the monas.

in the

3 P a

55

Vibrio

0;.

Microscopical
5,

Essays*.

Vibrio Undula*

Vibrio Eliformis flexuofus.

A filiform flexuous vibrioi.

round, gelatinous, without any
;

A perfect undulating little line,

vifible interlines.
It is

never

(trait

when

at reft

it

refembles the

letter V, when, in motion the letter

M,

or a bending line like that

air
;

which geefe form

in their flight

through the

it's

motions are
refts-

fo rapid, that the eye can fcarce follow them.

It

generally

upon the top of the water, fometimes it one extremity, and whirls itfelf round.
This
the
little

fixes itfelf obliquely

by

is

creature that

Leeuwenhccck

fays exceeds

im

flendernefs the tail

of the animal culum feminale, which he haslefs-

defcribed in Fig. 5, Epif. Phyf. 41, being an hundred times than a muftard-feed, and on which he makes the following very

ju0

bfervation

That

as thefe very fmall

little tails,

animalcula can contract

that

and

varioufly fold their

we muft conclude

tendons
;

and mufcles are as neceffary to them as to other animals if tothis we add the organs of fenfation, and thofe of the inteftines,. the mind is loft in the aftonifhment which arifes from the impreffion of infinite, in the indefinitely fmall.

56.

Vibrio Serpens,.

Vibrio filifbrmis, ambagibus in angulum obtufum pTOducls.

filiform vibrio, the windings or flexures obtufe.

A flen-

Mie ROSCOPTC al Ess ays.

501

A {lender gelatinous
diftances
;

little

animal, in the form of a long ferpen-

tine line, all the bendings being nearly equal in fize,

it

and

at equal

generally

moves

in a ftrait line

an

interline

may be

difcovered

but

is

down the middle. It is to be found not commonly to be met with.

5.7.

in river water,

Vibrio. Spirillum,

Vibrio

filiformis,

ambagibus

in

angulum acutum

tornatis..

wire, or corkFiliform vibrio, twilled fomething like a fpiral

fcrew

the bending acute.

It

is

fpiral

an exceeding minute fmgular little creature, twilled in a< form the Ihape of thefe bendings remains the fame even
;

when
line,

the animal
it's

is

in motion, not
It

occafioned by any internal;

force, but are

natural fhape.

moves generally
It

in a ftrait

vibrating the hind

and

fore-part.

was found in 1782, in

an infufion of the'fonchi arvenlis.

Vibrio Vermiculus.

58.

Vibrio tortuofus gelatinus.

gelatinous.

This

little

vibrio

is

twifted

and

The body is
long,

white, or rather of a milky appearance, eylmdric,.

obtufe,

the

apex

rather
It's

growing
is

fmaller,

and twitted

towards the hind-part.

like that

motion
;

languid and modulatory,

of the

common worm

it

fometimes moves quicker, but

itfelf alternately

with feeming labour.

When

it

bends

from one

fide to the other,, a black

long line

may be

difcovered, fometimes

whole;,

Microscopical Essays*
whole, fometimes broken
^various folds.
:

when

at reft, it occasionally twifts into

It

may be

obferved eafily with the

is

ftrft

lens of the Tingle micro-

fcope, and

probably the fame animalculum mentioned by

Leeuwenhoeck in all his works, as found in the dung of frogs, and in the fpawn of the male libellula. It is to be found in
marfhy water
in

November, though but feldom.

Vibrio Inteftinum.

59.

Vibrio gelatinofus,

teres,

antice anguftatus.

This vibrio

is

gelatinous, round, the fore-part fmal'i.

It is

cylindric, milk-coloured,
;

and (lender towards the top,

be difcovered, though

both ends obtufe

four or

no

traces of interlines to

five fpherical
It

eggs are perceived at the extremity of the

hind-part.
it

can draw the fore-part fo

much

inwards as to give

a truncated and dilated appearance, fomething like a fpatula.

It's

motion

is

flow and progreffive.

They

are found in marfhy

waters.

60.

Vibrio Bipunciatus.

Vibrio

linearis, aequalis,

utraque extremitate truncata, globulis

fize

binis mediis.

Linear vibrio, of an equal

throughout, both

ends truncated, and two fmali globules in the middle of the body.
than the following animalappearance, the fore and
hind-

It

is

of a fmall

fize,

and rather

lefs

culum, the body of a pellucid

talc-Jike

Microscopical Essays,
hind-part truncated
;

in the

middle are two (fometimes there

It

is

only one) pellucid globules, placed lengthways.

mod comare flow..

monly moves forwards

It

in

a limit line;

it's

movements

was

found in (linking fait water..

61.

Vibrio Tripunclatus.

Vibrio

linearis,

utrinque attenuatus, globulis

tribus, extremis

minor ib us.

Linear vibrio, both the ends fmaller than the mid-

dle, furnifhed with three globular points, the

two which are at

the extremities being fmaller than that at the middle.

The body

is

pellucid, talcy, each of the ends rather tapering,

is

furnifhed with three pellucid globules, the middle one

largeft, the fpace

the

between thefe globules

is

generally filled with a

green matter

in

fome there

is

nothing of the green fubftance

It

near the extremities,

but only about the middle.

it's

feldom

moves

far,

and then

motion

is

reclilinear,

backwards and

forwards,.

6*2.

Vibrio PaxiliFen

Vibrio flavefcens paleis gregariis multifariam ordinatis, Fig,

13, 14, 15, Plate

XXV.

Yellow, gregarious, ftraw-like

vibrio,..

This

is

a wonderful animalculum, or rather a congeries of aniIt is invifible to

malcula.

the naked eye, and confifts of a trans-

parent membrane, with yellow interlines, and two or three viable

points
;

they are generally found collected together in

different.

parcels,.

504
parcels,

Microscopical Essays,
from feven to forty
in

of forms, fometimes in a

11 rait

number, and ranged in a variety line, as in Fig. 14, then forming

the concave. Figure 13, at others

as in Fig. 15
;

moving

in a zig-zag

dne&ion,

when

at reft,

they are generally in a quadrangular

latiffima.

form, and found in great plenty with the ulva

As

this

animalculum feems to have fome

of Mr. Baker,
it

affinity
will

with the hair-

like annua'

think the reader

be better pleafed
than to have it

to fee his defcription of

raifed into a

introduced in

this place,

new and
animal

diftinct fpecies.

This

little

is

extremely (lender, and not

times longer than broad.

uncommonly
refemblancc

one hundred and

fifty

It's

The to an hair induced Mr. Baker to call it the hair-like inf ect. body, or middle part, which is nearly fIra it, appears in fome compofed of fuch parallel rings as the windpipe of land animals
-confifts of,

but feems

in others fcaled,

or rather made up of rings

that obliquely crofs

each other.

It's

two ends are bent, or

hooked, pretty nearly in the fame degree, but in a direction contrary each to the other and as no eyes can be difcerned, it is
;

difficult to

judge which

is

the head or

tail.

It's

progreffive motion differs from that of

is

all

animals hitherto

defcribed, for notwithstanding the body

rings

compofed. of

many
it

and
;

joints,

it

feems unable to bend them, or

it is

move

directly

forwards

but when

inclinable to -change

it's

quarters,

can

move from right to

left,

or

left to right,
;

and proceed and

this
it

at the

fame

time backwards or forwards obliquely

the quarter of a circle, then

performs by

turning upon one end as a center, and defcribing with the other
it

does the fame with the other end,

and

Microscopical. Essays.
-and fo alternately,

505

whereby
;

it's

progreffion

is

in a diagonal line,

or from corner to corner

(hi ft

as

whoever

will take

the

trouble to

the points of a pair of

compares

in that

manner, may imme-

diately be fatisfied.

All

it's

motions are extremely flow, and require

in the obferver.
It

much
nor

patience
fins,

and attention
hairs,

has neither

feet,

nor

but appears perfectly fmooth and tranfparent, with the

tail

head bending one way, and the

long
Italic

another, fo as to be like a

S; nor

is

any internal motion, or particularly opake

part, to be perceived,

which may determine one

to fuppofe

it

the

-flomach, or other of the inteitines.

Thefe creatures are

fo fmall, that millions

of millions might be
llngly,

contained in an inch fquare.

When

viewed

or feparatcd

from one another, they are exceedingly

lovely green; but, like
all

tranfparent,

and of a

other tranfparent bodies,

when numtill

bers of them are brought together they become opake, and lofe
their green colour in proportion as the quantity increafes,
laft

at

they appear entirely black.

Not with (landing: a

the extreme minutenefs of thefe animalcula,

;

they feem to be fond of fociety

for

on viewing
they will

for

fome time

a parcel of them taken up at random,

be feen to difperfe

themfelves in a kind of regular order.

If a multitude of

them

are

put into a jar of water, they will form themfelves into a regular

body, and afcend flowly to the top, where, after they have re-

mained fome time expofed

to a beautiful Iky -blue.

to the

air,

their green colour changes

When
3

they are weary of this fituation,

lhey

zsQ

Microscopical Essays.

they form themfelves into a kind of rope, which (lowly defcenck

as

low

as they intend.

A fmalt quantity of the matter containing thefe

been put into a jar of water,
it

creatures having

fo

happened, that one part went

float-

down

immediately to the bottom, whilft the other continued

ing on the top.

cula began
to

After fome time, each of thefe fwarms of animal-

grow weary of

it's

fit

nation,

and had

a,

mind

to

change

it's

quarters.

Both armies,

therefore, fet out at the

fame
;

fo time, the one proceeding upwards, and the other downwards A defire that after fome hours journey they met in the middle.

of knowing

how

they would behave on this occafion engaged the

obferver to watcli

them

carefully,

and

to his furprize he

faw the
left,

army

that

was marching upwards open to the right and

for thofe that

to-

make room

were defcending.
it's

Thus without con-

fuuon or intermixture, each held on

way, the army that was,

going up marching in two columns to the top, and the other proceedinginone column to the bottom, as if each had been under
the direction. of wife leaders..

63.

Vibrio Lunula.

Vibrio arcuatus, utraque extremitate aequali, Eig, 16.

fliaped vibrio, both ends of an equal hze.

Bbw--

The body
quarter;
it is

refembles

much

the ih ape of the

moon

at the

fkhV

ten globules difpofed lengthways

of a green colour, and has generally from feven to the fmaller ones are of a very
;

pale colour, a pale green vacuity

middle: fome

little

varieties

may may be

fometimes be feen in the

obferved amongft them 5s
which:-

Microscopical Essays.
;

57

winch are not eafy to be defer ibed it will be enough to have .given the reader their general and diftinguifhing chara&eriflics,
Vibrio Verminus.

64.

Vibrio linearis

compreflus,

antice

quam

poflice

angufiicr.

Linear compreffed vibrio, the fore-part narrower than the hindpart.

round tranfparent anirnalculum, or rather along cryflalline membrane, the hind-part broader than the fore-part, the apex

fubtruncated, the bafe obtufe,

middle are two fpherical

edge.
It

no perceptible inteftines, in the veficules, and a third towards the lower

moves quickly, with an undulatory motion, backwards and forwards; they fee m to be joined in a very fmgular manner, and are found in great plenty in fait water that had been kept fome days, and was foetid.
Vibrio Malleus.

65.

Vibrio linearis bafi globuli, apice linea tranfverfa.

vibrio, with a globule at the bafe,

linear

and

tranfverfe line at the apex.

This

is

a white pellucid animalculum, refembling the letter

T\

with a globule affixed to the bafe.

It is in

motion and

at reft every

motion

it

refembles the letter

moment alternately when in V, when at reft the letter T. They

;

are found plentifully in fpring water.

66.

Vibri#

aoS

Microscopical
66..

'Essays-;.

Vibrio Aeus.

Vibrio

linearis, colli, apice obtufo,

cauda

fetacea.

Linear

vibrio,,

with a neck, the upper extremity obtufe, the lower one terminate
-

ing in a fetaceous

tail.

This vibrio

is

of the

ftiape

of a fewing needle
in the

the neck round,

partly tranfparent,

and marked

middle with a red point

the trunk cylindrical, the edges obfeure, the middle blight,

and

nearly of a triangular appearance, the

tail is fine like

brittle.

A
It

motion may

be obferved in the infide of

this little creature.

does not bend the body

when

in motion.

.67.

Vibrio Sagitta.

Vibrio fublinearis,

colli,

apice truncato atro,

cauda

fetacea.

Somewhat linear in it's appearance, a well-marked truncated and open, the tail fetaceous.
,

neck, the apex,

The body is
dle,

very long and flexible, broaden; towards the midalfo

filled

which

is

with grey molecules

the fore-part

is it

drawn out into a

thick

flrait

tranfparent neck, the upper end of

and black.

The motion

of

this

animalculum feems to be
It
is,

produced by the contraction and extenfion of the neck.

found in

fait water..

63. Vibrio-

Microscopical Essays.
68.

Vibrio Gordius.

Vibrio
fize

aequalis,

caudse apice tuberculato.

tail

Vibrio of an equal
tubercle.

throughout, the

terminated by a

little

round animalculum
is

the

fore-part

for

about one-fix th
with a Iky-

of the whole length

tranfparent, and
;

furniflied
is

coloured alimentary tube

the lower part

;

bright and pointed,

the middle full of fmall globules

tail.

a fmall
fait

knob terminates the

Found

in

an infulion made with

water.

6g,

Vibrio Serpentulus,

Vibrio sequalis utrinque fubaeuminatus.

equal
fize,

This vibrio

is

of aa

rather pointed at both ends.

It

is

very fimilar to the vibrio angutllula, differing principally

in the fhape of the ends,

which

in this are pointed.

tail

It

does not

adhere to objecls

by the pointed
points.

it is

furniflied with a long,

row of the moll minute

motion
and

It's

is

Terpentine, fometimes to be

met with

perfectly

ftrait

flill,
;

and
it is

is

found

in infufions

of vegetables

after

fome
is

weeks Handing

of a whitifh colour, the whole body

fre~

quently convol uted, and drawn into different figures.

jo. Vibrio

M icroscopic al
70.

E s ay

&<,

Vibrio Coluber,

Vibrio
tail

filiformis, feta

caudali geneculata.

Filiform vibrio,

trie

fetaceous,

and bending up nearly to form a

right angle with

the body.

In this vibrio the mouth, the oefophagus, the molecules in the

interlines,
tail is

and the twilling

thereof, are very

confpicuous.

The

exceeding fmall, and bent fo as to form a considerable an-

gle with the

body-

It is

found in river water.

71.

Vibrio Anguillula.

Vibrio fequalis fubrigidus.

out, and fomewhat hard.

Vibrio of an equal

fize

through-

This animal culum

diftinct

may be

divided into four varieties, if not

fpeeies,

namely,

the anguillula aceti, glutinis farinofi,

aquae dulcis, et aquae marini.

Anguillula Aceti.

Vinegar Eel.

Chaos redivivum, Lin.

Joblot Obf. Micr.

Syft.

Nat. 1326.

Leeuwenhoeck Op. Omn.

1,

p. 3, n. 1,

1,

p. 2, pi. 2.
fig. 2.

Hook's Micr.

p. 25,
1,

Borelli Obf. Micr.

p. 7.

Power's

Microscopical Essays,
towers Micr. Obf.
p. 38.
fig.

Baker's Empl. for Micr. p. 10.

8 and
10.

- Micr. Expl.

9.

p. 81,

pi. 5,
fig.

fig.

Adams Miciv Illuf.

C,D. Rozier Journal Phyfique, Mars 1775, Janv. & Mars 177$.
pi.

32,

197, A,.B,

Spallanzani Opus, Phy. part

ir

p. 83.

Anguillula Glutinis.

Pafle Eel.

Chaos redivivum, Lin.

Ledermuller Micr.

Syft. Nat... 1326.

Baker Micr. Exp,

p. 82.
.
.

Roz. Journal Phyfique, Mars 1775, Mars 1776.

Adams

Micr.

Illuf..

The body
with
little

is

filiform, or like a thread,

round, pellucid, replete

grains in the middle, both extremities very pellucid

little

and
fize.

empty, the fore-part a

truncated, the hind-part terminating

It is

in a very fhort briftly point.

the fame in every age

and

Anguillula Fluviataiis.

Gorculiim vermiculo fimile Lin. amaen (mund.

invis)..

Needham

Micr. p. 99,

pi. 5, fig. 7.
fig. 9.

Baker Micr. Expl.

"

p. 8o, pi. 5,

Anguille vulgaire, Rozier Journal Phyfique, 17750

Mars, Nov. 1776. Ibid, anguille du bled Rachitique.

Ibid, anguille

du faux

ergot.
2,

SpaUanz..Opufc.,Phyf. part

page 354, p\-5>

%<

l0

Micr-oscopic al Essays.
The body of this
though a few
is
is

exceedingly tranfparent; no vifible entrails,

tranfverfe lines

may be
final!

difcovered on the body.

It

fometimes, though rarely, furnifhed with a long row of

little

globules,

and often with two

oval ones

the

tail

terminates

in a point.

Muller fays he found thefe

eels in

the fediment which is formed

by vegetables on the for fome time.

fides

of

veftels in

which water has been kept

The eels of pa Re have been more diftinguifhed than moft other animalcula, as well on account of the various [peculations and
theories to
ties.
firft,

which

it

has given

rife,

Four

different fpecies

of eels

as their many may be found

briefly in

curious properin pafte

;

of the

page 511, we fhali now give a more particular defcription. To be certain of procuring thefe eels, boil fome flower in water, to which you have added a few drops of vinegar, provide an earthen pot which has
a hole
at

which has been defcribed very

the bottom,

fill it

with earth, and then put the pafte in

it

a piece of coarfe cloth, and bury

ex

in this earth

the pot

is

to

be

poled to the fun in the fummer, or kept in a

;

warm

place in the

winter

by

this

means you

will

very feldom

fail

of finding in ten

or twelve days a large quantity of eels in the pafte.

This
long,

eel,

when

at it's full

growth,

is

about one-tenth of an inch

in diameter;

and rather

lefs

than one-hundredth of an inch

about one hundred and twenty times, only compreffedfo much between two plates, by means of an adjufting fcrew, as not only to prevent
it

Fig. 6, Plate

XL

reprefents

one of thefe

eels magnified

from moving, but to lengthen and

flatten it in

a fmall

degree.

Microscopical Essays.
degree.

5*3
pieces,

At the upper part

a,

there are

two

little

moveable
b
is

or nipples, a

between which an empty fpace

formed, that

terminates in the
projects

mouth
tail is

the hinder-part
tail

is

round,

but

ther.e

from

it

a fhort fetaceous

in the

young

eels

the

termination of the

not fo abrupt as in the prefent fpecimen,

but

it

finifhes

by a gradual diminution.
gently preffed,

There
;

is

probably a vent

near

z,

for the palfage

of the excrements

becaufe when that

part has been

two or three

jets,
it.

of a very fubtle
If the preffure
is

fub (lance, have been obferved to iffue from

increafed, a fmall bladder will be forced out, a further compreffion burfts the bladder, and the bowels are forced through the

opening.

A greater degree of magnifying power

exacl idea of the vifcera of thefe
eels.

is

neceffary to obtain an

Fig. 10 reprefents the

it's

alimentary duel (further magnified) from

It
is

origin to the belly.

is

{hewn here
for

as

feparated from the animal, which

affifted

eafily

effeaed;
operation.

nature,

by very
c, Fig.

little

art,

performs the
it's

The

oefophagus, b

6 and

10, at
c,

origin

a,

is

very fmall, but foon grows larger, as at

and forms a
till

kind of oblong bag,

cd;

the diameter of this increafes

;

it

comes to d, where it fwells out as at de f it then grows fmdler There is a till it comes to g, when it again fwells out as g k 1. narrow neck at i, which in it's natural ftate is feen in the bag k 1.

The

part k

is

the ftomach.

M.

Becli has fhewn, that the aliis

mentary duel of many fpecies of worms

one of which
this
is

inclofed within the other.

;

formed of two bags It is the fame with

animalculum

the
is

little veflel

be, that we have called the

oefophagus, which

the origin of the bag c d, enters into the

it's

lame bag, and preferves

form within
3

it,

till it

comes

to in,

from

514

Microscopical Essays/
prolonged
in the

from whence
which
pafles

it is

by

the axis of the duft

form of a black line m n n,. eeh, and apparently ter-

minates

itfelf at

the beginning of the

abdomen
i,

k.

To
two

this tube,

near the center of the fwelling g h

parent bodies
is
;

are fixed
is

final 1

tranfc

that

end of thefe which

is

connected with the tube

round, the other end

pointed

th^fe fmall pieces cannot

be

difcerned in every pofition of the

eel.

We
eel.

muft

now (hew how

and always

this

duel

is

to

be forced out of the

lead prelled
is

The body, when

tail,

comprefled, generally burfls either at the

at that part

head or

which

is

hence

when

the mafs of fluids contained in the

body
the

forced towards

the anterior part, they meet with a reliftance in pairing from the

abdomen forced by
upper
with

to the dutl already defcribed

abdomen being
it,

the fluids which are

made

to aft againft

burfls at the

part,

and the

all it's

neck g h i, force it, contents, out of the body, through an opening at

fluids ftriking againft the
;

nterior part

on

leflening the

p refill re, the bowel, thus

dif-

charged, will float in the water between the two plates of

glafs.

Not

to enter into a detail of thofe parts

writers to
it

which have been fupheart,

pofed by fome

cenftitute the

&c.

"of thefe

minute animalcula,

will be fufficient here to defcribe thofe in

which motion may be difcovered, and to leave the reft to future 1 The parts which may be feen in obfervations cn the fubjeft.
motion within -thefe minute creatures
are,
1.

the fmall tube,

;

of

2. thefe duft, from it's origin at m, to the two appendages appendages themfelves 3. the remainder of the tube, from the appendages to the infertion at the ventricule k ; 4. in the fwell;

ing g k

I. a

The

reft

of

this

duft,

from the beginning by the

oefopha-

Ml CROSCOPICAL Essays.
oefophagus b
c,

to the fecond fwelling, has

no motion.

There

is
<

a variety
It is

in the

motions of the
at. other

firft

part of this duel:, fometime^s

it

k dilates and contracts,

difficult to

times

has an ofcillatory motion,.

gain a good view of the appendages, but

little
.

when
and

the petition of the

creature

is

favorable, they

feem to have
to,

a two-fold motion, by which the pointed ends approach

thenfeparate from .each other, and another by which they

move

up and down.
alternately, the

The

part g k

moves backwards and forwards

is

motion of each of thefe parts

parts,

independent of
is

the

reft.

Thefe are the principal

life

whofe motion

connect-

ed with the

of the animal.

The

other vifcera "that are contained in the

body of

the eel,

and which may be obferyed by the aid of the microfcope, are the vefic-Is which contain the food, thofe which are filled with a transparent fubftance, and the

womb,

or ovary.

The

firft

form the

abdomen and

interlines

thefe are filled with a black fubftance,

which prevents

their being properly

and

clearly diftinguifhed

thefe veffels, in their paifage through the pofterior part of the

body, form an empty fpace, in which

fide

we may

perceive that one

of the animalculum
j

is

runs from

to tix

it -is

at thefe

occupied by the ovary q qq, which two extremities of the ovaries

that the eggs begin to be formed, for the large II eggs are always
to be found in the middle,

and the fm all eft

at the ends, as

may

be feen

at j f

and u

x.

.-

All the eels which bear eggs have two protuberances, y y, formed on the exterior part, near the center of the ovary it ap;

pears like a tranfparent femicircular membrane, but is really a kind of hernia, or bag, in which one or two eggs may be fome-

.$#T

& ^<v
1

V''*';

"

'

'tinted

516
times feen
;

Microscopical Essays.
all

the larger eels have this appendage, which alfo

bears the marks of having been burft.

have not

Now as the younger eels appendage, nor any markb ot a rupture, we may reafonably conclude that it is from hence that the little eels iffue
this

from the parent.

In the latter part of the year, and during the winter, thefe
are oviparous, and the

eels,

young

eels

may be

feen to proceed from

have one time in the belly of the parent, twenty- two eggs have been counted in the ovary. M. Muller fufpefted that there
;

the egg

at other times they are viviparous, fix live eels

been feen

at

was a difference of fex in fome of thefe animalcula, but

left

to

M.

Roffredi to afford the proof, and

it

was was only from

it

a variety of repeated obfervations that he could allow himfelf

to be convinced of this truth.

He continued his
eels,

refearches

upon

the fame

fubjecl:

on other microfcopic

and has fmce been

able to difUnguifh the fexual parts of the vinegar eels.

The next
ceding
It is
it is

eel

we
it

fhall defcribe
is

and that becaufe

the eel of vinegar, Fig, f oviparous and viviparous like the preis
;

filiform,

but in other refpects they

the
tail
is

differ

confiderably.

longer, not near fo large,

fmaller,

and more

tapering than that of thepafte eel;

eafe,

and
a

this eel,
tail,

it moves with much greater more lively. We may obferve in fmall, at the tail of what may be feen at large at the beginning of the viper's

is

little

kind of tongue ab, which fometimes adheres to the

fkin, at other times is feparated

from

it.

An alimentary

duel:

may

be

eafily difcovered,

but no other inteftines can be difcerned*

without deranging altogether the organization of the animalculum.

The

Microscopical Essays,
The
fecond fpecies of pafle eel
is

5*7
It
is
;

oviparous.

eafily
it

diflinguifhed

from the
8.

firft

kind,

by being much fmaller

fame, though an

is

reprefented at Fig.

Tne conformation of
find

the alimentary duel

intel-

and the
ligent

interlines are in general nearly the

obferver will

out fome fpecific differences.

c,

By
be-

the flexion of the interlines c c

a void fpace

is

left

little

yond the middle of the body, where the eggs are collected. There is no exterior protuberance near the ovary, as in the preceding one, but a fm all hole, I, may be difcovered, near which are
placed two
little

tubercles f

f,

though they are very feldom to be

obferved without comprefling the animalcula.

We meet with
called the

another eel in pafle, which

It is often to

may

with reafon be

common eeh

be found in grains placed

in the earth, in which the

germ

Items of farinaceous plants, in

and the tremella of Adanfbn, and in

is

deflroyed, in the roots

feveral fpecies of conferva, as well as in feveral infufions.

eel,

This

when

at

it's

full

growth,
;

is

rather longer than the

is

common

eel of blighted

wheat

one of them

reprefented at Fig. 11.

They

are eafily diftinguifhed from the eels of blighted wheat, be-

caufe they have

no ranges of globules

like

it,

by the two

little

protuberances which are near the middle of the body, and by the
regular diminution of the
tail.

It is oviparous..

A very
larger fort

in pafle; they

fmall fpecies, reprefented at Fig. 9, may be diftinguifhed from the

may

alfo

be found of the

young

eels

by

their vivacity

and

ilendernefs.

Of

5 i8

Microscopical Essays.
Of the Eels
in

blighted Wheat.*
and

Thefe
coveries.

animalcula were difcovered by Mr. Needham,

defcribed by

him

in

a work entitled

New

Microfcopical Dis-

They

are not lodged in thofe blighted grains

which
is

are covered externally with a foot-like dufl, (whofe infide

alfo little

often

more than a black powder) but abundance of ears may be obferved in fome fields of corn, which have grains that appear
;

blackifh, as if fcorched

thefe,

tain a foft white fubftance, that,

like a congeries

when opened, are found to conwhen attentively examined, looks

fibres,

of threads, or

lying as clofe as poffible to

each other
ripe

in

a parallel direction, and

thiftles.

much

refembling the un-

down of fome

This fibrous matter does not difcover

any

figns of life or motion, unlefs ..water

fibres

be applied to it; the then feparate, and prove themfelves to be Jiving creatures.
eels are in general

Thefe
a

of a large

fize,

and may be feen with

magnifying glafs, b^ing about one-thirtieth of an inch and one hundred and fortieth broad. Fig. reprefents 5 one of them magnified about one hundred and twenty times;
in length,

common

they are in general of a bright chefnut colour, the extremity a b

is

whiter and more tranfparent'than the

is

reft

of the body.

The

end a

rather round, the end b

is

pointed.

diftinguifhing

mark of thefe little creatures is a row of tranfparent globules, which are placed at intervals through the whole length of the
body, beginning
ceafes, at b,

where the tranfparency of the fore-part

c.

and going on to the extremity

lefs

They

are in diameter

rather

than one-third of the body.

Another peculiar mark

is

* Btid

avoiti.

Microscopical Essays.
is

5*9

a fmall lunular tranfparent fpace

.

c
is

near the middle of the

free

body.

This part

is

tranfparent, and
;

from the coloured

interlines

matter of the interlines

this

there

is

a neck in the

near

fpace, which confines them

to one part of the-body.

Great care
fkin of the

mould be taken by
eels

the obferver not to burft. the

in 'difen gaging
;

them from the

but
if

grain, for they

never break or burfl of themfelves

filled

which fwim flowly which about the little internal motion of when the "water, but without any principle obfervation is made, immediately after the grains proceed from
black globules are difengaged,
;

broke, vifible interlines,

a black matter, rufli out of the body, from

the eel; but

if

the eels that are broke are left long in the water,
will take place, as
It is

the fame

phenomena

in

other animal and

-vegetable infufions.

owing

to

not properly attending to

thefe .circurmlances, that

we may

attribute

many of

the fanciful

pofitions of M. Meedham, which were deduced from ill-conducied experiments, and which, when properly examined, are found to

be

in a great meaiure faife.

M.

RofFredi fowed fome of the grains of this wheat, which

;

fprang up

but the ear was either wholly or in a great part

fpoiled, being filled with thefe eels.

He

alfo

found them
plant,
it

in other

parts of the plant

to difengsge

them from the

little.

mull be

foaked in water, and then compreifed a

eels

tion fhewsthat they have not the

feem to refemble the foregoing, fame curious

At firii fight thefe but a more accurate inflecdifpofition of the

in the

internal globules, nor the fame tranfparent place

middle

of the body.
fpace, but
it is

The

inteflinal

bag leaves indeed

in thefe

an empty
the

of an indetermined form.

The

animalcula from

520
the plant are

Microscopical Essays.
much more
grains.
lively

than thofe which are procured

from the dried

The

principal

phenomena of

this

kind of blighted wheat

is

probably owing to thefe animalcula,

culation of the fap.

who

prevent the regular

cir-

They

increafe in their fize in a certain pro-

portion to the plant, fo that at laft they may be obferved with great eafe by the naked eye, being two-tenths of an inch long, and nearly one-tenth in diameter. Fig. 4 reprefents one of thefe

magnified nearly in the fame proportion as Fig. 5 a a the ovary, which may be traced almoft from the lower extremity to the middle of the' body, where the body becomes fo opake as to prevent
;

it's

being feen any further.

The

eggs,

when

arrived at their full

growth, are nearly of a cylindric fhape, both ends rounded; towards the extremity b there are two little protuberances d d,

through which the eggs are rood probably extruded

tuberances are not always
fine tranfparent
vifib;e.
;

thefe pro-

The

eggs are formed of a

membrane
;

it

covers the

young

eel,

which

is

folded curioufly therein

plant.

thefe eggs

may

often be found in the

A moft fatisfaclory view

of thefe

eels
;

is

obtained by examin-

ing them with the folar microfcope

it
;

affords

one of the moft

furprizing and magnificent fpe&ades

two generations

may be
it's

often feen, one which draws near the allotted period of

enCe, and another
life.

exift-

which only begins to enjoy the

in
;

bleffings

of

Some

arrived at their full growth, others quite fmall, &c.

In fome we

may

eggs, in others

perceive the young animalcula no fuch motion can be obferved

motion

in the

with a variety

of

Microscopical Essays.
afford great pleafure to the fpe&ator.

.521

of other circumftances too tedious to enumerate, though they

One
is

of the moft remarkable circumftances in thefe animalcula

the faculty they have of receiving again the powers

of

life,

after

having

loft

them

for a considerable time

for inftance,
for

fome of
years,

thefe blighted grains, that have

been preferved

when many

have been foaked in water for ten or twelve hours, you

it

will find in

living eels of this fpecies

if

the water evaporates,

or begins to
will

fail,

they ceafe to move, but on a frem application

be

aq-ain revived.

It

vations of

may be proper to notice here, that according to the obferM. Roffredi, thofe eels which have done laying of

eggs are incapable of being refufcitated upon being moiftened

the fame feems to be alfo the cafe with thofe that are very young
it is

probable they muff attain a certain age and degree of ftrength

before they are

endowed with

this

wonderful faculty.

In the

month of Auguft, 17435

a fmall

parcel

of blighted

wheat was fent by Mr. Needham to Martin Folkes, Efq. Preftdent

of the Royal Society, (with an account of
Baker, defiring him to examine
his

then new

dif-

covery) which parcel the prehdent was pleafed to give to Mr.

it

carefully

in order fo to do,

he cut open fome of the grains that were become dry, took out

and applied water to it on a flip of glafs, but could difcern no other motion than a feparation of the fibres or threads, which feparation he imputed wholly to an elafticity in
tire

fibrous matter,

the fibres

and perceiving no token of life,

3 S

after
till

watching them
he was wear}',

with due care, and repeating the experiment

.

an

522

Microscopical Essays.
who
having,

an account thereof was written to Mr. Needham,

by

trials

of his own, found out the caufe of this bad fuccefs, adto
;

vifed

deep the grains before he attempted to open them on doing which, he was very foon convinced of his veracity,
fight

him

and entertained with the pleafmg

of

this

wonderful phe-

nomenon.

At different times

after

this,

Mr. Baker made ex-

periments with grains of the fame parcel, without being once

difappointed.

He

foaked a couple of grains in water for the

fpace

of thirty-fix hours,

when

believing

them

fufficiently

moiCened, he cut one open, and applying fome of the fibrous

fubftanceto the microfcope in a drop of water,
it

feparated im-

mediately, and prefented multitudes of the anguillse, without the

lead motion or fign of

life

but being taught by experience that

left

they might notwithftanding poflibly revive, he

four hours, and then examining
greater!;

them

for about

them

again, found

much

the

number moving

their extremities pretty brifldy,

and in

an hour or two
ufually are.

after they

appeared

as lively as thefe creatures

-

Mr. Folkes, and fome other friends, were witneffes

of

this

experiment.

We

find

an

in (lance
;

here that

life

may

be

fufpended, and feemingly deflroyed

the
fluids neceiTary

that

by an exhalation of

to a living animal, the circulations

veffels

may
begin

ceafe, all the

organs and
;

of the body

may be
life

fhrunk up,

dried,

and hardened
to acluate the

and

yet, after a

long while,

may

anew

fame body, and

all

the animal motions and,

faculties
vefieis

may be

reftored,

merely by repleniming the organs and

fluid.

with a freih fupply of

Here

is

a proof that the anftheir;*

malcula in the grains of blighted wheat can endure having

bodies quite dried up for the fpace of four years together, without

being thereby deprived of their living power,

hi

Microscopical Essays.
It

523

appears plainly from the foregoing experiments, that

when

the blighted grains of wheat have been kept a long time, and the

bodies of thefe animalcula are confequently become extremely

dry, the rigidity of their minute veflels requires to be relaxed very
gently,

and by exceeding flow degrees

for

we

find, that

on

the

application of water immediately to the bodies of thefe animalcula,

when taken from

the dry grains, they

do not

fo certainly
in

revive as they do if the grains themfelves be

earth, or fleeped in water for

either buried

fome time before they are taken

is,

out

the reafon of which moil probably

that too fudden a re-

laxation burfts their delicate and tender organs,

and thereby renders them incapable of being any more employed to perform

the actions of

and indeed, there are always fome dead ones amongft the living, whole bodies appear burden, or
life;
lie

lacerated, as well as others that

life.

extended and never come to

Some

difcretion

is

needful to adapt the time of continuing the

;

grains in water or earth, to the age

and drynefs of them for if they are not opened before they have been too much or too long
animalculum
will

foftened, the

not only feem dead, but will really

be
old

fo.

Of the two

grains he mentions to have been four years

when put

to foak, he

opened one

after
:

it

had

lain thirty-fix
lie

hours, and the event was as already related

for above a week, and

the other was let

on opening found
in

all

the anguillae near the

5

hufk dead,

and feemingly
alive

a decayed condition

but great

numbers
brflkly.

ilfued

from the middle, and moved themfelves

let

Unlefs the hulks are opened ^to

thefe creatures out

;

after they

have been fleeped, they

all

inevitably perifh

and when
with them

taken out and preferved in water,,

3 S 2

if the

hulks are

left

they

52

Ro se o

ii

Essays^
will:

they will die in a few days; but otherwife, they

alive in water for feveral

continue

months together, and, fhould the water dry away, may be revived again by giving them, a frefh fupply..

As
in the

the eels in pafte are an object which are fo often exhibited

microfcope,

it

will

be proper, before we leave

the

this fubject,

to inform the reader

how he may procure

young

eels

from

the parent animalcula, a difcovery which was originally

made by Mr. Sherwood, but more particularly purfued and defcribed by Mr. Baker. Take up a very fmall quantity of pafle where thefe eels abound, on the point of a pin, or with a {happened quill; lay,
it

on a

flip

of

glafs,

and

diluting

it

well with water,

;

many of them
be extremely

will

become

vifible to the- naked

eye

then- with the nib of a pen,

fo thin as to
eels,
it

cut to a very fine point,

pliable,,

and {hayed-

fmgle out. one of the largefl

it
;

and infmuate the

of

point of the pen underneath

remove

into a very fmall drop*

flip

of water,, which you

glafs.

mud have
it

ready prepared on another

When-thus confined,

may
is

eaftly

be cut afunder

tranf-

verfely,

by the help of a good eye and fteady hand, with a lancet,

;

or fharp penknife
will enable almoft
as

or if the eye

deficient, a hand-magnifier

any-body to perform the operation; As foon the parts. are feparated, apply your object to the microfcope*
if

and

the divifion has been

made about
fizes,

the middle of the animal,'

feveral, oval bodies,

of different

will

be feen to

iffue forth.

Thefe are young whereof

is-

anguijlae,

of different degrees of maturity, each,

in
it's

coiled up,,

and included

proper membrane,

which

is

of fo exquifite a finenefs, as to be fcarce difcemible by,

the greateft magnifier while

largeft

Theit inclofes the embryo animal. and moft forward break immediately through this delicate
nimbly;,

integument, unfold, themfelves, and wriggle about in .the water,

M
nimbly
j

G RO

C OP

C AL

E s SAYS.

525:

others get out, uncoil,

leaft

and the

and move about more {lowly mature continue entirely without motion. The
ringlets,
is coinpofed not unlike the afpera arteria of land

uterus,, or vefTel that contains all thefe oval bodies,

of many annula, or
animals, and
it
is

feems to be confiderably

elaftic

for as foon
thruft.

as

the operation

performed, the oval bodies are

out with

fome degree of violence, by the fpringing back or adion of this bowel. An hundred or upwards of the young ones have been
feen to iffue from, one fmgle eel,

whereby the prodigious increafe

probably feveral fuch numerous

of them

may be accounted

for, as

generations are produced in a fhort time.

Hereby we

alfo learn

that thefe creatures are not only like eels in (hape, but are like-

wife viviparous, as eels are generally fuppofed to be,.

There, is fcarce a more entertaining experiment, in which there

is

but

little

rilk

of being difappointed
all prolific,

for they

feem,

like

earth-worms, to be

and unlefs by accident you cut

it's

one

that has brought forth all

young

before, Or

make your

trials

when

cafe they

the pafte has been kept a very long time, (in which have been found fometimes unfruitful) you may be fure

of

fuccefs..

An
This,

<r

uillula

Marina.

when preffed between two plates ofglafs, appears to be more than a cryftalline fkin, with a kind of clay-coloured interlines. The fore-part of the body is truncated, the lower part drawn out to a fine point, the reft of the body is of an equal
little

fize

throughout.

The younger

ones are

filled

with pellucid

molecular inteftmes,
72.

yihrk

526

Microscopical Essays.
72.

Vibrio Linter.

Vibrio ventricofo-ovatus,
vibrio, with a fhort neck.

collo breviffimo.

Ventricofe oval

This
inflated,

is

one of the larger animalcula, of an egg fhape, pellucid,

at top
;

fomewhat depreffed
not very

the apex
is

is

prolonged into a

moveable
cules.

cryftalline neck, the belly

replete with pellucid mole-

It is

common, but

is

to be

found among the

lemnas.

73.

Vibrio Utriculus.

Vibrio

teres, antice

angu flatus truncatus, poftice

ventricofus.

Round

vibrio, the fore-part

narrow and truncated, the lower

ventricofe.

It

does not

ill

refemble a bottle in fhape

interlines, the

the belly

is

replete

with molecular
truncated
belly.
;

neck bright and

is

clear, the

top

in

fome a pellucid point

vifible at the

bottom of the

It is in

an unceafing, vehement, and vacillatory motion,

far! as poffible.

the neck moving from one fide to the other as

74.

Vibrio Fafciola.

Vibrio antice attenuatus,

medio

latiufculus,
little

poftice

aculus.

Vibrio with a fmall fore-part, the middle a part acute.

bigger, the hind-

This

Microscopical Essays.
This
is

527

a pellucid animalculum, in the middle are the interlines

5

in the form of points in iize,

is

an alimentary pipe, which

Mens

gradually

alfo perceptible.

The motion of
from the
froft,

it

is

quick, darting
It is

itfelf

up and down
jult

the

water with great velocity.

found in water

loofened

and feldom elfewhere.

Vibrio Colymbus.

75.

Vibrio craffus, poftice acuminatus, collo fubfalcato.

vibrio,

Thick

fharpened

at the end, the

neck a

little

bent.

It is larger

than raoft of the vibrios, and not unlike a bird in

is

Ihape.
fize

The neck
is

round,

fliorter

than the trunk, of an equal,

throughout, and of a bright appearance, the apex obtufe.

trunk
;

The
cules
flow.

thick,

fomewhat

triangular, full of yellow mole-

the fore-part broad,

the hinder-part acute,

-

the motion-

>

76.

Vibrio StricluSo

Vibrio elongatus
tufo.

linearis,

anticem verfus attenuatus, apice obline,

Vibrio lengthened out almoft to a

fmall towards the

fore-part, the

apex obtufe.
being a membranaceous bright thread, withthicker, round,
is

The body

linear,
;

out any flexure

the hind-part

and

filled

with

molecules, excepting juft the end, where there

6,

a fmall pellucid

empty.

52 8

Microscopical Essays.
fpace.

empty

The apex

is

obtufe,

and rather globofe

it

has a

power of contracting and drawing

77.

in the filiform part.

Vibrio Anas.

Vibrio oblongus, utroque line attenuatus, collo cauda longiore.

Oblong
tail.

vibrio,

both ends attenuated, the neck longer than the

The

trunk round, oblong, opake, and

crammed with mole-

Both the fore and the hind-part is prolonged into a pellucules. cid talcy membrane, which the animalculum has a power of retracting at pleafure.
is
T

The neck is
It

longer than the

is

tail,

and the tail

with a

more acute than

;

the neck.

mod
<

generally found in fait

in

w ater

a fpecies

of them have been found

river water,

longer neck.

78.

Vibrio Cygnus..

Vibrio ventricofus, collo adunco.

Corpulent vibrio,

with a

crooked neck.

This animalculum

is

little

more than a

mod

pellucid line,
at the

crooked

at top,

prominent
is

in the middle,

and fharp
reft

end;

the fore-part, or neck,

equal in length to the

of the body,
the interme-

and three times longer than the hind-part, or

diate part fwelling out,

tail,

and

is full

of darkim molecules and pelall

lucid interlines.
jhofe

It is

very fmall, and the moft flothful of

their necks.

which move and advance

jg. Vibrio

Microscopical Essays,
79.

529

Vibrio Anfer.

Fig.

27 and 29, Plate

XXV.
Elliptical

Vibrio ellipticus, colio longo

vibrio, with a long neck,

tuberculo dorfali.

and a

little

lump on

the back.

It

is

between the vibrio proteus and vibrio

guifhed by the

lump

b, Fig. 29,

falx, and is diftinon the back, placed behind the'

(a) proceeds.

neck

from

this

an even long neck

The

trunk (d)

is

elliptic,

round, and without any lateral in-

equality, full of molecules, the hind-part fharp

and

bright, the

fore-part produced into a bending neck, that

is

longer than the

body

the apex even and whole, blue canals paffing between the
;

marginal edges, occupying the whole length of the neck

in

one

of them a vehement defcent of water to the beginning of the

trunk
is

perceivable.

The motion of the body

and flexuous, fometimes
is

is

flow, that of the

It is

neck is more

lively

fpiral.

found in water where there

duck-weed.

80.

Vibrio Olor.

Fig. 28, Plate

XXV.

Vibrio' ellipticus, collo

longiflimo, apice nodofo.

_

Elliptical,

with a very long neck, and a knob on the apex.

An

animalculum which

is

continually

moving

it's

lively neck

The form of the body

fomewhat
varioufly
;

is elliptical'
is

and

ventricofe, the hind-part

dilatable,

fharp.

It

membranaceous,
is

winding

the hind-part

fometimes replete with darkilh mole-

cules.

5 3<3
cules.

Microscopical Essays.
The neck
(d)
is

three or four times longer than the body,

of an equal fize throughout, except a fmall degree of thicknefs at The neck is very lively in it's mothe apex (f) very pellucid.
tions, the

body
in

flow.

Is

found

water that

is

kept for a long time, and which

is

full

of a vegetable greennefs.
Vibrio
Falx.

81.

Vibrio gibbofus,

poftice obtufus,

collo falcato.

gibbous

vibrio, the hind-part obtufe, the

neck crooked.

The body
little

is

pellucid, elliptical, the fore-part lefTening into a

as

round bright neck, nearly of the fame length

the trunk,

the hind-part obtufe.

The

trunk
filled

itfelf is

rather rounding

or

tending to the gibbous, and

there are alfo

with very fmall molecules

extremity,,

two bright globules, one within the hind

middle of the body.

the other in the

gives
it

The

immobility of the neck

motions

much
82.

the refemblance of a fcythe.

Vibrio Intermedins.

Vibrio membranaceus,

antice

attenuatus,
fmall,

poftice fubacutus,

Membranaceousfo me what acute.

vibrio,

the

fore-part

the

hinder-part

It

feems to be an intermediate fpecies between the vibrio falx

fafciola
it is
;

and the

it is

a thin

membrane, conftantly

folded.

The

whole of

of a ciyftalline talcy appearance, the middle replete with

Microscopical Essays.
with grey particles, of different
fizes
;

53*
round a
tail

it

has

all

diftincl:

bright margin, the apex of the neck

is

truncated, the

obtufe.

VI.

CYC L

D I U M.

Vermis inconfpicuus, fimpliciffimus, pellucidus, complanatus,

orbicularis vel ovatus.
cular, or oval

A fimple,

invifible, pellucid,

flat,

orbi-

worm.
Cyclidium Bulla.

83.

Cyclidium orbiculare hyalinum.

Orbicular bright cyclidium.

very pellucid white animalculum,

little

or orbicular fkin,

the

edges a

darker than the

reft.

By

the afTiftance of the com-

juft perceptible.

pound microfcope, fome globular cryftalline-like interlines are It moves flowly and femicircularly. Is found
occafionally in an infufion of hay.

84.

Cyclidium Millium.

Cyclidium ellipticum cryftallinum.

cyclidium.

Elliptic

and

cryflalline

It is

very pellucid, and more fplendid than chryftal, membra;

naceous, elliptical

a line

is

perceived through the whole length

It's

of it, a point

in the fore-part, the hinder-part getting darker.

fluttering,

motion

fwift,

and interrupted

it is

probable that both

extremities are ciliated.

85, Cycli-

Microscopical Essays.
85.

Cyclidium Fluitans,

Cyclidium ovale cryftallinum.

Oval

cryflalline cyclidium*

This

is

one of the

fmallefl animalcula.

The body of an
;.

oval,

or rather a fuborbicular fhape, depreffed, cryftalline

two fmall

blue fpaces

may be

difcovered,
little

by the

affiflance

of the micro*

fcope, at the fides of this

creature.

86.

Cyclidium Glaucoma*

Cyclidium ovatum, interaneis segre

confpicuis..

Oval

cyclir

dium, the interlines perceived with

difficulty.

pellucid oval' body, both ends plain, or an oval membrane,,

diftincl

with a

well-defined

edge;

the interlines,

when

it

is.
;.

empty, are
being
full,

lb tranfparent, that they are with difficulty difcerned

they are manifefled by their green colour

dark glo-

bules are difcoverable in the middle.

In plenty of water
direction
;

it it

moves

fv/iftly in

a circular and diagonal:

whenever

moves {lowly
often be

it

feems to be taking in

water, the interlines are then alfo in a violent commotion.

Two

of the fmaller ones

other,

may

perceived cohering to each;

;

and drawing one another by turns

for they

nor are they feparated.

is

by death,
rated.

remain united even when the water

evapothey
the.:

The

unikilful in obfervation
in

muft be careful

left

mi flake the (hade

a fingle one for a junction of two, or

junclion of two for a copulation, for they generate by divifion.

8:7..CycIi

M ICR OS-CO PICAL

87.

ESS AYSv

533

Cyclidium Nigricans.

Cyclidium oblongiufculum, margine nigricans.

clidium, with a black margin.

Oblong cy-

It is

very fm all, pellucid,

it

flat,

and with a black margin.

With

a fmall magnifier

may be

miftaken for an enchelis..

88*

Cyclidium Roflratium.

Cyclidium

ovale,-

antice

mucronatum.

An

oval cyclidium^.

the fore-part pointed.

This

is

an oval, fmooth, and very pellucid animalculum, the

fore-part

produced into an obtufe point

It is

with

this

it

feels

and
have

examines bodies.

probably

ciliated,

though the

hairs

not been difcovered.

The
into
little

inteftines are filled

with a blue liquor, forming in a tube,,

is

which, from the aperture to the middle of the body,

divided
are

two

legs,

or branches

beyond the middle there

two

tranfverfe blue lines.

The

colour fometimes vanifhes, and

then only veficular interlines are difcerned.

89.

Cyclidium Nucleus.

Cyclidium ovale, poftice acuminatum.

the hind-part pointed,.

An

oval cyclidium,,

The

534

Microscopical Essays.
is

The body
part

pellucid, deprefTed, the fore-part obtufely convex,

the hind-part acute, the interlines veficular, the fore and" hind-

on each

fide dark.

It

refembles a grape- feed.

90,

Cyclidium Hyalinum.

Cyclidium ovatum,
hind-part acute.

poftice

acutum.

Oval cyclidium, the

This cyclidium
interlines, the
it

is

oval,

flat,

and

bright, without

any

vifible

hinder part fomewhat frnaller than the fore-part

has a tremulous kind of motion.

91.

Cyclidium Fediculus.

Cyclidium ovale convexum, fubtus planun.

cyclidium, the bottom even.

An

oval convex

Tren.b Icy Polyp.

This
is

1.

p. 282.

gelatinous white aniroalculum, the bottom over the

back gibbous, the extremities deprefled and truncated, fometimes one end feems cloven into two points, perhaps
ture of the mouth.
this is

the aper-

upon the hydra pallida as if it had feet, going back again every moment. It is fcarce ever feen but on the arms and the body of the hydra.
It

runs

92. Cyclic

Ml

CPvOSCOPIC AL

Essays.

535

92,

Cyclidium Dubium.

Cyclidium ovale, fupra convexum, fubtus cavum.

Oval cy-

clidium, the upper part convex, the under part concave.

This

is is

one of the larger

fpecies, the
is

body

is

of an oval fhape,
is

one

fide

convex, the other

concave, the margin

pellucid,

the inner part contains a great

number of black molecules.

VII.

Paramecium.
fimplex,
pellucidus,

Vermis inconfpicuus,
oblongus.

membranaceus,
flat

An

invifible, fimple, pellucid,

membranaceous,

worm,

93.

Paramecium

Aurelia.

Paramecium compreffum, verfus anticam plicatum, poih'ce acutum. Paramecium comprefled, oblong, folded towards the
fore-part, the hinder-part acute.

Vol vox Terebella.

This

Ellis,.

is

rather a large animalculum, membranaceous, pellucid,

it is

four times longer than

rent,

broad, the fore-part obtisfe, tranfpa-

without
;

interlines, the

hind-part replete with molecules of

is

various fizes

the fold which goes from the middle to the apex

a (Inking chara&eriftic of the fpecies, forming a kind of trian-

gular

53^

Microscopical Essays,
motion

gular aperture, and giving

It's
is

rectilinear,

fomewhat the appearance of a gimlet. vacillatory, and generally vehement.

it

They may
lying

often be feen cohering lengthways

the lateral edges

of both bodies appear bright.

on one another by

middle.

They live renewed. They are

fometimes be feen and fometimes cohering by the many months in the fame water if it is not
alfo

They may

turns,

to be found in June, in ditches

where there

is

plenty of duck-weed.

94.

Paramecium

Chryfalis.

Fig. 26, Plate

XXV.

Paramecium
tufum.

cyl indraceum, verfus

anticam plicatum, pofficeobfore-part,

Cylindrical

paramecium, folded towards the

the hinder-part obtufe.

It differs

but very
;

little

from the preceding, only the ends

is filled

(a b)
it

are
is

more obtufe

the margin
fait

with black globules, and

an inhabitant of

water.

05.

Paramecium Verfutum.
poftice incraflatum, utraque ex-

Paramecium
thick,

cyl indraceum,

tremitate obtufum.

Cylindrical
obtufe.

paramecium, the lower part

and both ends very

oblong body, green, gelatinous, filled with molecules, the lower part thick, the fore-part fmaller, both ends obtufe, and

An

may

be feen to propagate by

divifion*

Is

found in ditches.

96. Para-

Microscopical Essays.
g6.

537

Paramecium Oviferum.

Fig. 25, Plate

XXV.

Paramecium deprefium,

intus bull is ovalibus.

Paramecium

dcpreffed, with large oval molecules within fide.

A membranaceous,
having many oval very body, and many black

oval,

oblong animalculum, grey, pellucid,

pellucid corpufcles (a) difperled about the

grains towards b.

.97.

Paramecium Marginatum.

Fig. 243 Plate

XXV,
Parame-

Paramecium deprefium. grifeum, margine

cium
deprefled, grey, with a double margin.

duplici.

This n one of the

part filled
is

largeft

of

this clafs, flat,

elliptical,

every

with molecules, except the lower end

5

(b),

where there

a pellucid veficle
;

this

animalculum

is

furrounded by a broad

double margin
feen.
terline,
(a),

when

expiring, a bright fpiral interline

(b) the veficle,
(c) the

may be

Fig. 24, the apex,

fpiral in-

VIII,

KOLP'ODA.

Vermis inconfpicuus,
fmuatus.

fimpliciffimus, pellucidus, complanatus,

An

invifible,

very fimple,

pellucid,

flat,

crooked

worm.

98,

KM-

538

Microscopical Essays.
98.

Kolpoda Lamella.
antice curvata.

Kolpoda elongata membranacea,

This animalculum

is

a pellucid membrane, long and narrow,

;

the hind-part obtufe, narrower, and curved towards the top

interlines difcoverable, only a ridge, or fold,

no
and

going through the

middle.
fro

It's

motion

is

vacillatory and
flat fide,

lingular,
is

moving

to

on

it's

edge, not on the

It is

as

ufual with
is

mod

micro-

fcopic animals.

found

in water, but

very feldom to be-

met

with..

gg.

Kolpoda Gall inula;

antico

Kolpoda oblonga, dorfo

branaceous.

membranaceo

hyalino.

long kolpoda, the back towards the fore-part bright

Ob* and mem-

The apex
is

rather bent, the belly oval, convex and ftriated.

It

found

in fcetid fait water.

100.

Kolpoda Roftrum.
uncinata.

Kolpoda oblonga,
hooded.

antice

Oblong,

the fore-part

The
tufe,

fore-part

is

bent into a kind of hook, the hind-part

filled

is

ob-

and every- where

with black molecules.

is

One
'

of the

edges, from the fore- part to the middle,

often fo blunted

and

dilated;

Microscopical Essays.
dilated that the reft of the

539
and
that
It

body appears
It's

quite fmooth,

part thick and triangular.

is

motion
is

is

flow and horizontal.

to

be found

in

water where there

lcm na, but not often.

101.

Kolpoda Ochrea.

Kolpoda elongata, membranacea, apice attenuato, bafi in angulum reclum produ&a. Kolpoda long, membranaceous, the
apex attenuated, the bafe bent
in a right angle to the

body.

A large animalculum, long,

membranaceous,
flexible
;

and of a Angular

figure, deprefled,

one edge nearly

the apex
foot

ftrait,

the other fomelittle

what

bent, filled

with obfcure molecules, and a few

;

bladders

difperfed here

and there

bright
leg.

and

fmall, the bafe

projecting like the

human
2

from the

02,

Kolpoda Mucronata.

Kolpoda membranacea dilatata, antice anguftata, altero marMembranaceous dilated kolpoda, the fore-part pine incifa.
i mailer

than the hind-part, with a fmall incifion at one

fide.

This animalculum

is

a dilated bright

membrane, the apex an

obtufe point, a broad marked border running entirely round it within the margin it is filled with grey molecules, a flefhy difc on

one

fide,

which terminates
It

in a fplendid little point

on the other

fide the difc.

has a truncated appearance.

103. Kol-

4|b

Microscopical Essay s.
103.

Kolpoda Triquetra.
margine
retufo.

Kolpoda obovata

depreffa, altero

Kolpoda

nearly of an egg-mape, one edge turned back.

This animal culu in feems to

per
fide flattened, the

confift
;

of two membranes, the up*

the apex
is

lower convex
It

bent fo as to>

form a kind of moulder.

was found

in fait water.

104.

Kolpoda

Striata..

Kolpoda oblonga, fubarcuata

nata, poflice

depreffa, Candida antice

a

acumi-

rotundata.

Oblong, fomewhat of

pear-ihape,

white, the fore-part pointed, the hind-part round.

It is

very pellucid and white, the upper part rather bent, and
at the

terminating in a point, the lower part obtufely round;

apex, or mouth, there
is

little

black pellucid veficle

when a

very great power

flreaks

is

ufed, the

body appears covered with long

is

the

lower extremity

furnifhed, like
Is to

many

other anifait

malcula, with very

final 1 globules.

be found in

water..

105.

Kolpoda Nucleus.
Egg-fhaped kolpoda, with an

Kolpoda

ovata, vert ice acuto.

acute vertex.

It is

of an oval fhape, the vertex pointed, of a

brilliant trans-

parency, which renders the vifcera vifible; they confift of a heap of round diaphanous veficules.
io5.

KoI-

Microscopical Essays.
106..

Kolpoda Meleagris.
antice

Eolpoda
up.

mutaBilis

uncinata,

poftice

complicata.

Changeable, v/ith the fore-part like a hook, the hind-part folded

Fig. 22, Plate

XXV.
;

A
in a

moll fmgular animal culum, of the larger fpecies

it

has a

dilated

membrane, with the

;

fineft folds,

which

it

varies

and bends
clear

moment
full

the fore-part of the

body

to the middle

is

and

bright,, the hind-part varioufly folded in tranfverfe elevated plaits,,

and

of molecules

the apex turned into a hook, the margin

fmuous, and beneath the apex denticulated with three or four

teeth
is
;

or in fome which are

more

beautifully wrought, the edge

ftill

obtufely notched, and fet with

fmaller notches; in the

pellucid globules.
line.
It

hind-part there are twelve or

more equal

moves fometimes
22, Plate

in a

ft rait,

fometimes in a crooked

Fig..

XXV.

a the

hooked apex, b the denticulated margin,

at.

0 the feries- of. globules, d'the folded part

bottom.,

1.07=..

Kolpoda

Aliimilis.

Kolpoda depreffa, non plicatilis apice uncinate, margine am tico ad medium, ufque crenulato poftice, dilatato acutiulculo.
Kolpoda
depreffed, the apex turned in the

form of a fmall hook,

to the middle,

the margin of the fore-part

notched from the top

the lower part fwells out, then diminifhes again into a fhort point,.
It is

never folded like the foregoing

It

it

has an elliptic mafs-in the

.

middle.

was found on the fea-coafh

4,

208- Kol-

542
io3.

Microscopical Essays,
Kolpoda Cucullus.
ventricofa, infra
Fig, 23, Plate

XXV.
Egg-fhaped

Kolpoda ovata

apicem

incifa.

ventricofe, with an incifion in the fore-part.

It is

very pellucid, with a well-defined margin,

filled

with

little

bright veficles, differing in

number and

fize.

The
It's

figure of the

moftpart

is

oval, the top bent into a kind

of an obtufe beak,
interlines are

feldom an acute one, but fometimes oblong.

formed of from eight

thefe were anirnalcula

to twenty-four bright
;

little veficles,

thefe

are not confpicuous in the

young ones fome have fuppofed that that had been fwallowed by the kolpoda,

but Mr. Muller thinks they are the offspring of the kolpoda.
In fome only one cryftalline veficle occupies the middle of the

body.

When

the water

is

almofl exhaled, and death nigh,

it

moves more flowly than

violence.

ufual,

and protrudes

it's

offspring with

It

moves

in general

with great vivacity, and in

It
is

all

directions,

a the cap or hood, b the incifion.

found

in

infufions

of

vegetables, and in fcedd hay.

In fome few a tranfparent

memin

branaceous fubffanee

may

be perceived projecting beyond the

;

beak, and refemhling an exuvia

the enchelis. vibrio, and
it is

the fame

may

be obferved

probable that a decortation or

call-

ing of the fldn has place in thefe anirnalcula, as well as in infects.

109. Kol-

Microscopical Essays.
109.

543

Kolpoda Cucullulus.
apicem oblique
little

Kolpoda oblonga,

infra

incifa.

Kolpoda ob-

long, with an oblique incifion a

below the apex.

A very
top,
It

pellucid cryftalline animal culum

;

it

is

furnifhed with

feveral pellucid globules

there
is

is

a bending a

little

beneath the

which

in

fome po fit ions

in.

very diftinclly feen, mothers not.

was obferved

an

infufion.

of the fonchi arvenfis.

110.

Kolpoda

Cucullio.

Kolpoda

ovalis depreffa, infra

apicem tantillum

finuata.

Flat

oval kolpoda, with a fmall degree of bending beneath the apex.

This
per

is

an oval, or rather an

elliptical
fide,

kolpoda,

flat

on the
it is

up-

fide,

convex on the under

;

membranaceous and
to the hinder-part

bright,
filled

the fore-part clear

from the middle

It

with
folds

filver-like globules.
it

often ftretches out the fore-part, and

in different pofitions.

111.

Kolpoda
finuata.

lien.

Kolpoda
curved

craiTa

medio

This kolpoda

is

thick,

and

in the

middle.

The body
of a kidney

is

yellow, thick, and rather opake, even where

little in

round, curved a
;

the middle, fo as to have the appearance

the whole

body

is

filled

with molecules.

It's

motion.

514
l

Microscopic ai Essays,
.

ion

is

quick, vacillatory,
fail,
it

and interrupted.
is

If the 'water in which

I

it

fwims

affumes an oval form,

comprefled, and at

aft

burfts.

found in an infufion of hay, generally about teen hours after the infufion is made.
It is

thir-

j 12.

Kolpoda Pirum.

Fig.

20 and 21,

Plate

XXV.
Convex

Kolpoda convexa,

ovalis, apice in

roftrum produ6ta.

kolpoda, oval, the apex formed into a kind of beak.

The body
equality, the

is

uniform and tranfparent, without any fenfible

'

in-

neck rather long, and a

little

bent

it is

of a pale
re-

colour, and furnifhed with obfcure

little

globules.

Fig. 20

prefents this animalculum, 21 the fame dividing to form another,

.a

the fore-part, b the hind-part, c where

it is

dividing.

113.

Kolpoda Cuneus.
apice dentata.

Kolpoda

clavata,

teres,

Clavated kolpoda,

round, the apex dentated.

This

is

a large animalculum,
dill ind vifcera.

the

body

white,

gelatinous.,
is

without any

On

the fore-part at one fide there

;

a pellucid, bright, filiated puflule

the apex
is

is

diftinguifhed

by

three or four teeth, the hinder-part

fmaller than the fore-part,

fpiral

with an obtufe termination, which

it

can bend in a

form.

IX. Go-

Microscopical Essays.
ix,

545

gon

u m.

Vermis inconfpicuus,

fimpiiciffimus, complanatus,

angulatus.

An

invifible,

fimple, fmooth, angular

worm.

114.

Gonium

Pectorale.

Fig. 17, Plate

XXV.

Gonium
cis.

quadrangulare, pellucidum moleculis fedecim fphaeriis

This gonium

quadrangular, pellucid, with fixteen fpherical

molecules.

Thefe fixteen

little

oval bodies are nearly equal in

fize,

of a

greenifh colour, pellucid, and fet in a quadrangular

like the jewels in the breaft-plate

membrane,

of the high-prieft, reflecling light

it's

on both

fides.

It's

animality

is

evinced by

fpontaneous motion,
left
;

advancing alternately towards the right and

bodies feem oval
interior ones

thefe little
;

when

in

motion, round
larger

when
reft.

at reft

the four
in

are a

little

than the

Found

pure

water.

115.

Gonium Pulvinatum.
opacum,
little

Gonium

quadrangulare,

pulvillis

quatuor.

Qua-

drangular, opakc, with four

pillows.

This appears under the microfcope

as

little

quadrangular
it

membrane, plain on both

funk here and there.

fides

with a deeper lens

looks like

a bolfter, formed of three or four cylindric pillows, flattened or

Thus

it

appeared to M. Muller on the

firft

examina-

jVl

icros co pical Essays,

after, all

examination; fome days

the fides were plain, without

little

any convexity, and divided

croffing each other.

into

fquare fpaces

by

lines

Found upon

dunghills.

116.

Gonium Corrugatum.
albidum,

Gonium

quadrangulare,

medio correptum.
the middle..

Qua*-

drangular gonium, white, funk a

little in

It

is

lomewhat of a fquare
little

fhape, very minute, without any,

It is

vifible vifcera, a

deprefled in the middle.

pofitions
it

found

in

va-

rious infufions

in

fome

appears ftreaked.

117.,

Gonium Re&angulum;.
This gonium
is

Gonium

reelangulum, dorfo arcuate.

reel*

angular, the hind-part arched..

It.

differs

from the preceding one but

is

little,

the angle at the bafe

a right

one, the larger veficle

tranfparent, the reft green.

118,

Gonium Truncatum.
poflice arcuatum,

'
.

Gonium obtufangulum,

Gonium

with

ob:-~

tufe corners, the hind-part arched.

Much

larger than the foregoing, the fore-part

is

a ftrait

line,-,

the fides forming therewith obtufe angles, the ends of theie fides
are united

by a curved

line

the.,

internal .molecules are of a dark

greeny

Microscopical Essays.
green, there are two
tion
is

547
it's

little

bright veficles in the middle,

mo-

languid.

It is

but rarely met with, and then moftly in pure

X.

Bursa ria,

Vermis fimpliciffimus, membranaceus, cavus.

hollow, membranaceus worm.

A very

fimple;,

119.

Burfaria Truncatella.

Burfaria ventricofa, apice truncata.

Ventricofe burfaria, the

top truncated.

An
'

animalculum that

is

vifible to

the naked eye, white and

is

oval, truncated at the top,

where there

a large aperture, the

;

opening that forms the aperture defcending towards the bafe

the bottom of

at

mo

ft;

of them there are three or

five

yellow eggs.

It

moves

itfelf at

pleafure

from right to

left,

and from

left

to
;

right, afcending to the fuperficies

of the water in a right

i

line

fometimes

it

rolls about while defcending.

120.

Burfaria Bullina.

Burfaria cymb^formis, antice labrata.

Boat-fhaped burfaria,

the fore-part formed into a

lip.

pel-

548

Microscopical Essays.
pellucid cryftalline animalculum, fu mimed with fmaller

and

larger fplend.id globules

fwimming about within it,

the under-fide

convex, the upper-fide hollow, the fore-part forming a kind of

up.

121.

Burfaria Hirundinella.

Fig, 19, Plate

XXV.

Burfaria utrinque laciniata, extremitatibus produclis.

Burfaria with two

little

projecting wings, one on each fide, the

as to give

them fome refemblance It is invifible to the naked eye, membrane under the microhollow pellucid a be to but appears They have no vifible interlines it moves fome what like fcope.
fore and hind-part produced fo to the head and tail of a bird.
;

a fwallow

a the head, b the

tail,

one of the wings..

122.

Burfaria Duplella..

Fig. 18, Plate

XXV..

Burfaria elliptica, marginibus inflexis.

the edge bent in and out.

Elliptic burfaria,. with

cryftalline
little

membrane

folded up, no vifible interlines, if

folds.

we

except a

congeries of points under one of the

Was.

found among duck- weed.

Burfaria Globina.
*

123.

Burfaria fphaerica, medio pellucentiflima..

Spherical burfaria,

very pellucid in the middle.

A fub-

Microscopical Essays,

549

fubfpheric

hollow animalculum, the lower end furnifhed

fizes.

with black molecules of various

points, the reft entirely
it

the fore-part with obfcure

empty, and the middle very pellucid;

left.

moves (lowly from

right to

XL Cercaria,
Vermis inconfpicuus, pellucidus, caudatus.
lucid

An

invifible pel-

worm

with a

tail.

124.

Cercaria Gyrinus..

Cercaria rotundata, cauda acuminata.

This cercaria

is

round,

and has a (harp

tail.

The body
;

is

white, gelatinous, without any traces of interlines

the fore-part fomewhat globular, the hind-part round, long, and pointed fometimes it appears a little comp relied on each fide.

The

tail is in

a continual vibration while

It

it is

fwimming,

like that

of the tadpoles.
maleula.

feems very fimilar to the fpermatic ani-

125.

Cercaria Gibba.

Cercaria fubovata

con vex a,

antice

fubacuta,

cauda

tereti.

Somewhat of an
the
tail

oval fhape, convex, the fore-part rather acute,

round,

It

no
It
is

C RO

SCO P

AL

E S SAYS.
many

a fmall animalculum, gelatinous, white, opake, without

;

-any vifible interlines, the upper part convex or gibbous

?of them

were found

in

an infuhon of hay, alfo

in other infufions.

126.

Cercaria Inquieta.

Fig. 31

and 32, Plate

XXV.

Cercaria mutabilis convexa, cauda-Iaevi.

icercaria,

Changeable -convex

with a fmooth

tail.

This animalculum

fo often
it
;

changes the form of

is

if" s

body, that

it is

not eafy to defcribe

it

fometimes fpherical, fometimes

like a

long cylinder, at others of an oval figure, white, gelatitail

is

nous, the

filiform

and

flexible, the

upper part vibrating

vehemently, no
at the bafe,
at d, Fig.

vifible vifcera, a pellucid

globule

may be

obferved

and two very fmall black points placed near the top
;

32

whether they are eyes to the animalculum

found in
fait

is

not

known.
tail.

Was

water,

a,

Fig, 31, the body,

b the

127.

Cercaria

Lemna,

Fig. 33, 34,

and 35.

Cercaria mutabilis,
cercaria,

fubdepreffa,

cauda annulata.
an annulated
tail.

Mutable

fomewhat

flattened, with

This animalculum puts on fuch various forms, that

it

at firftlight

appears like the proteus of Baker,

though

it

is

altogether

different.

The body

is

capable of being contracted or extended, jdF the

.pear,

Shape of an oblong

or triangular, kidney-fnaped.

The

tail

ihort 5

RO

COP

AL

Es S A Y s

55*
cylindric,

ffiort,

thick,

and annul ated, fometimes long, bending,

rings.
It vibrates,
it

and without

when
it

it

is 11

retched out, with fo

much

velocity, that
diftinft,

appears as

were double.
fixiall

The

inteftinesis

not very

near the apex a

pellucid globule

per-

ceivable, that Muller takes to be

its

mouth; two black points

which are near

be the eyes.
a,

it,

It

but with difficulty difcovered, he fuppofes to draws the tail fometimes into the body. Fig.
tail
;

the

body
;

rather fpherical, b the

Fig. 34,

c,

33, the triangu-

lar
els,

body

Fig. 35, the body extended, e e the eyes, f f the bowveficle,, b a fmaller one. large a g

It
tail,

walks (lowly after taking three or four fleps

erecling
it
it

it

extends the
it
;

perpendicularly,

making and bending

in this

ftate

refembles

much

the leaf of the lemna.

128.

Cercaria Turbo.

Fig. 30, tlate

XXV.
Globular:

(Sercaria globulofa, cercaria, the

medio

coarclata, cauda unifeta.

tail like

middle contracted, with a

a bridle.

Partly of an oval, and partly of a fpherical fhape, pellucid,

and of a

taley appearance.

It

feems to be compofed of two glo;

bular bodies, the lower one being the fmalleft

this

figure

is

oc-

caiioned by the contraction at the middle.

points, like eyes, at the

There are two

little
is

black-,

upper part of the animalculum, even with

creature
;

a tranfverfe line which erodes the top of this

ral large
[trait,

feve-

globules

may be

difcerned, the

tail

fometimes quite
is

fometimes turned back on. the body.

It

to be met. with

among, the duck-weed.

12-9.

Cerf

55 2
i

Microscopical Essays.
29.

Cercaria Poduria.

Fig.

37 and 38, Plate

XXV,
Cyli
:

Cercaria cylindracea,

poflice

acuminata

fubfifla.

cercaria. the hind-part (harp,

and fomewhat cloven.

It

refembles the
is

young ones of the podura which

feeras to
confift

live

among

the lemna,

pellucid, and

of a head, a trunk,

and a
is

tail

the fore-part refembles the head of a herring, the trunk

cyhndriCj and replete

with black

fpiral

interlines

appears

more

oriels ventricofe, at the will of the animal.

Nothing to be
fit

difcovered in the hinder-part.

pears divided into two brill les.
is

The

tail,

in

moft

nations,

ap-

When

the animal moves, there

a continual motion

various (hades they

among the interlines, which, from the occaflon, make the body appear very rough
;

fome

lateral hairs '(cilia) are

fometimes perceived.

It

moves from

one place to another, turning round at the fame time as upon an It is to be found in November and December, in marfhy axis.
places that are covered with lemna. trunk, c the
tail,

Fig. 36, a the head,

is

b the

d with one point,

it

feen at

e,

Fig. 37, with

two

points

f the hairs

on the

fide.

130.

Cercaria Viridis.

Cercaria cylindracea mutabilis, poflice acuminata

drical cercaria, mutable, the lower

fiffa.

Cylin-

end (harp, and divided into

two

parts.

This animalculum, when in

preceding
;

it's

longed

(late,

is

not unlike the

is

but from the changes to which the body

fubjecl, as

well

Microscopical Essays.
well as the colour,
it

553

differs
tail,

confiderably from
fo
as to

contracts the head and

others the
ditches of

fides project

outwards.

it. It fometimes form a fpherical figure at Is found in the fpring, in

;

Handing water.

131.

Cercaria Seiifera.

Cercaria

cylindracea,

antice

anguPdor,

poflice

acuminata.

Cylindric cercaria, the fore-part fmalleft, the hind-part pointed.

This

is

a fmall cercaria, the

body rather opake, round, the

than the
a
little

upper part bright, .and

fmall er

reit

the trunk

is

more opake, the

It

tail

fharp, near

it is
is

row of

fhort hairs.

has a flow rotatory motion, and

it is

feldom to be met with, and

when found

in fait water.

132.

Cercaria Hirta.

Cercaria cylindrica, antice fubtruncata, poPcice obtufa, bimucronata.

Cylindrical cercaria, the fore-part foinewhat truncated,

the lower part obtufe, fmifhing with two fmall points.

cylindrical

opake animalculum, with two fmall points

at

the lower end, moveable, yet rigid, and placed at fome diftance

from each other

other.

when

in motion, the

body feems

as if

it

was

furrounded with rows of fmall hairs, feparated a

It

little

from each

was obferved

in fait water.

133, Cer-

554

Microscopical Essays.
133.

Cercaria Crumena.

Cercaria cylindraceo-ventricofa, antiee oblique truncata, cauda

lineari bicufpidata.

Cylindrical ventricofe cercaria, the Fore-part

tail linear,

obliquely truncated, the

terminating with two diverg-

ing points.

The body

is

ventricofe
;

and

cylindrical, mufcular

and thick,
ftrak

the lower part fmall

the upper part terminates in a fmaW,

;

neck, like the neck of a pitcher

tail

the

body appears wrinkled, the

terminated as in the definition.

134,

Cercaria Catellus..

Cercaria tripartita, cauda bife&a.

tail

Three-parted cercaria, the

divided into two parts.

This animalculum
others
;

is

more complex

in
is
is

it's

form than many

it

has a moveable head, which

;

affixed to the

body
is

only by a point
as

an abdomen, which

not fo wide, but twice

long

as the head,

replete with interlines,

and a

tail

which

fhorter than the head, narrower than the belly,

in
;

and terminating
It
firft

two briftles thefe it can unite and feparate at pleafure. moves with vivacity, though without going far from it's

place.

135.

Cercaria Catelina,

Cercaria tripartita, cauda bicufpidata.

into three parts, with a ihort forked tail.

Cercaria diftinguifhed

Microscopical Essays.
It differs

555
being larger,

from the preceding

in

feveral refpects,

the

body

thicker,

more

cylindrical,

and the lower part truncated,

with two fhort diverging points projecting from the middle. found in a ditch where there was plenty of duck-weed.
Cercaria Lupus.

Was

36.

Fig. 39, Plate

XXV,
fpinis

'

Cercaria cylindrica,

clongata,
tail

torofa

cauda

duabus.

Cylindric cercaria, long, the

furniihed with two fpines.

This animalculum

is

larger than
it

mo ft

of the cercarias, and has

It
is

feme

particulars in

which

refembles the vorticella.

full

of

mufcles,

capable of being contracted or extended;

a trunk,

cylindric,

compofed of a head,
tail is like

and a

tail

the head

is

larger than

the body, the apex turned downwards into a

little

hook

the

the body, but narrower, terminating in

it

two very bright

itfelf

fpines, that

extends differently.
it's

It
it

fometimes contracts
extends
itfelf to
it's

into one half

fize

then again

ufual

form,

Was found

in

b the trunk, c the

tail,

water among duck-weed, dd the fpine thereof.

the head,

137.

Cercaria Vermicularis.

Fig. 40,

Cercaria cylindrica annulata/ probofcide

duplici.

exfertili,

cauda fpina

Cylindrical, annulated, with a projecting probofcis,

two

fmal'l fpines for

the

tail.

It is

a long, cylindrical, flefhy, mutable animalculum, divided

into eight or nine rings, or folding plaits, the apex either obtufe

or notched into two points, the hind-part rather acute, and

ter-

3X2

mmating

55 6

Microscopical Essays.
fome times a fwelling is peroften proje&s from the in ci lion at the
;

minating in two pellucid thorns

ceived between thefe.
It

apex, a kind of cloven probofcis.

is

Is

found

in

water where there

duck-weed,

d d the points of the

fore-part, e the probofcis.

138.

Cercaria Forcipata.

Cercana

cylindrica,

rugofa, probofcide

forcipata

exfertili,

cauda bicufpidata.

Cercaria cylindrical, wrinkled, with a forked probofcis, that can thru ft out, or pull in. It is found in marfhy fituations.

it

139.

Cercaria Pleuroneaes.

Fig. 38, Plate

XXV.
tail,

Cercaria orbicularis, cauda unifeta. ing of one brittle.

Orbicular the

confid-

It is

membranaceous, rather round, and white.

In the fore-

part are two blackifh points.

flender fharp
ferent
fizes
; ;

The

hind-part

is

furnimed with a

tail.

In the middle are orbicular Interlines of dif-

the larger of
in

them are

bright.

It's

motion

is is

vacillatory

fwimming, one edge of the

lateral

membrane

upwards; the other, folded down. Found in water that has been kept feveral months,

140. Ccr-

Mi croscopic al Essays.
140.

557

Cercaria Tripos.

Fig. 38, Plate

XXV.
Cercaftrait

Cercaria Tub triangularis, brachiis deflexis, cauda redla.

ria
tail.

fomewhat of a triangular form, two bent arms, and a

The body
the
triangle,

flat,

pellucid, triangular, each angle of the bale of

or fore-part thereof, being bent

down

into

two

linear ears, or
tail.

arms

the apex of the triangle

is

prolonged into a

It

was found

in fait water;

b the

tail,

a the bent arms.

141. Cercaria Cyclidium.

Cercaria ovalis, poftice fubemarginata, Cauda exterfili.

oval, the hind-part fomewhat notched, with a
tail,

This
it

is

that

thrufts

out

at pleafure.

It's

body

is
'

oval, fmooth,

membranaceous,

pellucid,

with a

black margin.

The

tail is

not fixed to the edge, but concealed

it

under

it,

and coming out from

little

at

every motion, and yet fo as

to project but

from the edge.

There

is

a kind of border to
Is fre-

the hinder-part.

It's

inteftines are very pellucid veficles.

quently found in pure water.

142. Cercaria

Tenax.
cauda
thick,

Cercaria membranacea,
triplo

antice craffiufcuia,

truncata,

breviore.
tail

Membranaceous, the fore-part rather

three times fhorter.

truncated, the

It

55
It
is

Microscopical Essays.
an oval, pellucid membrane, fomething larger than the

mona

lens.

The

fore-edge thick and truncated, the hinder-part

tail,

acute, or terminating in a Ihort

directions with great velocity.

It

whirls about in various

143.

Cercaria Difcus.

Cercaria orbicularis, cauda curvata.

ria,

A fmall

orbicular cerca-

with a bent

tail.

144.

Cercaria Orbis.

Cercaria orbicularis, feta caudali duplici Iongiffima.

cercaria, with a
tail,

Orbicular

confining of two very long

briftles.

145.

Cercaria Luna.

Cercaria orbicularis, cauda lineari duplici brevi.

cercaria, with two fhort fpines for a
tail
;

Orbicular

the fore-part hollow-

ed, fo as to

form a kind of crefcent.

XII,

Leucophra.
ciliatus.

Vermis inconfpicuus, pellucidus, undique

An

invifible

worm, pellucid and every where

/

ciliated.

146. Leu-

Microscopical Essays.
146,

559

Leucophra Conlhclor.
mobilibus.

Leucophra
rical

fphaerica, fubopaca, interaneis

Sphe-

opake leucophra, with moveable

interlines.

This animalculum, or rather a heap of anhnalcula, fpheriqal, and larger than moil fpecies of the vorticella

is

perfectly
it is

femiIt

tranfparent, of a yellow colour, the edges of a dark colour.

is filled

with a number of the raoft minute molecules,

it

rolls

at

intervals,

from right to
found.

left,

but

fel

dom removes from

the fpot

where

it is firft

The innumerable
without any order.

molecules circumfcribed within

it

this

fphere

are in continual motion-, and, as

were, in vehement conflict,

From

the great concourfe of combatants

is

on

one
or

fide,

or the other, the fphere

turned either to the right

;

left,

the molecules going in

the fame direction

it is

then tranviolent,

quil for a fliort time, but foon the conflict

becomes more
fide,

and the fphere

is

moved towards

the other

and continues to
fail,

move

in a fpiral line.

When

the water begins to

;

they affume

an oblong, oval, or a cylindric figure the hind-part of fome is compreffed into a triangular fhape, and the tranfparent part efcaping as
it

were from the

till

interlines,

which continue
fails,

to

move

with the fame violence

the water

when

the molecules

are fpread into an uninformed mafs.

But

this alfo

foon vanifhes,
fal

when

they fhoot into the form of the cryftals of

ammoniac,

as defcribed

by Baker,

p. 3, No.g,

147.

Leu

5 6o

Microscopical Essays,
147.

Leucophra Mamilla.
opaca, papilla

Leucophra

fphaerica,

exfertili.

Spherical opake

leucophra, with a fmall papillary projection.

It

is

of a dark colour, and

filled
;

with globular molecules, the

projects,

fhort hairs are curved inwards

fionally a
little

it

and draws

in in

occa-

white protuberance, not

uncommon

marfhy

water.

148.

Leucophra

Virifcens.

Leucophra cylindracea, opaca, poftice craffiore. Cylindrical, opake leucophra, the lower part much thicker than the upper
part.

This
filled

is

a large, pear fhaped, greenifh

coloured animalculum,

with opake molecules, and covered with fhort hairs, gene-

rally

moving

in a

f Ira it

line.

Found

in fait water.

149.

Leucophra

Viridis.

Leucophra

ovalis opaca.

Oval, opake leucophra.

Though
cophra
particulars

at

firfl

fight

it

may be

taken for a variety of the leuit

it

virifcens, yet
;

on a further examination,

diners in

many
feen

it

cannot lengthen and fhorten

It
is

'elf in

the fame
it is

manner
in two.

that does.

alio

much

fmaller.
it

Sometimes
to

to be contracted in the middle, as if

was going

be divided

1^0.

Leu-

Microscopical Essays.
150.

Leucophra Burfata.
truncata.

Leucoplira

viridis, ovalis, antice

Green oval

leu-

cophra, the fore-part truncated.

This
phra,

is

fimilar

in

many

refpe&s to

the foregoing
filled

leuco-

it is

a long oval, bulging in the middle,

with green
is

molecules, every where ciliated, except at the apex, which

truncated, and

fomewhat of the fhape of a purfe

in little fafcicles. It
is

the hairs larger,

and fometimes collected

water.

to be found in fait

151.

Leucophra Pofthuma.
opaca, reticulo pellucenti.
it

Leucophra

globularis,

Globular

opake leucophra, covered as

were with a pellucid

net.

Was

found

in fcetid fait water.

152.

Leucophra Aurea.
utraque extremitate
aeq-uali

Leucophra

ovalis, fulva,

obtufus.

Oval yellow leucophra, both ends of it equally obtufe.

The little

hairs are with difficulty difcovered

it

has, in general,

a vehement

rotatory motion.

153. Leu

5&2

Microscopical Essays,
j

53.

Leucophra
gelatinofa,

Pertufa.

Leucophra
latera fu Holla.

ovalis,

a pice truncate obtufa,

altera

Oval gelatinous leucophra, the apex obtufely

truncated, one fide funk down.

Gelatinous, yellow, without any fmall or large molecules

fore- part truncated, the hind-part

the

brought nearly to a point, a

in fait water,

kind of oval hole on one

fide.

It

was found

154.

Leucophra Fracta.

Leucophra elongata, fihuato angulata fubdepreffa.

phra long, with finuated angles, rather
flat.

Leuco-

The body

is

white, gelatinous, granulated,

flat,

changing

it's

form confiderably.

Leucophra

Bilatata.

Leucophra complanata,

mutabilis, marginibus fmuatis.

Smooth

changeable leucophra, with a finuated edge.

A gelatinous

membrane, with a few grey molecules

in the fore-

part, and a great

number
irregular

in the

hinder-part;

it

is

fometimes

dilated into a triangular form, with finuated fides

at other. times

the fhape

is

more

and oblong.

1x6.

Leu*

Microscopical Essays.
456.

5%

Leucophra
opaca

Scintillans.

Leucophra

ovalis, teres,

viridis.

Oval, round, opake,

green leucophra.

This animalculum

is

fuppofed to be

ciliated,

from

it's

bright

twinkling appearance, which probably arifes From the motion

it

gives the water

it is

nearly of an egg-fhape.

Was

found in

December among

the leffer lemnae.

157.

Leucophra

Veficulifera.

Fig. 41, Plate

XXV.

Leucophra ovata,
with veficular

interaneis veficularibus.

Oval leucophra,

intef lines.

An animalculum

that

is

a kind of

mean between
little

the orbicular

find oval, very pellucid, with a defined dark edge

and

infide,

containing fome very bright veficles, or

bladders.

The

middle often appears blue, fo that the

fet in

little

bright veficles feem

a cerulean fub fiance.

Muller could never perceive any of

thofe rays which are mentioned

by Spalanzani; he
like this

confefles,

however, that he once faw an individual

very fmall unequal mining rays,

environed with

158.

Leucophra Globulifera.

Leucophra cry flail ina, ovato-oblonga.

of an oblong oval fhape.

Cryflalline leucophra 9

|Y2'

The

gf5

Microscopical Essays.
is

The body
to ft ines,
it is

round, very pellucid,

at

without molecular inlittle

though

one edge

it

has three
hairs.

pellucid globules

every-where befet with fhort

It

was found

in a ditch

where the lemna minor grows.

159.

Leucophra

Puftulata.

Leucophra ovato-oblonga,

poftice oblique truncata.

An

ob-

long oval leucophra, the lower end obliquely truncated.

The body
lower part
is

is

white, gelatinous,

fomewhat granulated

the
in

truncated, as if an oblique feclion

It is

was made

an
is

egg near the bottom.

at the

covered with

little

mining erecl
discovered.

nairs,
It

lower end a few bright pufiules

in

may be

found

marfhy waters.

160.

Leucophra Turbinata. Leucophra in fhape

Leucophra inverfe conica, fubopaea.

like

an inverted cone, and rather opake..

It is a

round pellucid body, fomewhat of an acorn fhape, with

a pellucid globule at the lower end.

water.

Was

found

in (linking fait

161.

Leucophra Acuta.
apice acuto,
mutabilis,
flavicans,

Leucophra ovata,

teres,

Oval leucophra, round, with the apex acute, mutable, yellow.

Gel4*

Microscopical Essays.

5%

Gelatinous, mutable, and thick, the apex bright, the reft of

the

body crammed with an innumerable quantity of little fpheIt is fometimes drawn up into an orbicular fhape, at other rules.
times one edge
is

finuated.

It

was found in

fait

water.

162.

Leucophra Notata.

Leucophra ovata,

teres,

pun&o

marginali atro.

Oval leuco-

phra, round, with a black point at the edge.

163.

Leucophra Candida.

Leucophra hyalina, oblonga, altera extremitate attenuata, Leucophra of a talcy appearance, oblong, one end curvata. fmaller than the other, and bent back.

The body membranaceous, flat, very white, with no terlines, if we except two oval bodies which are with
perceived; the whole edge
-fait
is

vifible in-

difficulty

ciliated.

Found

in an infuhon of

water*

164.

Leucophra Nodulata.
depreffa, ferie

Leucophra ovato-oblonga,

nodulorum rduplick

An oblong
nodules,
.

oval fpecies of leucophra, with a double,

row of little

365. -Lea*,-

-Mi c r o s cop rc a l

E ss a y s.

165.

Leucophra Signata.

Leucophra oblonga, fubdeprefla.

cophra, with a black margin,
filled

Oblong fubdepreffed
with
little

leu-

molecular globules,
line in the
this

but more particularly diftinguimed by a curved

dle,

midis

fomething in the fhape of a long S

fpiral.

one end of
in
fait

at

times bent into a fmall

Common

water,

in the

months of November and December.

166.

Leucophra "Trigona.
Thick, obtufe, an-

Leucophra
gular,

crarTa, Obtufa, angulata, flava.

and yellow leucophra.

with unequal pellucid

A triangular yellow mafs,

one of which
with
little
is

filled

veficles,

much

larger than the reft, the edge furrounded

It
is

fluctuating hairs.
fituation.

not common.

Was

found in

a marfhy

167.

Leucophra

Fluida.

Leucophra fubreniformis,

ventricofa.

Leucophra fomewhat

of a kidney

{hape, but ventricofe.

168.

Leucophra Fluxa.
Reniform finuated leucophra.

Leucophra fmuata

reniformis,

169.

Leu

Microscopical Essays.
169.

567

Lcucophra Armilla.

Leucophra

teres annularis.

Round annular

leucophra.

170.

Leucophra Cornuta.

Fig.

42 and 43, Plate

XXV.
cone;

Leucophra
green, pake.

inverfe conica, viridis opaca.

An inverted

fome refemblance to the vorticella polymorpha and the vorticella viridis, and requires to be obferved for fome time bethe body conv fore it's peculiar characters can be afcertained
It

bears

pofed of molecular
part
it is

veficles,

of a dark green colour

for the molt

like

with a

little

an inverted cone, the fore-part wide and truncated, prominent horn, or hook, on both fides, the hindevery-where
ciliated,,

part being conical,

the hairs exceeding

minute

thofe in the fore-part are three times longer than thefe,

in a circular direction.

and moving

The

hinder-part

is

pellucid,

and fometimes terminates in two or three obtufe pellucid projections.

The animalculum

will at

one moment appear oval,

;

at

another reniform, and

the hairs are concealed.

ciliated on the fore-part

at

another time
it

When

the water evaporates,

It is

breaks

or diflbives into molecular veficles.

in

found

late in the

year
it

marfhy grounds.
at b,
fides,

Fig. 42, a the hinder-part

pointed,
f the

is

obtufe

Fig.

43,

e the fore -part, g the

cilia,

horn.v

k the

171, Leu*-

Microscop ical Essays.

i

i.

Leucophra Heteroclita.

Fig.

44 and 45.

Leucophra

cylindrica, antice obtufa, poftice

organo

criftato

duplici exfertili.

Cylindrical leucophra, the fore-part obtule, the

it

hind-part furnifhed with a double-tufted organ, which

thruft in or out at pleafure.

can

To

the naked eye

it

appears as a

white point, in the microfcope as a cylindrical body, the forepart obtufely round, the middle rather drawn
in,

the lower part

round, but

much
very

fmaller than the upper part.

is

With

a large

magnifying power the whole body

interlines are
vifible.

found to be

ciliated.
it

The
gene-

It is

reprefented in Fig. 44 as

rally appears, in Tig.

45 with the plumed organs,

interlines,
ii

a the fore-

part,

b the hind-part, d the hooked

the plumes,

gg

the fheaths from which they are projected.

XIII.

Trichoda,
crinitus.

Vermis inconfpicuus, pellucidus,

cid, hairy

An in vifible,

pellu-

worm.

172.

Trichoda Grandinella.
fuperne crinata.
Spherical,

Trichoda
;pellucid, the

fphaerica,

pellucida,

upper part hairy.

interlines fcarce vifible,

moft minute pellucid globule, the

it's

the top of
briflles,

furface furnimed with two, three, or

difficulty feen, the

more

fhort

which are with 6

animalculum extending,

and

Microscopical Essays,
and then withdrawing them
in

5 69 found in pure

an

inftant.

It

is

water, and in infufions of vegetables.

17,3.

Trichoda Cometa.

Fig,

46 and 47, Plate

XXV.
Sphe-

Trichoda fphserica, antice

rical,

crinita,

globulo appendente.

the fore-part hairy, with an appendant globule.

It is

a pellucid globule, replete with bright interlines, the fore-

part furnilhed with hairs, the hind-part with a pellucid appendant

globule,

174.

Trichoda Granata.

Fig. 48, Plate

XXV.
Sphe-

Trichoda
rical,

fphaerica, centro

opaco, peripheria crinata.

with an opake center, the periphery hairy.

It

refembles the trichoda grandinella and trichoda cometa.

;

It

has a darkifh nucleus in the center

ble
;

it's

interlines are

impercepti-

fhort hairs

on the edge.

175.

Trichoda Trochirs.

Trichoda fubpiriformis, pellucida,

fore-part diftinguifhed

antice

utrinque crinita.
fide

Trichoda fomewhat of a pear-fhape, pellucid, each

of the

by a

little

bunch of hairs.

176, Tri-

Microscopical Essays.
176.

Trichoda Gyrinus.

Trichoda ovalis

teres cryflallina, antice crinita.

Oval, round,

cryftalline trichoda, the front hairy.

It is

one of the fmalieft among the trichoda, the body fmootb

and
few.

free

from

hairs,

except at the fore-part, where there are

a*

Found

in fait water.

177.

Trichoda Sol.

Fig.

65 and 66, Plate

XXV.

Trichoda

giobularis,

undique radiata.

Globular trichoda^

every-whcre radiated.

This fplendid creature conflitutes a new genus, but of no more of the fame kind,
cryftalline
it is

as

we know
a
is

introduced

here..

It is
it

little

round corpufele, the upper part convex;

befefc

with innumerable diverging rays, which are longer than the

body, proceeding from every part of

fimilar molecules.

it's

furface

in the infide are

itfelf,

The body

contracts and dilates

the

ani-

malculum remaining confined to the fame fpot. It, was found in: water in which there were other infuforia, and which had been kept for three weeks. It propagates by divifion, and is reprefented as dividing in Fig. 66.
.'

278.

Trichoda

Solaris.,

Trichoda fphaeroidea, peripheria

crinita.

Spheroidal trichoda^

with a few hairs round the circumference^

The

Microscopical Essays.
The body
middle of
letter S.
it
;

571

is

bright, orbicular, with

globular vifcera in the

in

many

a moveable fubitance, fomething like the

;

may be

difcovered

it

has feldom

more than feventeen

;

hairs,
is

which are difpofed round the circumference

each of them,

in length nearly equal to the

diameter of the animalculum.

179.

Trichoda Bomba,

Fig. 67

and 68.
Changeable, with a

Trichoda mutabilis, antice

pilis fparfis.

few hairs difperfed on the fore-part.

It
it is

is

larger than the trichoda granata,

and of a yellow colour;

a thick animalculum, pellucid,

;

clay molecules

it

is

very lively,

and replete with a kind of moving about with fo much

velocity as to elude the fharpeft fight and moft pertinacious obferver,

fometimes appearing fpherical, fometimes reniform, (kid-

ney-fhaped) fometimes as at Fig. 67.

180.

Trichoda Orbis.
emarginata

Trichoda

orbicularis.,

antice

crinita.

Orbicular,

the fore- part notched and hairy.

It in

fome

refpefts refembles the former, but

little

is

larger

is

orbi

cular,

fmooth, and pellucid, a

notched in the fore-part

iricifion,

the hairs, which are longer than ufual, occupy this

reft

the

of the margin has no

hairs

the whole

is

compofed 6f yeficu-

lar molecules.

ilJ

Tri-

572
181.

Microscopical Essays.
Trichoda Urnula.
Fig. 64.

Trichoda

urceolaris, antice crinita.

This trichoda

is

in the

form of a water

pitcher, the fore-part hairy.

A membranaceous pellucid animalculum,

the middle- fomething broader,

the hind-part obtufe^

the fore- part truncated, filled

with veficular black molecules

tha hairs in the fore-part areflow.

even and

fhort.

It's

motion

is

182.

Trichoda Diota.

Trichoda
sta.

urceolaris, antice anguftata, ora apicis utrinque cri-

Pitcher-fhaped trichoda, the fore-part fmalleft, each edge

of the upper-part of the mouth hairy.

The body is of a

clay colour,

and

filled

with molecules; the

lower part fpherical, the upper part cylmdrical and truncated,.

183*

Trichoda Horrida

Tricheda fubconica antice

fetis

latiufcula, truncata poftice obtufa,,.

radiantibus cincla.

Trichoda fomewhat of a conical* form^

the fore-part rather broad and truncated, the lower part obtufe^

the body covered with radiating

briftleso

Microscopical Essays.
184.

573

Trichoda Urinarium.
Egg-fhaped, with

Trichoda ovata, roftro breviflimo

a fhort hairy beak.

crinito.

185.

Trichoda Semiluna.
Semiorbicu-

Trichoda femiorbicularis, antice fubtus

Iar,

crinita.

the fore-part hairy underneath.

A pellucid fmooth animalculum,

moon
in the
firft

refembling the figure of the

quarter..

186.

Trichoda Trigona.

Fig. 63.

Trichoda convexa, antice

ciliata,
it

poftice erofa.

Convex, the
off.

fore-part ciliated, the hind-part as

were gnawed

This

is

a triangular animalculum, a

little

convex on both fides,

the fore-part acute, the hind-part a

little

broader.

notch

is

feen at a in the hind-part, b the ciliated fore -part, c a tube.

187.

Trichoda Tinea.
This

Trichoda clavata, antice

crinita, poflice grofla.

is

club-

bed, the fore-part hairy, the hind- part large.

This animalculum

is

round, not very pellucid, refembling an

;

inverted club, narrow before

it is

alfo like

fome of the

tinea.

188.

TvL

574

Microscopical Essays,
188.

Trichoda Nigra.

Trichoda

ovalis compreffa, antice latior crinita.

Oval com-

preffed trichoda, the fore-part broader and hairy.

The body
at reft

is

opake,
is

when
;

in violent

motion

it

is

black,

when
is

one

fide

pellucid

the middle of the fore- part

hairs.
It

fur-

nifhed with

little

moveable

was found

in fait water.

189,

Trichoda Pubes.

Fig. 61

and 62.

Trichoda ovatr-oblonga gibba, antce depreffa. fhaped oblong bunch, fore-part depreffed.

An

egg-

An

animalculum with a bunch above the hind-part, marked

little

with black fpots, depreffed towards the top, a

;

folded,

and

fomewhat convex underneath at leaft this is if s appearance when in motion. Very minute hairs occupy the apex, but which are with difficulty feen, except when it is in the agonies of
death,
it

then ftretches them out with

at the top,

ed chink

all it's might from an archmoving them vehemently, and endeavouring

as it were to draw in the laft drop of water. Is found in water where the duck-weed grows, moftly in December, b the hairs, c the black globules, a the projeaing bunch.

igo.

Trichoda FIoccus.

Trichoda membranacea, antice fubcomca,

tis.

papillis tribus crini-

Membranaceous

trichoda, the fore-part rather conical, three

bafe,

fmall papillae projed

from the

which are

fet

with hairs.
Tri-

Microscopical Essays.
191*

575

Trichoda Sinuata.
altero

Trichoda oblonga
poftice obtufa.

depreffa,

margine fmuato

crinita,

An oblong

depreffed trichoda, one margin hol-

low and

hairy, the lower

end obtufe.

The

inteftines

feem to be more lymphatic than molecular

is

it is

of a yellow colour, the hollow edge

that

which

is

ciliated.

It

was found

in river water.

192.

Trichoda Praeceps.

Trichoda membranacea, fublunata, medio protuberante, extrorfum

crinita.

Membranaceous

trichoda,

fomewhat lunated,

protuberant in the middle, a row of hairs on the outfide.

A pellucid membrane,
neck, one edge other edge
is

the fore-part formed into

a protuberance like a

kind of
the

rifes into

hump back,

convex.

193. Trichoda Proteus.

Fig.

5 6, 57s 58, 59, 6o3

Plate

XXV.

Trichoda
crinito.

ovalis, poftice obtufa, collo elongata retra&ile, a pice

which

it

Oval trichoda, the lower part obtufe, with a long neck, has a power of contracting or extending.
Baker's

EmpL

for Micr, p. 340, 348.

This

-6
This
is

Microscopical Essays,
the fame animalculum which was dignified
it's

by Mr*
for the
it

Baker with the name of proteus, on account of

great

affuming a

number of different
in
it's

ihapcs, fo as fcarce to be
;

known

lame animal
will often

various transformations

and

indeed, unlefs

be carefully watched while paffing from one (hape to another,

it

become fuddenly

invifible.

When water,
weeks, in any

wherein any

forts

of vegetables have been inha-

led, or animals preferved, has

ftood quietly for fome days, or

glafs or other veffel, a finny fubilance will

be col-

lected about the fides,

point of a penknife, placed on a

fome whereof being taken up with the flip of glafs, in a drop of water,

and looked
about

at

through the microfcope, will be found to harbour

little

feveral kinds of
at large.

animals that are feldom feen fwimming

infe6l

The

we

are treating of

is

one of thefe, and

was difcovered in fuch flime-like matter, taken from the fide of a

glafs jar, in

which fmall
It's

fifties,

water-fnails,

and other creatures

had been kept.

mail's
;

body

in fubftance

and colour refembled a

(lender,

the ftiape thereof was fomewhat elliptical, but pointed at

one end, whilft from the other a long,

portioned neck flretched
head,
itfelf out,

and

finely-pro-

and was terminated with a

parts of

of a

fize perfectly

fuitable to the other

the

animal.

194. Tri-

Microscopical Essays,
294.

577

Trichoda

Verfatilis.

Trichoda oblonga, poftice acuminata,

apicem
crinito.
it

collo retraclili,

infra

Oblong

trichoda, the hind-part acute, with a

neck that

can extend or contract at pleasure, the under part of

the extremity of the neck hairy.

It

refembles in fome meafure the trichoda proteus, but the

is

neck

fhorter,

and the apex

It lives in

lefs

fpherical,

the hinder-part of

the trunk acute.

the fea.

195.

Trichoda Gibba.
gibbera,

Fig. 55.

Trichoda oblonga, dorfo

ciliata,

ventre excavata, antice

trichoda, with a

extremitatibus obtufis.

Oblong

bunch

on the back, the

ends obtufe.

belly hollowed out, the fore-part ciliated, both

The body

is

pellucid, the upper-part fwelled out, within

it

are

numerous obfcure molecules, and three large globules, the ends rather incline downwards; when the water begins to fail, a few
minute hairs may be difcovered about the head, and
at the

abdo-

men

the

body then becomes

196.

ftriated longitudinally.

Trichoda Foeta.
extremi-

Trichoda oblonga, dorfo protuberante, antice

tatibus obtufis.

ciliata,

Oblong

trichoda, with

the back protuberant,

the fore-part ciliated, both ends obtufe.

4

The

c8

Microscopical E s say s.
is

The body
the other;
as
to.

rolling-pin in fhape, with the ends obtufe,

it

round and long, and when extended refembles a and one fhorter than
fides,

can draw in the ends, and fwell out the

fo

appear almoft fpherical.

197.

Trichoda Patens.

Fig. 54.

Trichoda elongata,
cihata.

teres,
is

antice

foveata,

fovsa marginibus,

This trichoda

long, round, in the

fore-part

it

has a

long hole, the edges of which are ciliated.

It

is

a long cylindrical animalculum,

filled

with molecules, the

near the top, which
It
is

'fore-part bright

and

clear,

a long opening
is

(a)

tapers to a point,

and

befet

with hairs.

found o,

different lengths in fait water.

198.

Trichoda Patula.

Trichoda ventricofa,

fubovata,

antice canaKcuIata, apice 8c

canaliculo crinito.
figure,

Ventrieofe, rather inclining towards an oval

with a fmall tube at the fore-part, the upper end of the

tube befet with hairs.

199.

Trichoda Foveata.

Trichoda oblonga,
poftice mutica.

latiufcula,

antice corniculis rmcantibus>

Oblong

trichoda,

rather broad,

three

little

horns on the fore-part, the hinder-part beardlefs.

200. Tri-

Microscopical Essays.
200.

579

Trichoda

Striata,

Trichoda oblonga, altero margine curfum,

utraque extremitate obtufa.

Ifriuata

et^eihata,

Oblong

trichoda,

one edge rather

curved, and alfo furnifhed with a row of hairs, both extremities

obtufe.

It is

a fplendid animal culum, of a fox colour, and at

firft

fight

might be taken for a kolpoda.

The body
fet

is

oblong, the lower

at that part

end

is

the largeft, the

body becoming
it

final ler

where
eggs,

the hairs

commence
other,

has a

of ftreaks which run from one

a double

end to the
December.

and

at the

abdomen
It

row of little

lying in a tranfverfe direction.

was found in

river water in

201.

Trichoda Uvula.

Fig. 53.

Trichoda planiufcula elongata, sequalis, antice

flat

crinita.

Rather

and long, of an equal

fize

throughout, the fore-part hairy.

This animalculum

is

fix

times longer than

it is

broad, round,

llexuous, of an equal fize, the greater part filled with obfcure

molecules, the fore-part (a) rather empty, diftinguifhed by an

alimentary canal, and lucid globules near the middle c

hairs

fhort

occupy the margin of the

fore-part,

fomeare difperfed

into

a chink near the canal.

Found

in

an infufion of hay,, &c.

4A

202. Tri-

Microscopical Essays*
202.

Trichoda Aurantia.
patula, apice ad

Trichoda
crinita.

fubfi/iuata, ovata, antice

medium

Trichoda fomewhat

finuated,. oval, the fore-part broad,

the apex hairy to the middle.

It
.

is

of a gold colour, pellucid, and

filled

with a variety ofi

veficles^

203..

Trichoda

Ignita..

Triehoda ovata; apice acuminata, fubtus

fulcata, fulco crinito.

Oval trichoda, the .apex

the furrows hairy.

rather, acute, the

under part furrowed*

It is

of a

fine

purple gold colour, fomewhat of a reddifli

caftj..
;

pellucid, fplendid, with a

number of difFerent-fized globules

were through the body..

the

fore-part fmall, the hind-part obtufe, and having a very large

opening, which runs as

it

204.

Trichoda Prifma.

Trichoda ovata; fubtus eonvexa, fupra

antice anguftior.

in

carinam comprefla,

Oval trichoda, the under part convex, the up*

per part eompreffed into a kind of keel, the fore-part fmall]

very fmaUj and fo transparent* as- not eafily to be de* Mneated 5. no hairs could be obferved ? and it's form is lingular.
It is

2050 Tri-

Microscopical Essays.
205.

5 8i

Trichoda Forceps.

Trichoda
tis.

ovalis, antice forcipata, cruribus insequalibus

crini-

Oval trichoda, with a pair of forceps

hairy legs.

at the fore-part, with,

unequal

A large

animalculum, fomewhat depreffed, of a pellucid yeh

;

low colour, filled with molecules black opake globule, the fore-part
of thefe
is

in the lower part there

is

is

divided into long lobes, one

in the fhape

of a

bill,

(falciformis)
;

and acute, the other

can open

dilated,

and obliquely truncated

both the apex and the edge

;

of thele are furnilhed with hairs of

different lengths
at pleafure
;

it

and (hut
it

thele forceps,

and
It

crofs

them

by

this

motion

fucks in the water.

was found
folftice.

in

water that was covered;

with lemna, about the winter

206.

Trichoda Forfex.

Trichoda ventrofa, antice forcipata, poftice papilla duplici Ventrofe trichoda, the fore-part formed into a kind of inftrufta.
forceps,,

and two fmall protuberances.

forceps of this animalculum
is

One of the

twice as long as the

other, hooked,

and

ciliated.

It

was found

in river water.

207.

Trichoda Index,
alteroque

Trichoda obovata, margine antico fubtus

apicis in

crinito,

degitum produ&o,

Obovated trichoda, the under part of

5 82

Microscopical Essays,
is

of the front margin hairy, the apex

formed by the
It

fore-part,

projecting like the finger on a direction- p oft.

fait

was found in

water.

208.

Trichoda

S.

Trichoda
flexis.

flriata,

antice ciliata, extremitatibus in

oppofitum

Striated trichoda, the fore-part ciliated, the extremities

bent in oppofite directions,

A yellow animalculum,
fil

iated longitudinally

formed of two pellucid membranes, the lower end is obliquely truncated. Trichoda Navicula.

209.

Trichoda
nula.

triquetra, antice truncata ciliata, poflice acuta

promi-

Three-cornered trichoda,

the fore-part
little

truncated

and

ciliated,

the hind-part acute, and bent a

upwards.

It

is

cry Hall ine,

rather broad,

the under-fide towards the

flrait

hinder-part convex, the fore-part broad, the apex nearly a

line,

the bent end pointed and turned upwards

it

has a kind of

longitudinal keel running

down

the middle.

210.

Trichoda Succifa.
margine
crinito, poflice in crura in-

Trichoda
aequalia

ovalis depreffa,

erofa.

Flattened oval trichoda, the edge hairy, the

hinder-part hollowed out fo as to form

two unequal

legs.

211. Tri-

Microscopical Essays,
211.

5%

Trichoda Sulcata,

Trichoda ovato-ventricofa,
utrinque crinito.
a furrow at

apice acuminata, fulco

ventral^

Ovated ventricofe trichoda, the apex acute ? the abdomen, both fides of it ciliated.

242.

Trichoda Anas.

Fig. 49,

Trichoda elongata, apice

colli fubtus crinito.

Long, the apex

of the neck underneath, hairy.

A fmooth animalculum,
Vkh darkifh molecules
neck
guid.
at
;

five times

broader than

it is

long, filled

a bright neck b c, under the top of the d there mine a few unequal hairs. It's motions are lan* It is found in pure water.

213.

Trichoda Barbata.
ab apice ad medium

Trichoda elongata,
dle, hairy.

teres, fubtus

crinita

Trichoda long, round, the under-part, from the apex to the mid-

This animalculum
tufe, the fore-part

is

round, fomewhat linear, both ends obit

narrower, forming as

were a kind of neck

is full

under

this

is

a row of fluctuating hairs.

The trunk

of grey

molecules..

214. Tri-

c r

op'1

At Essay b.
50 and 52, Plate

214.

Trichoda Farcimen.

Fig.

XXV.
thick

Trichoda elongata,

torulofa, fetulis cincla,

Long and

trichoda, fur rounded with fmall briftles.

The body
minute
hairs

is
;

long, round, pellucid,

it

and covered with very

has alfo about the body a great number of

mucid

veficles.

215.

Trichoda
undique

Crinita.

Trichoda elongata,
ufque
crinita.

teres,

ciliata,

fubtus ad

medium

Long

trichoda, round, every-where ciliated^ the

under-part alfo hairy as far as the middle.

216.

Trichoda Angulus.
Angular, the apex hairy.

Trichoda angulata, apice

This animalculum
divided,

crinita.

is

long,

by a kind

of articulation,

more convex than molt of it's kind, into two parts, of equal
indiftincl:

breadth, but differing in length, the fore-part fhorter than the

hind-part, the apex furnifhed with fhort waving hair,

molecules within-fide, no hair on the hind-part.

217,

Trichoda Linter.

Fig. 51, Plate

XXV.

Trichoda ovato oblonga, utraque extremitate prominula. The

(hape of an oblong egg, with prominencies at both extremities.

Both

Microscopical Essays.
Both
extremities of the

585
be convex
at

body are
It differs

raifed, fo as to

bottom, the upper part deprefled

like

a boat

fometimes the

whole body whirls about.

Is

from

itfelf at different ages.

found in an infufion of old

grafs.

218.

Trichoda Paxillus.

Trichoda
obtufa.

linearis depreffa, antice truncata crinitaque, poftice

flat

Linear

trichoda, the fore-part truncated

,

and

hairy,

the hinder-part obtufe.

A long animalculum,
Was
found
219,
in fait water.

full

of grey molecules, the fore-part

ra-

ther fmaller than the hind-part, and furnifhed with minute hairs.

Trichoda Vermicularis.
cylindracea,

Fig.

1,

Plate

XXVI.
erinito.

Trichoda elongata,

collo brevi, apice

Long

cylindrical trichoda, with a fhort neck, the

apex

hairy.

Gelatinous, the fore-part pellucid, the hind-part

cules.
It

full

of mole-

was found

in river water.

It is

reprefented in different

appearances in the figure, a the neck,

veficle in the hinder-part.

b the

hairs,

c a little

.220.

Trichoda Melitea.

Fig. 2, Plate

XXVI.
pili-

Trichoda oblonga,
fero.

ciliata, colli dilatabilis,

apice globofo,

Oblong

ciliated trichoda,

with a dilatable neck, the apex

is

globular, and furrounded with hairs, the edge

ciliated,

and a
kind

cS6

:
-

C R OS

CO? X GAL E S S A Y $<

is

kind of periftakic motion may be perceived. It founds and even then in fait water., a the -neok>.
apex, c the body ciliated.

very rarely
the glpbularr

h-

222,

Trichoda Fimbriate.

Eig, 2, Plate
.

XXVL

Trichoda obovata* apice

rata.

crinita , poftice

oblique truncata fer~

Ob Ova ted

trichoda, the apex hairy, the hinder-part

oW-

liquely truncated and Jerrated.

223.

Trichoda Camelus*

Trichoda antice
each

crinita, eraffiufeula

medio utrinque emarginatsu.

.

Thick, and the fore-part hairy, with notches on the middle and!
fide,

The

fore-part of the

body
in

is

ventricofe

the Hack

is

divided,

by

an incifion in the middle, into two tubercles, the lower part of the
belly, finuated.

Languid

it's

motion.

Is

found, though not

often, in infufions

of vegetables,

224.

Trichoda

Augun

Trichoda oblonga
.

vertke truncata, antico corporis margine s

fuperne pedata, inferne fetofa.

pellucid,

The body
;
.

oblong,

depreiTed s

and .filled with molecules

forming
a fmall heak 3

the vertex truncated,

the
feet
;

fore-part

underneath are three

it Is furni filed

beyond

thefe,

towards the hmder-part 3

with

briftl@g#

225. Tri-

Microscopical Essays,
225.

S7

Trichoda Pupa.

Trichoda cucullata, fronte

crinita,

cauda

iflexa.

This

tri-

choda

is

hooded, the front hairy, the

tail inflected.

At

firft

fight

it

refembles the pupa of the gnat.

The body

is

rather round, pellucid, and

may be
is

defcribed as confiding of
it

three parts

the head, which

broad, and as

were hooded,

the top furnifhed with very fmall hairs, a tranfparent veficle oc-

cupies the lower region of the head, and a certain production

hangs over the breaft from the bafe of the head, refembling the
fheath of the feet in the

pupa of the

gnat,

226.

Trichoda Lunaris.

Trichoda arcuata,

teres,

apice crinita, cirro caudali inflexo.

tail

Arched trichoda, round, the apex hairy, the

This animal culum bends
itfelf in

bent.

the form of an arch,

is

round
fore-

and
part

cryftalline, the hind-part

;

fomewhat fmaller than the

are bright and clear.

the interlines are with difficulty diftinguiftied.

tail,

The edge

of the back, and the part near the

227.

Trichoda Bilunis.

Trichoda arcuata, depreffa, apice

ing from the

crinita,

cauda

bifeta.

Arch-

ed flattened trichoda, the apex hairy, two

tail.

little

bridles proceed-

228. Tri-

5 88
228.

Mic r.osc o pig al Essays;

Trichoda. Rattus.
Fig.
4,..

Plate

XXVI.
feta Ion-

Trichoda. oblonga, carinata,

giffima*

antice

crinita, poftice

Oblong

trichoda, with

a kind

of keel, the fore-part

a.

hairy, a very long brittle proceeding

from the hinder-part.

tail,

the mouth, b a

final L,

knob

at the

bending of the

c the tail

229,

Trichoda, Tigris.

Trichoda fubcylindrica, elongata,

duabus longis.
This trichoda
tail
is

apice crinita, cauda

fetis.

long, and

fomewhat

cylindrical^,

the apex hairy, the

divided into two

longbriftles.

It differs
tail;

from the preceding in two particulars firft, that of the fecond, in a kind of incifion in the body, at fome little
;

diftanee

from the apex.

Trichoda Pocillum.
Fig.

230.

5 and

6, Plate

XXVI.

Trichoda oblonga, antice trancata,

bifeta.

crinita,

cauda articulata 9

Oblong

trichoda, the fore-part truncated

and

hairy,

the

tail articulated,

and divided into two

briftles.

The body
which

is

cylindrical, pellucid, raufcular, capable of beings

.

folded up, feems as if

is filled

it

were formed of two; the

interior one,

with molecules, has alfo an orbicular mufcular apit

pendage, which

can fhut and open, and that forms the mouth.

is

The

exterior,

one

membranaceous,
;

dilated,

pellucid,

and
r

marked, with tranfverfe ftreaks

the

ammalculum can protrude

Microscopical Essays.
r draw in the orbicular

589
In fome there
it

membrane
tail,

at pleafure.
;

are four articulations to the

in others five

has two pair

of briftles, or projecting parts, one placed

the other at the
waters.
it

at the

fecond joint,

laft.

It

has been found very often in marfhy

In Fig. 6

it is

feen with the

firft briftles,

mouth open,

in Fig.

fhut, a the jaws,

tail.

b the

c the fecond pair,

5 with d the

fpine at the

231.

Trichoda Clavusv

Trichoda antice rotundata,

crinita poftice

acuminato-caudata..

The

fore-part

round and

hairy, the hind-part furnifhed with

is

a
a&s

fharp-tail.

This animalculum

not

much

unlike in Ihape to

common naiL

232.

Trichoda Cornuta.

Trichoda fupra convexa, fubtus plana, apice

lineari flmplici.

crinita,

cauda;

Trichoda with the upper part convex, the untail

der fide plain, the apex hairy, the

linear

and fimple.

To

thefe characters

we may

add, that the

body

is

membrana-

ceous, elliptical,

crammed with

molecules, the fore-part lunated,

the hinder-part round, and terminated with a tail as long as the

Body,

233.. Tri*

Micros copic al Essays.

233.

Trichoda Gallina.

Trichoda elongata, antice

finuata, Fronte crinita,

cauda

piloFa.
tail

Long

trichoda, the fore-part finuated, the front hairy, the

formed

of fmall hairs.

The body

flat,

of a grey colour, with feven large molecules

front obtufe,
tail,

and globules within it, the

hairs.
It

and Jet with

is

hairs, the

hinder-part terminating in a

which

formed of very

fine

was found

in river water.

234.

Trichoda Mufculus.

Fig. 7, Plate

XXVI.
Egg-

Trichoda ovalis antice

crinita, poftice
tail

mbtus caudata.

Jhaped, the fore- part hairy, the

part.

projecting from the under-

A
line,

fmooth egg-fhaped animalculum, with a double margin, or drawn underneath it, the fore- part narrow, and furnimed
;

with fhort hairs that are continually playing about

the hind-part
trails,
.

underneath

is

a fmall

tail.
,

It

is

furnimed with molecular en-

and moves,

(lowly.

Is

found in infufions of hay, which

a the head, b the taih

have been kept for fome months,

235.

Trichoda Delphis.
cauda acuminata, mbrellex a.

Trichoda clavata, fronte

crinita,

Clubbed trichoda, the front

upwards.

hairy, the tail fmall,

and rather bent

It

Microscopical Essays.
Tt
is

fmooth and pellucid, the fore-part dilated into a femidecreafing in breadth towards the
tail
;

eircle,

the hairs ftand as

is

rays from the femicircular edge at the front, one edge

times contracted.
It is to

fome-

be found

in river water.

236.

Trichoda Delphinus.

Fig. 8, Plate

XXVL
trim-,
tail,;

Trichoda oblonga, antice

cata.

crinita, poftice

cauda reflexa
is

Oblong, the fore-part hairy, in the hind-part

is

the

which

turned back, the end of it truncated.

A pellucid,
Is

fmooth, egg-fhaped animaleulum;

tail

the hind-part

produced into a

about half the length of the body, dilated

;

at the

upper end, and truncated

it is

always bent upwards.

In the infide are

veficles

of an unequal
fide
;

fize;
tail

it

fometimes

moves on

it's

belly, fometimes on one

the

feldom varies
for:

in its pofition.
rfome months,

Was

found in hay that had been infufed

tail.

a the hairs on the fore-part, b the

237.

Trichoda Clava.

Trichoda clavata, fronte

crinita,

cauda

reflexili.

The

club

trichoda, the fore-part hairy, the tail turned back.

The

fore-part

is

obtufe, pellucid

both extremities and replete with molecules, the hind-part bent

thick, the hind-part narrow,

downwards towards the middle.

23S, Tri.

59 2

Microscopical Es s at s.
238.

Trichoda Cuniculus.

Trichoda

oblonga,

antice

crinita,

poftice

fubacuminata.
filled

Oblong, the fore-part hairy, the hind-part rather acute, with molecules and black veficles.
Trichoda

239.

Felis.

Fig. 9, Plate

XXVL
in caudam
large,

Trichoda curvata,
attenuata, fubtus
I

grofla, antice anguftior, poftice

ongitudinaliter crinita.

Curved trichoda,

the fere-part fmall, the hinder-part gradually diminifhed fo as to

form, a
tail,

the under-fide befet longitudinally with hairs.

tail,

the

head, b the

c the hairs.

240-

Trichoda

Pifcis.

Fig. 13

and

14, Plate

XXVL

Trichoda oblongata, antice

fitam attenuata.

crinita, poftice

in

caudam exqui-

minating in
longer than

Oblong, the fore-part hairy, the hind-part tera very flender tail. Smooth and pellucid, much
broad, but of nearly an equal breadth through-

it is

out, filled with yellow molecules, the fore-part obtufe, the hind-

part exquifitely flender and tranfparent, the upper fide

,a

is

convex*

the fore-pait, b the

tail.

241.

Trichoda Larus.

Trichoda elongata,

teres,

crinita,

cufpidi

caudali

duplicl

Long round
points.

trichoda, befet with hairs, the tail divided into

two

See Zoologia Danica.

242. Tri-

Microscopical Essays.
242.

593

Trichoda Longicauda.

Fig. 10, Plate

XXVI.
cauda elon-

Trichoda cylindracea, antice truncata

gata, biarticulata

et crinita,

& bifeta.
briftles.

Cylindrical trichoda, the

tail

truncated and

let

with hairs, the

long, with

terminated by two

a the hairs at the

tail,

foreman two joints, and mouth, d the oefo*

phagus, c the articulation of the

f the bridles.

243.

Trichoda Fixa.

Trichoda

fphserica,

peripheria crinita,

pedicello

folitario.
little

Spherical trichoda, the circumference fet with hairs, and a folitary pedicle projecting from the body.

244,

Trichoda Inquilinus.

Trichoda vagbata,
tra

folliculo

cylindrico hyalino, pedicello inin

folliculum

retortili.

Sheathed trichoda,
little

a cylindrical

tranfparent bag, and a

pedicle bent back within the bag.

See Zool. Dan. prodr. addend, p. 281.

245.

Trichoda Ingenita,

Trichoda

vaginata,

folliculo

deprefTa,

bafi

latiore

feflllis.

Sheathed trichoda, the bag depreffed, the bafe broadeft.

The animalculum
lhaped
;

that

is

contained in this (heath

is

funnel-

a hair, of hairs,
funnel.
It

may be
4

perceived on each fide of the

itfelf freely in

mouth of the

can extend or contract

ths

594

Microscopical Essays.
tail

the bag, without even touching the fides, the

bafe thereof.
It

refling

on the

was found

in lalt water.

246.

Trichoda Innata.

Fig.

1,

Plate

XXVI.

Trichoda vaginata,
culum.

folliculo cylindrico, pedieello extra folli-

Sheathed trichoda, with a cylindrical bag, the pedicle

palling through
diftinguifh
it

and projecting beyond the bag. Thefe characters

fufficiently

from the preceding one.

tail.

b the animal-

culum

in the fheath,

d the

247.

Trichoda Transfuga.

Trichoda

latiufcula, antice crinita, poflice fetofa, altero latere

finuata, altero

mucronata.
full

Broad trichoda, the

p. 281.

fore- part hairy,,

the hinder-part
ed.

of briftles, one fide finuated, the other point-

See Zool. Dan. prod, addend,

248.

Trichoda

Ciliata..

Trichoda ventricofa, poflice crinibus peclinata.

See Zool*

Dan. Icon.

tab. 73, Fig. 13, 15.

249.

Trichoda Bulla.

Trichoda membranacea,
crinita.

Iateribus

inflexis,

antice

&

poflice

Membranaceous
laft

trichoda, the fides bent inwards, the

hairs
;

fore

and hind-part are both furnifhed with

it

differs

only

by the

circumftance from the burfaria bulla,

250, Tri-

Microscopical Essays,
250.

595

Trichoda

Pellionella.

Trichoda cylindracea, antice

cal,

crinita, poftice fetofa.

Cylindri-

the fore-part hairy, the hinder-part furnifhed with bridles.

This trichoda

is

rather thick in the middle, pellucid,

fides obtufe, the

with a
fore-part

few molecules here and there, the

ciliated, the hairs

very

fine,

the Hind-part terminating in a kind

of

briftles.

251.

Trichoda Cyllidium.

Fig. 15, Plate

XXVI.
Egg-fhaped,

Trichoda ovata, apice hiante, bafique

the apex gaping, the bafe hairy.

crinita.

Pellucid, replete with globules of different fizes, in the hind-

extremity

the fore-part narrower, without any

It

footfteps

of an
ad-

external organ.

vacillates

upon

the

edge,

commonly
;

vancing on

it's

flat fide,

continually drawing

up water

it

then

gapes, opens into a very acute angle, almoft to the middle of the

body.
inftant.

It

is

difficult

to

be perceived,

as

it

effecls this
it

in

an

a the mouth,
in

b the hairs or bridles^ which

extends

when

agonies.

252.

Trichoda Curfor.

Trichoda ovata, antice

crinita, poftice duplici

pilorum

ftriclo-

rum

&

curvorum

fafciculo.

Oval trichoda, the fore-part

4

hairy,

the

59$

Microscopical Essays.
two
fafcicles

the hinder-part furniftied with

hairs.

of

ftrait

and curved

The body
there
is

flat,

and

filled

with molecules

in

the

fore-part

an oblong empty fpace, into which, under certain cir-

cumftances,

we may

fee the

water as

it

were fucked

'

in.

253.

Trichoda Pulex.

Fig. 12, Plate

XXVI.
crinita.

Trichoda ovata, antice

incifa, fronte

&

bafi

Egg-

fhaped, with an incifion in the fore-part, the front

hairy,

and the bafe

a the anterior, b the pofterior part, c the incifion.

254.

Trichoda Lynceus.

Fig. 16, Plate

XXVI.
Nearly

Trichoda fubquadrata,

roftro

adunco, ore

crinito.

fquare, with a crooked beak, the

mouth

hairy.

At

firft

fight

it

does not appear very diffimilar to fome of the

is

monoculi.

The body

membranaceous, and

as

it

were cdma

preffed, being broad without thicknefs, flretched out into a beak

above, the lower part truncated

under the beak

is

little

bun-

dle of hairs, the lower edge bends in

and

out,

and

is

girt

round

with a few

briftles.

The

interlines are beautifully vifible, a fmall

bent tube goes from the

the

mouth

to the inteftines in the middle of

in frequent agitation

body

thefe, as well as the tube, are

is

another tube
It is -filled

alfq perceivable

between the fore and hind edge.

with a blue liquor,

a the beak, b the mouth, c the

bafe.

252. Tri-

Microscopical Essays,
255.

Trichoda Erofa.

Trichoda

orbicularis, antice emarginata, altero

latere crinita,

poftice fetofa.

Orbicular trichoda, the fore-part notched, one

fide fet with. hairs, the hinder-part

with

briftles.

256.

Trichoda Roftrata.

Trichoda deprefTa, mutabilis,

pediformibus.
ciliated hairs,

flavefcens, ciliis

longis fetifque

Deprefled trichoda,

mutable, yellow, with long

and

feet tapering to a point.

The body
margin, the
the
reft.

deprefled, both the feet

feet are

and

hairs

are within the

is

four in number, one of

them

longer than

The

figure of the

body

is

for the raoft part

fomewhat
;

triangular, the
is

apex formed into a kind of obtufe beak

the

beak

fometimes drawn in fo that the animal culum then appears alto-

gether orbicular.
kept.

Found

in water

where duck-weed has been

257.

Trichoda Lagena.

Trichoda

teres,

ventricofa,

roftro

produ&a,

poftice fetofa.
fet

Round
with

ventricofe trichoda, with a long neck, the lower end

briftles.

258. Tri-

598
258.

Microscopical
Trichoda Charon.
Fig.

Ess a y s.
18, Plate

47 and

XXVI.
Boat-

Trichoda cymbiformis
Ihaped trichoda
hairy.

fulcata, antice et poftice crinita.

with furrows,

the fore

and hind-parts both

is oval it refembles a boat both in fhape and moupper part hollowed, the under part furrowed and convex, the item round, with feveral hairs projecting from it. Several hairs mayalfo be feen on one fide. Was found in fait
;

The body

tion, the

water,
that
is

a the head,

b the

tail

d, Fig. 18,

a pellucid bubble

fometimes to be perceived.

259.

Trichoda Cimex.

Fig. 19, Plate

XXXI.

Trichoda

ovalis, marginibus lucidis, antice

et poftice crinita.

Oval trichoda, with a lucid margin, both the fore and hind-part
hairy.

It

is

about the

fize

of the trichoda lynceus, an oval body, the

flat,

back convex, the belly

part
;

an incifion

in the

edge of the foreIts interlines

the edges of this incifion are feen to move.

are pellucid and ill-defined.

It

both fwims and walks.

briftles,

When

it

meets with any obftacles,

fourfmall
thefe
it

which are

fixed underneath,

come

into

view

ufes as feet,

a the hairs in the fore-part, b the

briftles at

the hind-part, d the back, e

two fmall projecting

hairs..

260. Tri-

Microscopical Essays,

599

260.

Trichoda Cicada.

Trichoda

ovalis,

margin ibus obfcuris, antice

& fubtus

crinita,

poftice mutica.

Oval trichoda, with an obfcure margin,

the

fore-part underneath fet with hairs, the hinder-parts beardlefs.

It

does not differ confiderably from the preceding, though

M.
dif-

Muller has pointed out fome {hades by which they

criminated.

may be

XIV.

r o N A,

Vermis inconfpicuus corniculatus.

horns.

Ah

invifible

worm

with

261*

Kerona Raftelkim.

Kerona orbicularis membranacea, nafuta, corniculis in tota Membranaceous orbicular kerona, with one projecting pagina.
point, the

upper furface covered with fmall horns.

There are

three rows of horns on the back, which nearly occupy the whole

of it.

It

was found

in river water.

262.

Ke

6oo

Microscopical Essays,
262.

Kerona Lyncafler.
roftro obtufo,
is

Kerona fubquadrata.
bus.

difco corniculis

micanti-

This fpecies of kerona

rather fquare, the difc furnifhed

p, 281.

With mining horns.

See Zool. Dan. prod. add.

263.

Kerona

Hiftrio.

Fig. 20, Plate

XXVI.

Kerona oblonga,

antice punclis mucronatis nigris, poftiee pin-

nulis longitudinalibus, inftrucla.

It is

an oblong membrane, pellucid, with four

or' five

black

points in the fore-part, which are continually changing their fituation, thick fet with fmall globules in the middle,

among which

four larger ones are fome times perceived, thefe are probably

eggs

in the

middle fpace of the hind-part are fome longitudinal

;

ftrokes refembling brifiles

they do not feem to project beyond

hairs,

the body,
globule, f

b the horns, c fome

d a

folitary horn, e a large

fome

brifiles.

264.

Kerona Cypris.

Fig. 21, Plate

XXVI.

Trichoda obovata, verfus

poflica fuperne finuata, antice crinita.

Egg-fhaped, towards the hind-part fmuated, the fore-part hairy.

This animalculumis comprefled, and fomethingin a pear-fhape, the fore-part broad and blunt, the front is furnimed with fhort
hairs a, or
little

vibrating points inferted under the edge, fhorter

Microscopical Essays,
in the hind-part, partly

601

extended

ftrait,

partly bent

down; the

motion
lemna.

is

retrograde.

It

k found

in water

which

is

covered with

265.

Kerona Hauftrum.
corniculis mediis,

Kerona

orbiculata,

antice

membranacea

eiliata, poftice fetofa.

Orbicular kerona, the horns in the middle,

ciliated, at

the fore-part

membranaceous and

the hinder-part

there are feveral briftles.

266.

Kerona Hauftellum.
in

Differs

from the preceding only

having the hinder-part with-

out any

brililes.

267.

Kerona

Patella.

Fig. 22

and 23, Plate

XXVL

Kerona
fore-part

univalvis, antice emarginata corniculata, poftice fetis

flexilibus pendulis.

With one

valve, orbicular, cryftalline, the

the {hell

fomewhat notched, the fleffiy body lies in the middle of above and below are hairs, or horns, of different
beyond the
fhell,
;

lengths, jutting out

and acting inftead of

feet

and

oars,

fome of which are bent

the fuperior ones conftitute a

double tranfverfe row.

a the fore-part, b the horns, d a lunated

f briftles
at the hinder-

figure in the fhell, c a pulpous body,

part.

268. Ke-

602

Microscopical Essays,
268.

Kerona Vannus.

Kerona
ato,

ovalis, fubdeprelfa,
anticis,

margine altero
pofticis.

flexo, oppofito ciliflat

corniculis

fetifque

Oval and rather

kerona, one edge bent, the oppofite edge ciliated, the front furnifhed with horns, the hinder-part with briftles.

269.

Kerona
ovata,

Pullafler.

Fig. 24

and 25,

Plate.

XXVI.
crinita.

Kerona

antice fmuata,

fronte

creftata,

bafi

Oval, the fore-part finuated, a creft

on the

front, the bafe hairy.

It

agrees with the trichoda pulex in

is

many

particulars, but the

upper part

pellucid, without

any black molecules, the front

truncated, the whole fuperflcies of the head covered with hair,

and the fore-part fmuous.

part, c the cilia

a the horns, b the hairs at the hinder-

of the front*

270.

Kerona

Mytillus.

Fig. 29, Plate

XXVI.

Kerona

fubclavata, utraque extremitate latiori, hyalina ciliata.

at

Rather clubbed, broad

both extremities, clear and

ciliated.

animalculum, the fore and hind-part rounded, very pellucid and white, dark in the middle, with black inteftines, intermixed with a few pellucid
it

A large

veficles.
plates.

Both extremities feem

as

were compofed of two thin

The
it

fore-part
is

is

ciliated,

the hairs fhort, lying within the margin;

alfo

ornamented
'

with

Microscopical Essays.
with two
little

603
;

horns, erected from an obfcure mafs

little

with thefe
hind-part

it

agitates the water, forming a

ciliated,

whirlpool.

The

is

and furnifhed with two

briftles, that ftretch

out beyond,
c the hind-

the margin,
part,

a the horns, b the fore-part

briftles.

ciliated,

d projecting

271.

Kerona Lepus.
bafi fetofa.

Kerona

ovata,

apice crinito,

Egg-fhaped, the

fore-part hairy, the bafe furnifhed with briftles.

The body
Ihort

is

egg-fhaped, compreffed, pellucid, crowned with

waving

hairs, the bafe terminating

with

briftles.

272.

Kerona

Silurus.

'

Kerona oblonga,

antice

& poftice crinita,

dorfo ciliato.

Ob-

long, the fore and hind-part hairy, the back ciliated.

An oval fmooth animalculum, fomething crooked and opake, a fafcicle of vibrating hair on the forepart; the hind-part, or fharp tail, furnifhed with unequal moveable rows of hairs, the
back
the
is

alfo ciliated

thefe hairs

produce a rotatory motion, in

lucid,

infide are

varies

opake points. The figure from oval to oblong, the filaments of the conferva are

fome unequal,

often entangled in the tail

273. Ke~

Microscopical Essays.
273.

Kerona Calvitium.
Ra-

Kerona

latiufcula, oblonga, antice corniculis micantibus.

ther broad, oblong, with glittering horns on the fore-part.

The body
hinder-part
;

is

rather broad and

flat,

both

fides

obtufe, filled

with black molecules, and more particularly a dark fpot near the
the interjacent veficles are pellucid,

no

hairs

on the

fore-part, but inftead thereof

two

little

moveable horns, and from

three to five moveable black points,., a few fhort briftles at the

hind-part.

Found

in the infufions of vegetables.

274.

Kerona

Puftulluata.

Kerona

ovalis convexa, poftice altero

margine finuata, utraque

cxtremitate crinita, corniculifque anticis.

Oval convex kerona,

one edge of the hinder-part finuated, both ends fet with hairs,

and fome horns placed on the

fore-part.

This animalculum was found in

fait

water.

XV.

Man

topu

s.

Vermis inconfpicuus, pellucidus, fible, cirrated * worm.

cirratus.

pellucid, invi-

275, Hi-

* That

is,

furniflied

with a

tuft or lock of hair.

Microscopical Essays.
275.

Himantopus Acarus.

Fig. 27, Plate

XXVL
acuminatus.
the fore- part

Himantopus ventrofus,
Ventrofe himantopus,
fharp.

poftice cirratus,

antice

the

hinder-part

cirrated,

It is

lively,

conical, ventricofe animalculum, full of black

molecules, the fore-part bright and tranfparent.

The apex

is

more or

lefs

attenuated, at the
hairs, like

will

of the

little

creature, with

rows of long
hair, or feet,

To

many

rays underneath; four locks of

;

long and crooked, proceed from the belly

thefe

it is

continually
tions,
it

moving

and the other hairs

lemna.

in

various direcplace.,
It is

has the fame circular motion in the fame

is

found, though feldom, where there

ciliated part, c the feet.

a the apex-, b the

276.

Himantopus Ludio.

Fig. 26, Plate

XXVL

Himantopus
wards.

cirrata,

fupra crinita,

cauda

furfum extenfa.

Curled himantopus, the upper part hairy, the

tail

extended up-

This
full

is

a lively and diverting animalculum, fmooth, pellucid,

points, the fore-part clubbed,

of

little

and a

little

bent, the

hind-part narrow, the bafe obliquely truncated, terminating in a

tail

ftretched out tranfverfely.

The

top of the head, and the mid-

dle of the

back

b,

fumifhed with long vibrating hairs

from the
fide

6o6
fide

Microscopical. Essays.
of the head hang three moveable and
flexible curls a, diflant

from each other. When the animalculum is in motion, the tail is drawn tight, and extended upwards, and often appears as if it

was

cleft.

It is

curled up

when

the

little

creature

is

at reft.

277.

Himantopus Sannio.

Himantopus incurvata, fupra

ciliata,

infra crinita.

Crooked

himantopus, the upper part ciliated, the under part hairy.

It is

very

much

like the

himantopus ludio, the

;

cilia

are longer

it has alfo two than the hairs, and are continually vibrating the head. fides Is found but both on moveable curls hanging

feldom, and then generally in water where the lemna vegetates.

279.

Himantopus Volutator.
antice cirratus.

Himantopus lunatus,
the fore-part hairy.

Lunated himantopus,

A very
fome

lively

animalculum, of the

ftiape

of a crefcent, with

vifible cryftalline points, the

convex part furnifhed with

tail
;

a row of hairs, which are longer! towards the

are four feet.
It often turns

underneath

round

fwiftly in a circular direction,

280.

Himantopus Larva.
medio

Himantopus

elongatus,

cirratus.

Long himantopus,

cirrated in the middle.

By

Microscopical Essays.
By
from
it's

607
but
is

motion

it

refembles the hiraantopus ludio,

parts.

differs

it

in

figure and Fituation of the

The body

rather

depreffed and long, the hinder parts acute, and generally curved,
pellucid, filled with granular molecules.

281.

Himantopus Charon.
fulcata, in fovea

Himantopus cymbseformis
cirrated.

ventrali

cirrata.

Boat-lhaped furrowed himantopus, the hollow part of the belly

.

An

oval

pellucid

membrane, the fore-part

hairy,

furrowed

longitudinally, each fide bent

up

fo as to

form an intermediate
-

hollow place, or belly^

the middle
it

crammed with grey molecules 3 beneath

;

has feveral bent diverging rows of hairs

no

hairs

on

the hinder-part.

Rarely to be found, and then in fea-water.

282.

Himantopus Corona.
depreffa, in utraque pagina cirra-

Himantopus femiorbiculata,
ta.

Semiorbicular himantopus, flattened, both fides cirrated.

A membranaceous
terlines,

lamina, very thin, very pellucid, cryflalline,

fet

femilunar: the edge of the bafe thick

with molecular in-

the other angle, or fore-part, furnifhed with fhort hairs,

or a kind of
hairs,

mane; towards

the

hind part three equal curved

or fpines.

XVI. Vqr-

6o8

C R O SCOPICAL

E S SAY 3.

XVI.
Vermis

VOR TIC ELLA.

contratilis } nudus, ciliis rotatoriis.

itfelf,

A worm

capable

of contracting or extending

naked, with rotatory

cilia.

283.

Vorticella Viridis.

Fig. 31, Plate

XXVI.
Cylindrical,

Vorticella cylindracea, uniformis, viridis opaca.

uniform, green, and opake.

To

the naked eye

it

appears as a fmall green point, through

dark-green colour,

the microfcope as an opake corpufcle, of a

cylindrical, obtufe at

both extremities, yet rather thicker in the

it's

fore-part
figure.

very fimple, deftitute of limbs, not changing

it's

Notwithstanding
it

fimplicity,

the continual motion

it is

into

which

puts the water gives

room

to fufpecl that
it

fur-

nifhed with an invifible rotatory inftrument,

circularly,

moves fometimes

fometimes in a

fijait line,

a the fore-part, b the hind-

part, c fhort hairs.

284.

Vorticella Sphaeroida.

Vorticella

cylindrico-globofa,

uniformis, opaca,

A globous

cylinder, uniform

and opake.
it appears little

To

the naked eye

more than a point fwimming

about in the water; but with the microfcope as a globular mafs,

of a dark-green colour

they occafion a vehement motion in the

adjacent

Microscopical Essays.
may be

609

adjacent water, very fhort hairs, which are probably the caufe
thereof,

perceived.

285..

Vorticella CinBa.

Fig. 30, Plate

XXVI.
This vorticella

Vorticella trapeziformis, nigro-viridis> opaca.

is

in the

form of a trapezium, of a

blackifli

green colour, and

opake.

It is

of an irregular
fide,

figure, invihble to the

all

naked eye,

ciliated
fide

on every

the hairs
It

moveable^ and longer on one

than on the other.

fometimes aflumes an oval fhape, and ap-

pears girt round with a tranfverfal keek

286.

Vorticella Lunifera.

Vorticella viridis, poftice lunata,

medio margine mucronato.

with a point in the

Green

vorticella, the hinder-part lunated,

middle, projecting from the edge.

The

fore-part obtufe, the bafe broad, and hollowed

away

like

a crefcent, with a protuberance in the middle of the concave

part, fhorter than the horns or points

of the crefcent

the fore-

part

is ciliated.,

It is

found in

felt

water*

287. Vor~

6io

Microscopical Essays.
287.

Vorticella Burfata.

Fig. 32, Plate

XXVI.
centrali.

Vorticella

viridis,

apertura

truncata,

papillaque

Green

vorticella, the aperture truncated, with a central papillary

projection.

Ventricofe,

crammed with
of
it,

molecules, the fore-part truncated,

;

and both
there
is

fides

c c, pellucid

in the center
b,

of the aperture

a prominent papilla or nipple

is

which,

when
all

the ani-

makulum
ture
is

at reft,

appears notched
cilia
;

the edge a a of the aper-

furrounded with

thefe are

fometimes

erected,

mining, and in motion, or part bent back and quiefcent, and

part in motion
;

fometimes a few of them are collected together,

like little
cilia,

and turned back

fait

hooks, one on each

fide.

Found

in

water,

a the

b the projecting papilla,

the pellucid

fpace at the fore-part.

288.

Vorticella Varia.

Vorticella cylindrica, truncata, opaca, nigricans.

Cylindrical,

truncated,
ciliated.

opake,

blackifh-coloured

vorticella,

the

fore-part

289.

Vorticella Sputarium.

Vorticella ventrofa, apertura orbiculari,

centricis.

ciliis

longis raris ex-

Ventrofe vorticella, with an orbicular aperture, and

long hairs radiating as from a center,

This

Microscopical Essays.
This
is

611
thofe

a lingular animalculum, even

;

among

where

all

are lingular

viewed fideways

it is

fometimes cylindrical, though

fomewhat tapering towards the hinder-part, with a broad pelluviewed from the top it has fometimes a broad face, or cid edge
;

difc, furniflied

with radiating hairs, the under part contracted in-

to a globular fhape, of a dark-green colour,

grains.
It

and

filled

with fmall

was found in October with the

lefier

lemna.

2cp.

Vorticella Polymorpha.

Fig. 33, 34, 35,

Plate

XXVI.
vorti-

Vorticella multiformis,
cella, green,

viridis,

opaca.

Many-fhaped

opake.

To

the naked eye

it

appears as a
it

mod

agile green point

fo

viewed by the microfcope,

puts

on every moment
it is

when many and

;

fuch various forms, that they can neither be exhibited to the eye

by

drawings, nor defcribed by words

truly

one of the won-

ders of nature, aftonifhing the mind, fatiguing the eye, and continually exciting the fpeclator to alk,

"

Quo teneam

vultus

mutantem protea nodo?"

it

Fig. 33, 34, 35, reprefent

in

three different forms

a the

fore-part,

g the hind-part,

c the fore-part fimple,

is

d the fore-part

turned in or doubled, the body

points
is

granulous, a feries of pellucid

"fometimes to be obferved.

2 9 1 > Vor-

Microscopical Essays.
291.
Vorticella Multiformis.

Vorticella viridis, opaea, varia, veficulis fparfis.

Green, opake*

variable vorticella, with veficles fcattered about the body.

This

is

fo

like
Is

the

preceding one, that

fait

it

needs no further

defcription.

found in

water, and the veficles are larger.

292.

Vorticella Nigra..

Fig..

36 and 37, Plate XXVI...

vorticella,

Vorticella trochiformis nigra.

Top-fnaped black

To
little

the

naked eye they prefent themfelves

;

as fmall'black points
it

fwimming on the water

through the mierofcope

appears as a

conical corpufcle, opake,, obtufe,. and ventrieofe at one ex;

tremity, the other acute

little

when

it

extends the extremities, two-

white hooks

come

into fight,

by

their afliftance

it

moves

in

the water,, and

it is

probable,, from fome circumftanees,

It is in Is

that they

inclofe a rotatory organ.

continual motion, vacillating on;

in

the top of the water.

found

Auguft, in meadows that are

covered with water,

a the rotatory organ, b the two fmall hooks,,

the acute end..

293..

Vorticella Cucullus.

Vorticella elongata,
vorticella
is

teres,

apertura oblique trunoata..

Thistrun-

long, round,, the aperture or

mouth obliquely

cated.

Microscopical Essays,
This vorticella

613
ones, as
conical,,
it is

vifible to the naked eye.

may be ranked among the larger The body is fomewhat

it's

of a

dirty red colour;

grenadier's cap.

fhape has been compared to that of a

294.

Vorticella Utriculata.

Vorticella viridis,

ventri colli,

produclilis,

antice

truncata.

Green
a

vorticella, ventricofe, the belly capable

of being lengthenin. the

ed or fhortened, the fore-part truncated,,

much

fhape of
at

common

waterrbottle,

the

neck fometimes very long,

is filled

others with fcarce any at

all,

and

with green molecules.

20,5.

Vorticella Ocreata.

Vorticella fubcubica,

infra in

angulum obtufum producia.

figure, the

This vorticella

is

fomewhat of a cubical

under part

bent in an obtufe angle.

It is a

very Angular animalculum, being in fhape like the lower

;

part of a boot

the apex of the upper part, or leg,

is

truncated

and

ciliated, the heel pointed,

the foot round.

It is

an inhabi-

tant of rivers,

though very rarely to be met with.

296.

Vorticella Valga.,

Vorticella cubica,

infra divaricata.

Cubical vorticella, the

!ower part

divaricated.,.

This.-,

6 14
This
is

Microscopical E S S AY S.
filled

with grey molecules, and

ciliated,

the apex truncated and

long both angles of the bafe projecting

is

as

broad

as

it is

outwards, one fomewhat like a wart,

the other like a finger.

Found

in

marfhy waters.

297.

Vorticella Papillaris.

Vorticella ventricofa, antice truncata, papilla caudali

rali

&

late-

hyalina.
tail,

Ventricofe vorticella,

the fore-part truncated, a

fide.

papillary
Is

and a fplendid papillary excrefcence on the

is

an inhabitant of marines, where the conferva nitida

met

with.

298.

Vorticella Sacculus.

Vorticella

cylindracea,

apertura repanda,

margine

reflexo.

Cylindrical vorticella, the aperture broad and flat, the edge turned
'

down.

A thick animalculum,
filled

every-where of an equal diameter, -and

of the mouth bent back, the
cilia

with molecules

the edge

hinder-part obtufe, fometimes notched and contracted,

to

be feen on both

lijdes

the mouth.

299.

Vorticella Cirrata.

Vorticella ventrofa, apertura finuata, cirro utrinque

ventrali.

"Ventrofe vorticella, the aperture finuated,

^each fide of the belly.
It is

two

tufts

of hair on

an inhabitant of the water in ditches.

300. Vor-

Microscopical Essays.
300.
Vorticella Nafuta.
Fig. 38, 39,

Plate

XXVI.

Vorticella cylindracea,
Cylindrical, with a

crateris

medio mucrone prominente.

prominent point in the middle of the cup.

An animalculum that
it is

is

invifible to the

naked eye

but

when

armed with microscopic lenfes, it appears curioufly furnifhed with a rotatory organ, which encompafles the middle of the
body.

It is

pellucid, cylindrical, of
ciliated,
;

an unequal

fize,

the fore-part (a)

(e) in

truncated and

and a triangular prominency

the hind-part obtufe,

the

middle of the aperture

a point

on each
nearly
;

fide of the middle of the body.

this little creature

This
but

is

the appearance of the water

is

when

in

motion

when

exhaled, fome further parts of

its

Itru&ure are rendered vifible

befides the rotatory organ in the anterior part,

another

is

now

difcovered encompaffmg the middle of the body; the hairs of

this are in

vehement motion. There are other

at

fafcicles

of moving
variegated
if

hairs

to

be difcovered

the

fame time.

The
at

and quick motion of

animalculum
is

this

apparatus

(more particularly

the

big with young, and moving

fill

the fame time

within the mother,)

the

mind with amazement.

30 u Vor-

6i6

"Microscopical Essays.
301.
Vorticella Stellina.

"Vorticella orbicularis,

difeo

moleculari,
difc,

peripheria

ciliata.

Orbicular vorticella, with a molecular

and

ciliated peri-

phery.

.302.

Vorticella Difcina.

Fig. 8, 9,

10, Plate

XXVI. A.

Vorticella orbicularis, margine

ciliato,

fubtus convexo-anfata.

Orbicular

vorticella, the
fide.

edge

ciliated,

with a kind of convex

handle on the under

303.

Vorticella Scyphina.

Vorticella craterformis,

cryftallina,

medio

fphasrula

opaca.
in the

Bowl-fhaped
middle.

vorticella,

cryftalline,

an opake fpherule

304.

Vorticella Albina.

Vorticella cylindrica, poftice acuminata.

la,

Cylindrical vorticel-

the hinder-part tapering, and almoft brought to a point,

305.

Vorticella Fritillina.

Vorticella cylindrica vacua,

apice truncata,

ciliis

praslongig,

Empty

cylindrical vorticella, the

apex truncated

306. Vor-

Microscopical Essays.
306.
Vorticella Truncatella.

6i 7

Vorticella cylindrica, differta, apice truncata,

lis.

ciliis

breviufcu-

Cylindrical vorticella, fluffed or

cilia.

filled,

the apex, truncated,

with very fhort

It is

of the number of the larger animalcula, the body

is

crys-

talline,

and replete with black molecules,

colourlefs,
;

it's

fkin

is

perfectly

fmooth and
rior
is

it's

hinder extremity

is

rounded, the ante-

truncated

there

is
;

a large opening vifible at this extremity,

this
is

which

ferves as a

mouth

thickly ciliated,

307.

Vorticella Limacina.

Fig. 60, Plate

XXVI.
Cylindrical

Vorticella cylindrica,

truncata,

ciliis

bigeminis.

truncated vorticella, with two pair of

cilia.

308.

Vorticella Fraxinina.

Vorticella

gregaria,

cylindracea,

oblique

truncata,

ciliis

bigeminis, apice margine fhTa.

Gregarious cylindrical vorticella,

cilia,

obliquely truncated, with two pair of

at the

and a

fiffure

or notch

upper edge.

The

greater part of the

body

is

cylindrical, the hinder-part

;

is

rather tapering,

and

filled
;

with opake molecules

within the

towards the

upper end
proceed,

it

is

tranfparent

edge, at top, are

two

fmall tubercles,

from each

fide

of which a pair of fmall hairs

4 F

309. Vor-

6iS

Microscopical Essays.
309.

Vomcella
work.

Cratsegaria.

See

page 437 of
310.

this

Vorticella

Hamata.
margine

Fig. 40, Plate

XXVI.
rigid is.
fet

Vorticella

burfaeformis,

aperture
it's

aculeis

Purfe -formed vorticella, the edge of

aperture or

mouth

with rigid points.

It is

not ciliated, nor have any hairs as yet been difcovered

it
;

about

the

body

is

granulated, the fore-part broad and trun-

cated, the hinder-part obtufe,

and capable of being contracted or

extended,

a the rigid points.

311.

Vorticella Crateriformis.

Fig. 41, Plate

XXVI.
poftice.

Vorticella fubquadrata,

ciliorum

fafcicuiis

etiam

This vorticella
cilia

is

rather of a fquare figure, and has fafcicles of

even

at the hinder-part.

Lively, pellucid, round, longer than

it is

broad, approaching
is

fomewhat

to a fquare, with
is

convex

fides

the head

fituated at

the large end, the fkin

fmooth, fome

traces

of interlines are
is

with difficulty difcovered; at the larger end there

able opening, furrounded by hair; the filaments
are in continual motion.

a confiderthis

compohng

Two

Microscopical Essays.

619
as at Fig.

Two

of thefe are fometimes feen conjoined together,

j

41, and full of fmalJ fpherules

at this
*,

time they

may

without
alter-

care be taken for freih animalcula

nately different Ways
;

they draw each other

is

in this ftate the furface

fmooth and

the hairs invifible.

moveable

cilia.

312.

Vorticella Canaliculata.

Vorticella dilatata, peliucida, latere incifo.

Dilated, pellucid,

with an incifion on the

fide.

To
to.

the naked eye

it

appears as fo
;

many white

points adhering
is

the fides of the glafs

when
;

magnified, the anterior part

narrower than the hind-one

middle

in the fide a
is

kind of incifion

may

be perceived, and the hind-part

;

little

notched towards the

it is

furniflied with a rotatory organ,

by which

it

excites

a continual whirling in the water.

313.

Vorticella Verfatilis.

Vorticella

elongata fpiculiformis,

mox

urceolaris.
it's

Long

fpear-formed vorticella, but

pitcher-like form.

which often changes

fiiape into a

A pellucid gelatinous animalculum,

niflied

of a green ifh colour, fur-

with
it

fniall

radii,

particularly about the circumference,

whence

may be

confidered as a minute water hedge-hog.

.2

314. Vor-

6~20

Microscopical Essays.
Vorticel la Ampulla.
Fig. 4

314.

and

5,

Plate

XXVI. A.

Vorticella folliculo ampulaceo, pellucido, capite bilobo. This

vorticella
is

contained in a pellucid bottle-fhaped bag, the head

of it

is

divided into two lobes.

Little

malculum,

more need be faid to enable the reader to know this aniif he mould meet with it, than to obferve that the
in the fhape
is

bag

is

much

of the

common

water-bottle
at

that the
it*

animalculum

fometimes to be obferved
filling
it.

the bottom of

fometimes nearly

315.

Vorticella Folliculata.

Vorticella oblonga,

folliculo

cylindraceo hyalino.

Oblong

vorticella, in a bright cylindrical bag.

This animalculum

is

gelatinous and cylindrical;

when

at

it's

greateft extenfion, the

bafe appears

attenuated, and the apex

truncated.

316.

Vorticella Larva.

Vorticella cylindrica, apertura lunata, fpinis caudalibus binis.

Cylindrical vorticella, the aperture
crefcent,

fomewhat

in the fhape of a

two

fmall thorny points projecting

tail

from the hinder-part.

eafily

The

head, the trunk, and the

It is

may

be

diftinguifhed

from each other.

of

clay-colour, the aperture ciliated

agio-

Microscopical Essays.
a globular projection
aperture.

621

may

at times

be feen to proceed from the

317.

Vorticella Succolata.

Fig.

42 and 43, Plate

XXVL

Vorticella inverfe conica, apertura lunata, trunco

poftice biis

dentato, cauda elongata biphylla.

This

vorticella

in figure

an inverted cone, the aperture of a crefcent fhape, the lower

part of the trunk
tail
is

notched, forming, as

it

were two

teeth, the

biphyllous.

Each of thefe
head
parts
is

parts

is

furrounded with

a loofe bright fkiri, the

divided from the trunk by a deep incifion.

cilia,

a a a fmall
interior

points projecting from the head, b the

;

and d the

J,

Fig. 42, the

little

horn

at the

bottom of the trunk.

318.

Vorticella Aurita.

Vorticella cylindrico-ventrofa, apertura mutica, rotantibus cauda, articuiata biphylla.

cella,

ciliis

utrinque

Cylindrical ventrofe vorti-

the aperture deliitute of hairs,

cilia,

both

fides

of

it

furnilhed

with rotatory

the

tail

biphyllous.

319.

Vorticella Tremula.

Vorticella inverfe conica,

brevi unicufpi.
the

This vorticella
into parts

mouth divided

cauda fomewhat of a conical fhape, which are fet with fmall fpines or
is

apertura lobata fpinulofa,

thorns, a point projects

from the

tail.

622
It is

Microscopical Essays.
a pellucid, crystalline, ventricofe animalculum
fide
;

within

it,

on one

of the body, there

is

is

a large clay-coloured oval mafs,

;

adjacent to which there

articulated

a pellucid oval fubflance

the

tail

is

and very

fhort.

'

320.

Vorticella Senta.

Vorticella inverfe conica, apertura fpinofa integra, cauda brevi

bicufpi.

Somewhat of

the fhape of a cone, the aperture fet

with fpines, the

tail fhort,

and divided into two points.

It
is

has fome refemblance to the larger vorticella rotatoria, but

it's

eafdy diftinguifhed from them by

horned fpiny aperture,

and fimple rotatory organ.

The body
hairs,

is
;

mufcular, pellucid, folding varioufly, the fore-

part truncated

round the margin of the aperture are rows of

hairs

but

flilfer
it

or fpines are alfo continually

vibrating,

with which

draws

in all

animate and inanimate fubftances.

321.

Vorticella Lacinulata.

Fig. 45, Plate

XXVI.
binis

Vorticella inverfe conica, apertura lobata,

bus.

fetis

cauda Ji-

In (hape fomewhat of an inverted cone,

tail

the aperture

lobated, the

fmall,

and furnifhed with two

brillles (d).

The body
third part

is

mufcular, pellucid, cylindrical, the apex about a

little

down, drawn into a

fides into a

neck, the aperture or apex

is

Jpread on both

kind of flap or lappet, in the middle

a

is

lit-

Microscopical Essays.
a
little

lamina, or triangular point

another of thefe

is

difcovered

.when the aperture faces the oblerver, which

a
it

makes
is

it

appear
little

like

finall flower.

The

hind-part,

when

in motion,

bent

terminates in two minute briftles, which are feen fometimes uni-

ted, at other times diverging.

When
may

the animalculum
;

Is

fwim-

ming,

it's

rotatory organ (a)

;

be feen

molecular interlines
direction.
Is

are vifible

it

moves with

velocity in an oblique

found

in

pure water.
Vorticella Conftricla.

322.

Vorticella elliptico ventricofa, apertura

late hiphylla.

Integra,

cauda annuor

Elliptical
tail

ventricofe vorticella,

the aperture

mouth

undivided, the

annul ated and forked.

In this kind, the head, the

tail,

and the trunk, are

fully dif-

tinguimed.

jubilance in motion has

been perceived, which

has been fuppdfed to be the heart; there are two kinds of them,

one a pale yellow, the other of a white colour

fixing their
their
tail

they

move by

to the glafs

upon the
;

11

age,
fix

and then extending

the fore-part to the

body
and

as

much

as poffible

they

place where they intend to move, and then draw the hinderrpart
to
it,

fo on.

They fometimes
tail,

turn round about

upon one of

the points of their

at reft,

others fpring forwards with a jerk.

When

they open their mouths very wide, the lips are ciliated,
in

two black globules are difcovered

fome of them.

323. Vor.

624

Microscopical Essays,
323.
Vorticella Togata.-

Vorticella fubquadrata,
binis,

apertura integra,

fpinis

caudal ibus-

plerumque

unitis.

Square

vorticella, the aperture

not di-

vided, the tail confirming

of two long

fpines,

which are fometimes

fo united as to appear as one.

The body

is

convex, of a dark colour,

filled

with molecules,

the middle part pellucid, the hinder-part rather broader than the
fore-part, the fore -part ciliated, the tail

formed of two very thin

pellucid fpines, which are

fomewhat curved, and much longer

than the body.

324.

Vorticella Longifeta.

Vorticella elongata, comprefla,

mis.

fetis

caudalibus binis longiffi-

Long vorticella,

flat,

the

tail

formed of two very long

briftles.

The
briftles

fore-part fmuated, and fet with minute cilia; the

two

which

conftitute the

tail

are long, but one

is

longer than

the other.

325.

Vorticella Rotatoria.

Fig. 46, 47, 48, 49,

PL XXVI. A.

Vorticella cylindrica, pedicello

cufpi.

collar],
little

cauda longa quadrafoot projecting from

Cylindrical vorticella, with a

tail

the neck, a long

furnifhed with four points.

Brachi-

Microscopical Essays,
Brachionus corpore conico fubzequali.
Hill Hifl.

Anim,

Brachionus corpore conico torulofo.

Ditto.

Brachionus.

Pallas

Zooph. 50.
plate io s

Joblot Microf. part

plate 5,

2,

p. 77,

fig.

18;

and

p. 96,

ABCDE

K.

Adams's Micrographia Illuftrata, p. 148, plate 40,

fig.

255,

Leeuwenhoeck Contin. Arc. Nat.

Baker's Microf. Exp. p. 95,
pi. 6,

p. 386,

f. i 5

2.

f.

6, 7, 8.

Baker's Empl. for the Micr. p. 348, 379,

pi. 11,

f.

to 13

and

fig.

1,

2, 3,

6, 7,

11, 12, 14,

15,

16,

17, 18,

io 5 20, 21,

22, 23, of plate

XXVI. A, belonging to

the work.

Spallanz. Opufc. 2 p. 301, 345, pi. 4, 3 to 5.

Rozier Journal Fhyfique, 1775, p. 220.

No perfon
refer us to

feems to have fucceeded fo well in the defcription of

all

the wheel animalculum as Mr. Baker, and

fucceeding writers
creature.

him

for a full account of this

little

What
as

I.

mail fay

upon

this

animalculum

will therefore

be taken chiefly
appear

from him, though with fuch additions and alterations

to

me

neceffary to render his account complete,

It

626
It

Microscopical Essays.
may be proper
differs in

to obferve,
refpecls

firft.,

that

Mr. Muller's wheel

;

animal

fome

from

that of

Mr. Baker's

fir ft,

by

the rotatory organs on the back, which flretch out like ears
fecondly, the two
little

fplendid fubftances within

the

body

and thirdly, the two black points near the top of the head, which
are probably the creature's eyes.

This

little

animal

is

found

in rain water that has flood for

fome

days in leaden gutters, or in the hollows of lead on the tops of

houfes, or in the flime and fediment left in rain water
;

they are

fometimes to be found

alfo in ditches

and amongft duck-weed.

furnimed with

It

has been called the wheel animal becaufe

in figure

it is

a pair of inftruments, which

wheels.
yet
as
it

and motion refemble

It

appears only as a living creature

may be

kept for

when in water, and many months out of water, and in a ftate

dry

as duff,

without lofing the principle of life.

fize

When

dry,

it is

of a globular form, about the

of a grain of fand, and

without any apparent figns of life.

If it be put into the water, in

the fpace of half an hour a languid motion begins, the globule

turns itfelf about, lengthens itfelf

by flow degrees, becomes very lively, and in a little time protrudes it's wheels, and fwims about or elfe, fixing itfelf by it's tail, brings the food in fearch of food
;

to

it

by

the

motion induced on the water by

it's

rotatory organs.

If the water that

is

found ftanding in gutters of

lead, or the

fediment

it

has

left

behind, has any thing of a red colour, you

In fum-

may
rner,

be almoft fure of finding thefe animalcula therein.

when

all

the water
is

is

dried away, if the duff appears red, or

fail

of a dark brown, and

put into water, you will feldom

to

difcover,

Microscopical Essays.
dife over,

627

by means of the microfcope, a great number of minute

It is

reddifh globules, which are the animalcula themfelves.

moft

proper to obferve them

firft

with the third or fourth magnifiers,

and then to ufe thofe which are deeper.

This
tion

little

creature has fome likenefs to a caterpillar;

is

it's

mo-

from place to place

fixing the tail to

performed

like

many of thofe
tail

infects,

by

firft

fome fub fiance, then extending the whole

to
it
;

body, and fixing the head, then drawing the

alternate actions
it

by

thefe

moves with fome degree of fwiftnefs.

appearance, and affumes a different
fore-part

It

very often changes

;

it's

form

for the fnout being

drawn inwards, the

becomes
brifldy,

clubbed, and immediately dividing, exhibits to our view two circular inftruments, fet with minute hairs, that

move very
is

fometimes in a rotatory manner, fometimes in a kind of trembling,

or vibratory mode.

An

aperture,
;

or mouth,

alfo perceived

between the two femicircles

the animal

may

often be feen fwim-

ming about

in purfuit of

food while in

this ftate.

The moft
head
ther
is

diftinguifhing parts of this

animalculum are the head,

ftru&ure of the

the thorax, and the abdomen.

The form and

wonderful, differing from any other creature hitherto

defcribed
is

the fudden change of the

head from one form to ano;

equally furprizing and fmgular

it

for

from being of a very

as

taper form,
infecl,

becomes on a fudden

as

broad

any part of the

to

and protrudes an amazing piece of machinery, formed

it's

procure

food.

The

628

Microscopical Essays.
circular bodies

which project from them have much the refemblance of wheels, and feem to turn round with confiderable velocity, by which means a very rapid current of water is brought

The

from a great diftance to the mouth of the

(as cogs to a wheel)

little

creature

as thefe
fet

wheels are very tranfparent, except the edge, which

fibrillar,
it is

is

with
they

difficult to

determine

how

are turned about, or

flat,

what
;

is

their real
this as it

figure,

whether they are

concave, or conical

be

may, they are protruded

from a couple of tubular cafes, in which they can be again reThey do not tracted, at the will and pleafure of the animal. always turn the fame way, nor with the fame velocity they will
;

fometimes move in contrary directions, fometimes both one way. The figure varies, from the degree of their protrufion, and from other circumftances. They appear fometimes like minute oblong
fquares, rifing

from the periphery of a

circle

at other times

they

terminate in {harp points, fometimes they are curved, bending

the fame

way

like fo

many hooks

now and

then the ends appear

little

clubbed, or in appearance like a

number of
is

mallets.

When

the fore- part of this creature

firft

feen to

open or
fet

divide, the parts,

which when

fully

protruded referable wheels,

feem only like a couple of femicircles, the edges whereof are

with

little fpicuke, having all a nimble and continual vibrating motion upwards and downwards, whereby the water becomes agitated, each wheel being in this cafe doubled, or like a round

piece of paper folded in the middle.

When
in

the wheels are in motion, the head appears very large

fize

proportion to the

of the animal

and though
circle,

it

is

then

cvery-where tranfparent, yet a ring or

more

particularly

remark-

Microscopical Essays,
remarkable for
it's

629

brightness,

dle of the forehead;

may be perceived about the midmany veffels may be feen to take their

origin

from

this.

The
circle,

thorax, or breaft,

is

joined to the head

is

by

a fhort annular

or neck

the thorax in fize

nearly one-fixth part of the

whole an.malculum.
little

In

it
is

we

diftinclly perceive the heart

of the

creature

the heart

placed almoft in the middle, the diafto catch the

tole

and

i)

Hole cannot
it
i

fail

eye of every attentive

obferver.

feen very plainly through the back, {hutting

It

and
ap-

opening alternately with great regularity and exactnefs.

contraction approach each

pears to be compofed of two femilunar parts, wich in the time of

other laterally, and form between a horfe-fhoe, whofe upper fide

is

them a
flat,

figure

fomewhat

like

the
;

u der one convex.

In the diaftole thefe two parts

feparate

the feparation begins exactly in the middle of the lower

tail.

part next the

The

alternate motions of the

heart are per-

formed with great ftrength and vigour.

parts there
is

In each of the femilunar

a cavity, which clofes

feparate.

when

they

come

together,

and opens when they

The motion of the

ceive contractions

heart

is

communicated
going

to all the other parts

of the thorax, and indeed through the whole animal

we may

per-

and

dilatations
It
is

on,, that are

apparently

correfpondent thereto.

neceflary,

however, to remark,
or at leaf!
it

that the motion of the heart

is

fometiraes fufpended,

quite imperceptible for

two

or three minutes, after which

re-

commences, and goes on with the fame vigour and regularity

before.

as

From

the under part of the thorax a fmall tranfparent

horn

630

Microscopical Essays.
infect turns

horn proceeds, which cannot be feen unlefs the

on

it's

back or

fide.

Below the thorax

rax to the abdomen.
this animal,
it

there

is

an annular circle that joins the thois

The abdomen

much
and

the largeft part

of
this

contains the flomach

vifcera.

When

creature

is full

of food, the bowels are opake, and of a crimfon

colour, extending

from the thorax quite through the belly and a

great part of the

tail,

and

exhibits a fine view of the periftaltic

motion, or thofe gradual contractions and dilatations of the inteftines,

which propel

their contents

downwards.

There are many

tranfverfe,

ramifications of vefiels, both longitudinal

and

round

the bowels.

It

can extend the abdomen

it

in length

very much, or
a cafe for
all

contract and widen

confiderably, fo as to

become

the

reft

of the body.

The

tail

goes from a joint at the lower part

;

of the belly to the pofterior extremity

it is

of a tapering form,
it
is

and

confifts generally

of three joints
tail,

when

inclined to fix
fix,

itfelf to
little

any thing by the

it

thrufts
;

out four, fometimes

hooks from the end thereof

itfelf,

tlrefe

are placed in pairs, one

little

pair at the very extremity

fides
;

the other two a

the three are feldom feen at the

to

fame time.

way up the The wheels

in fwim-

feem
ming.

be the organ that the animal ufes to

allift it

All the actions of this creature feem to imply fagacity and

quicknefs of fenfation
;

at the leaft

touch or motion in the water

they inftantly draw in their wheels.

Mr. Baker

conjectures that

they have eyes lodged near the wheels, becaufe while they are in
the globular or maggot
ftate, their

motions are flow and blundering;

Microscopical Essays.
ing
;

but after the wheels are protruded, they are performed with

great regularity, fwiftnefs, and fteadinefs.

Fig. 17, Plate

XXVI. A,
maggot
lefs

reprefents this
(late
;

little

animal in what

Mr. Baker

calls the

while in this form final 1 fpiculse

;

are feen to dart out near the anterior part

the fnout

is

fometimes
(a)

more and fometimes

acute than in this delineation,

fmall horn near the thorax.

Fig. 15 reprefents

it s

manner of moving from place

to place^

while in the maggot

Fig. 12 exhibits

flate.

it,

with the two femicircular parts, put out,

places itfelf in
it's

and

in the pollure

it

when

it is

preparing to fwim

about, or going to put

wheels in motion.

Fig.

(hews the head at

it,

it's

full extent,

with a couple of fmall

teeth like thofe of the

bodies on the top of

armed with fmall

bal lance-wheel of a watch.

At

Fig. 18 the interior parts are

more
(c.)

particularly exhibited,
;

(a) the circle

from which many veffels originate

head by the neck
is

(b) the thorax, or

breaft, joined to the

pofed to be the heart

plainly feen at (d.)

(e).

The part which is fupThe abdomen (f) is

feparated from the bread by a ring

(g) the tail

Fig. 19

is

the wheel animal, not

full

extended, but yet work-

ing

it's

wheels about.

5^2
Fig.

Microscopical Essays.
20 fhews
in this
it

with

it's

fide

towards the eye

lie

one of the

wheels
other.

pofition appears to

confiderably below the

Fig.

6 and 16 reprefent two of thefe creatures

in the poftures
fiibril-

they are often feen in

lae

when

the wheels are not out, but the

are vibrating quickly.

Fig. 2,

it is

feen with the

further
in
;

body nearly drawn

drawn
in
;

into the
it

abdomen
ftill

at Fig. 21
as the tail

it is ftill

at Fig.

22 as

appears juft
ad-

is

drawn
tail.

at Fig. 23 in a globular form, but

hering by the

Sometimes, when in the maggot form,

tail

it
it's

rolls

it's
;

head and
is

together, without drawing

them

into

body

it

repre-

fented in this ftate at Fig. 14.

Mr. Baker has

alfo defcribed three other fpecies,

one of which,
tail,
is

that differs only from the preceding in having a very long

reprefented at Fig. 7, Plate

XXVI. A.

Fig.

1 1 is

another kind, with cruftaceous fpiculse at the forethis, at c,

part

within

an opake oval body

may be

feen,

which

has been taken for an egg.

Fig. 3
tail,

is another kind it has two projecting points from the and the head furnilhed with a number of fibrillar
;

Fig.

Flate

26.

A.
I

flate

26. A.

I-

23

Microscopical Essays.
Fig. 13 reprefents another fpecies, defcribed

633

by

Spall anzani.

Fig. 46, 47, 48, 49, Plate

XXVI.

reprefent the wheel animals,

feen and delineated

by Mr.

Miiller.

a the head, b the eyes, c a

tail,

fmall horn, d the rotatory organ, e the

tail.

f the points of the

326.

Vorticella Furcata.

Vorticella cylindrica,
bifida.

apertura

Integra,

cauda longiufcula
tail

Cylindrical vorticella, the aperture undivided, the

rather long,

and divided into two

parts.

A cylindric body,
the

with a rotatory organ, or row of hairs, at

divided into two parts, a
it

apex

the

tail

little

turning in-

wards.

When

at reft,
it

joins the fegments of the tail;

but

when
water.

in motion,

feparates them.

Generally found in

common

327.

Vorticella Catullus.

Fig. 50, Plate

XXVI.

Vorticella cylindracca, apertura mutica, cauda per brevi, re*

flexa, bicufpi.
tail fhort,

Cylindrical

vorticella,

the aperture plain,

the

bent back, and divided into two points.

It is a little thick animalculum, mufcular, folding itfelf up, of an equal breadth throughout, the body disfigured by longitudinal folds, winding varioufly the anterior part, or head, connected
;

to the

body by a

little

neck,

it

occasionally manifefts a very mifhort, terminating

nute rotatory organ.

The

tail (e) is

in

two
very

634
very fmall
interlines

Microscopical Essays.
briflles (d),

which
It's

it

moves and hides

is

at pleafure

the

ill- defined.

motion

rotatory,

but in various

directions.

Is

found commonly in

marmy

waters.

328.

Vorticella Canicula.

Vorticella cylindracea, apertura mutica, Cauda brevi, articulata,

bicufpi.

Cylindrical vorticella, the aperture plain, the

tail fhort^

articulated,

and dividing

into

two pointed

parts.

329.

Vorticella Felis.

Vorticella caudata, cylindracea, mutica, cauda fpinis duabus

longis terminata.

With

tail,

cylindrical, beardlefs, the tail ter-

minating in two long fpines.

The body

is

large, the
;

apex of an equal
tail

thicknefs, obtufe,
fpines,

with rotatory filaments

the

acute, with

two pellucid

about one-third of the body in length, feparating from and then

approaching each other alternately.

330.

Vorticella Stentorea*

See page 429 of this work.

Vorticella Socialise

331.

See page 432 of

this

work.

332. VoiV

Microscopical Essays.
332.
Vorticella Flofculofa.
Fig.

635

51 and 52, Plate

XXVI.

Vorticella caudata
pellucido.

aggregata,

oblongo-ovata, difco dilatato

With

tail

aggregated, of an oblong oval fhape,

with a dilated pellucid

difc.

To

the naked eye

it

appears as a yellow globule, adhering to

little

the ceratophyllon (a) like a

flower (b), or like a heap of yel-

low eggs.

By

the microfcope they are difcovered to be a con-

geries of vorticellas, conftituting a fphere

from

mouldy

center.

They

either fmgly, or

many of them

together, extend and condifc excite

tract their little bodies,

and by means of the

a vortex

in the water.

Sometimes they quit the

then be obferved more
eafily,

fociety,

and

aft fingly;

they

may
of

and

will
tail.

be found to

conlift
is

three parts, a head, abdomen, and

The head
no
veflige

often fo

drawn back
but
it

into the

abdomen

(d), that

of

it

remains

exhibits a broad difc (landing out,

(d)
is

oPa kidney-fhape.

The

abdomen
interlines,

an oblong, oval, pellucid, replete with obfcure amongft which are one or two remarkable black oval
tail is

fpots (e)

and as long again rough and annulated, or altogether fmooth.

;

the

fharp,

as

the abdomen,

333.

Vorticella Citrina.

Fig. 53, Plate

XXVI.

Vorticella fimplex, multiformis, orificio contraclili, pedunculo

8?quali.
tract,

Simple, many-fhaped, with an orifice that

foot-ftalk.

it

can con-

and equal-fized

4H2

The

636'

Microscopical Essays.
is

The head
equal
fize
;

full

of molecules, round, and every-where of an

ciliated,

very pellucid 3 both fides of the orifice are

and each has a rotatory motion, appearing fometimes without

the edge of the mouth, as at a a
diftincT: interlines,
;

fometimes within
It's

it.

No
i&

or internal motion, perceivable.

this genus,

motion

different

from moft of
It is

but not

eafily defcribed.

c c

fmall feet.

found in ftagnant water.

334.
Vorticella fimplex,

Vorticella Piriformis.

obovata,

pedicello

minimo

retraftili.

Simple, fomewhat oval, with a very fmall retra&ile foot, or one

which

it

can draw within

itfeif.

335.

Vorticella Tuberofa.

Vorticella fimplex, turbinata, apice bituberculata.

Simple

vorticella, the

upper part broad, the under part fmall,

at the anterior end,
fibrillae,

with two projecting parts

which are furnimed

food for our vorti-

with a number of vibrating

that produce a current of

colleol:

water by their quick motion, and thus

cella.

Mr. Baker has delineated

it

in Fig. io, 11, 12, Plate XIII.

of

his

Employment for the Microfcope.

/
336. Vor-

Microscopical Essays.
336.
Vorticella Ringens,

637

Vorticella fimplex, obovata, pedunculo mini mo, orificio contra&ili.

Simple, fomewhat of an oval fnape, a fmall pedicle, an

it

orifice that

contracts or dilates.

The

fmall head, or rather body, of this

little

creature

is

pear-

fhaped, pellucid, the middle of the aperture convex, both fides

ciliated, the pedicle four times fhorter

than the body

it

can con-

tract the orifice to

an obtufe point.

337.

Vorticella Inclinans.

Vorticella fimplex, deflexa, pedunculo brevi, capitulo retractile

Simple, bent, with a fhort pedicle, and fmall retractile

head.

A
and

pellucid pendulous
is

little

head, the anterior part truncated,

occafionally,
;

by

contraction,

made

twice as Ihort as the

pedicle

it's

fhape

is

like that

of a tobacco-pipe.

338.

Vorticella Vaginata.

Vorticella fimplex, erecla, ovato-truncata, pedunculo vaginato.

Simple

vorticella, erect,

of the fhape of a truncated egg,

the pedicle contained in a (heath,

For

6g8

Microscopical Essays.

For the 339th, 340th, and 341ft, the author refers to the Zool. Dan. he terms them vorticella cyathina, vorticelia putrina,
vorticella patellina.

342.

Vorticella Globularia,

Vorticella fimplex,

fphaerica,

pedunculo

retortili.

Simple,

fpherical, with a twilled pedicle.

The little head

in a fpiral form.

is

fpherical, the aperture

of the mouth
it

ciliated,

the pedicle four times longer than the body, which

It
is

contracts

frequent

among

the cyclope quadricorni.

343.

Vorticella Lunaris.

Fig. 54, Plate

XXVI.
Sim-

Vorticella fimplex, hemifphaerica, pedunculo retortili.

ple, hemifpherical, with a twifted pedicle.

The
fides,

fmall

head of

this

animalculum

is

crater-form (goblet-

fhaped), the margin of the orifice protuberant, ciliated on both

the hairs undulating, the pedicle eight or ten times the
as the

length of the body.

cle extends itfelf ;

As often
it is

mouth
is

is

opened, the pedi-

when

(hut, this

twifted

up

fpirally,

and
cilia

thefe motions are often reiterated in a fhort fpace.

a the head

when expanded, b when ereft, e when horizontal,

{hut, c the

undulated edge, d the

f the pedicle

when

ftrait,

g when

bent.

344.

Vo*

Microscopical Essays.
344.
Vorticella Convallaria.

639

See page 445 of thefe effays.

345.

Vorticella Nutans.

Vorticella fimplex,

turbinata,

pedunculo

retortili.

Simple,

with a twilled turbinated pedicle.

The
{lender,

pedicle

and t wills itfeff fpirally, is exceeding and has a kind of cap on the head the margin white
is

fimple,

and round, and

as

it

were encompafled with a lucid ring; the

bafe.
It is tranfparent.

head diminimes towards the

346.

Vorticella Nebulifera.

Fig. 66, Plate

XXVI.
Simple, egg*

Vorticella (implex, ovata, pedunculo

reflexili.

Ihaped, the pedicle bent back.

The body
ture
is

is
it

narrow

at the bafe,

open and truncated

;

at top,

the margin as

were furrounded with a ring

but

when

the aper-

fhut, the

animalculum
the pedicle

is

egg-fhaped, the inteftrhes

fimple,
fetaceous,

may be

eonfiderably longer than the body, and generally much bent back, a the head open, b almoft fhut, c quite fhut, d the ftalk when ftrait,
at e
it is

feen diftinaiy,

is

bent.

640

Microscopical Essays*
347.
Vorticella Annularis.

V orticella fimplex,

truncata, pedunculo apice retortili.

Sim*

pie, truncated, with a pedicle twilled at the end.

This

is

vifible to the

naked eye
is

the head an inverted cone,

convex when the mouth

(hut, truncated
is

when

it is

open, -with

a protuberant edge, the pedicle

fimple, very long, thick,

little

and

whiter at the top than elfewhere, formed into a

head, the

apex

is

twilled fpirally.

This animalculum, when contracted,

appears to be annulated.

348.

Vorticella Acinofa.

See page 440 of

this

work.

349.

Vorticella Fafciculata.

Vorticella fimplex, viridis, campanulata, margine reflexo, pe-

dunculo

retortili.

Simple,

green,

bell-fhaped,

the margin or

edge turned back, the pedicle

twifted.

A congealed green
ditches,
is

maf\

..Inch

is

often

fwimming about

in

compofed of myriads of
eye

thefe animalcula,

which are

not

vifible to the

of green flowers.
at

when The head is

;

magnified, they appear as a bundle

bell-fhaped, green, opake,

narrow

bottom, pellucid.

It

has a rotatory organ, which

may fomeis

times be feen projecting beyond the aperture; the pedicle

twifted

and very (lender

4

little

head

at the apex.

35-

Vo

*"-

Microscopical Essays.
350.
Vorticella Hians.

641

Vorticella fimplex, citriformis, pedunculo

retortili.

This

is

among

the

mo ft

minute.

The head
;

refembles a citron, the apex

is

truncated, the bafe narrow

a gaping cleft

difcovered defcend-

ing from the apex to one-third of the body.

351.

Vorticella Bellis.

Vorticella fimplex, hemifpherica, margine contratili.

ple, hemifpherical,

Sim-

with a margin that

it

can

contracl: at pleafure.

The head

(capitulum) fcarcely pellucid, the infide quite

filled,

yellow, refembling

much

the flower of the daify

in great

it is

ciliated

round the margin,

rotatory manner.

and are

abundance, moving in a

The

foot, or pedicle,

is

long, (lender,

and pellucid

it is
;

di-

vided into two parts, with fmall knobs on the top of each
bafe adheres to a bulb, the
fcales.

the

under part

is

covered with fmall

352.

Vorticella Gemella.

Vorticella

fimplex,

fphaerica,

capitulo

gemino.

Simple,

fpherical, with a

double head.

The

pedicle
it's

is

long,
;

and conftantly furnifhed with two

and
clear.

little

heads at

apex

thefe are bright

4 I

353- Vor-

342

Microscopical Essays.
353Vorticella Pyraria.

See page 437 of

this

work.

354.

Vorticella Anaftatica.

See page 434 of thefe

effays.

355'

Vorticella Digitalis.

See page 444 of

this

work.

356.

Vorticella Poiypina.

Fig. 61, Plate

XXVI.
reflexili ra-

Vorticella compofita, ovato-truncata,

mofiffimo.

pedunculo

Compound
ftalk.

vorticella, oval, truncated, with a bend-

ing branching

When
many

viewed with a fmall magnifier, they appear

trees; the

like fo
.

little

upper

part, or heads, are egg-fhaped, the

filled

top truncated, the lower part

are thick fet with
little

with interlines

the branches

knobs,

a the trunk, b the branches, c

the head

when extended,
357'

f the fmall knobs thereon.

Vorticella Racemofa.

Vorticella compofita, pedunculo rigido, pedicellis ramofiffimis

longis.
feet.

Compound,

pedicle rigid,

with fmall branched long

To

Microscopical Essays.
it

643
focialis,

To the
in

naked eye
from
it

appears like the vorticella

but

is

diftinguifhed

by always adhering

to the fides of the veflel

which

it is

placed.

very

fine pedicle is

with a magnifier, a long perceived flicking to the fides of the veffels,

it

On

examining

from which proceed an innumerable quantity of

lucid pearls, which, together with the ftalk, are

cryftalline pel-

varioufly agita-

ted in the water.

together,

They fometimes move feparately, fometimes are fometimes drawn down to the root, and in a mo-

ment again expanded.

XVII.
Vermis
rotatory

Brachionus.
A worm
ca-

contraftilis, tefta tectus, ciliis rotatoriis.

fhell,

pable of contracting, covered with a

cilia.

and furnifhed with

358.

Brachionus

Striatus.

Fig.

64 and 65, Plate XXVI.

ftriata,

Brachionus univalvis,
bafi integra,

tefta

ovata

apice fexdentata,
fhell

cauda

nulla.

Univalved brachionus, the

oval

and

filiated, fix

notches or teeth round the upper edge, the bafe

tail.

whole or even, without a

The
figure.

fhell

is

oblong, pellucid, and capable of alterations in

(a) truncated,

it's

The apex The

with

fix fmall teeth

on the edge

'of

it,

twelve longitudinal flreaks

down
fhell,

the back, the bafe obtufe

and fmooth.
traced
;

teeth are occafionally either protruded or refide

on the other

of the

towards the

tail,

there are

two

little

fpines or horns (c).

The
1

Microscopical Essays.
The animalculum
of a yellow colour
three
little

is

pellucid, cryftalline,
it

and mufcular, often

then puts forth

from die apex

now and

bundles of playing hairs, the two lateral ones fhorter

;

than the middle one

perceived, and
difcover two

a forked deglutatory mufcle (e)

fide,

on the under

when

the apex

is

may be drawn in, we

rigid points..

It is

an inhabitant of the

lea.

359.

Brachionus Squamula.

Brachionus univalvis,

tefta orbicularis, apice truncata quadri-

dentata, bafi integra, cauda nulla.

Univalved brachionus,

with
teeth,

an orbicular (hell, the apex truncated,

the bafe fmooth, no
tail.

and having four

360.

Brachionus Palav

Brachionus univalvis,

tefta

oblonga excavata, apice quadriUnivalved brachionus, with

dendata, baft integra, cauda nulla.

an oblong excavated
fmooth, no
tail.

{hell,

four long teeth at the apex, the' bafe

It is

of a yellow colour..

361.

Brachionus Bipalium.
apice decemden-

Brachionus univalvis,

tefta

oblonga

inflexa,

Univalved brachionus, the fhell tata, baft integra, cauda fpuria. oblong and inHeRed, ten teeth at the apex, the bafe fmooth, a
fpurious
tail.

362. Bra

-Microscopical Essays.
Brachionus Patina.

3S2.

Brachionus univalvis,

tefta orbiculari

integra,
(hell,

cauda mutica,

U nival vcd brachionus,

with an orbicular
tail.

the edges regular,

and having a long beardlefs

This animalculum

is

large, the (hell cryftalline, nearly circular,

it

without any teeth or incifion, though towards the apex

falls in,

rather
is

fo as

to form a fmooth notch.

;

This

little

creature

re-

markably bright or fplendid

fhell
;

it

is

affixed to the

middle of the

it

projects from the apex a double

;

glittering organ, the

edges of which are ciliated

figure,

both thefe organs are of a conical

were upon a pellucid fubftance, which is divided into two lobes between thefe lobes and the rotatory inftrument there is a filver-coloured crenulated membrane two

and ftand

as

it

fmall claws

may be

difcovered near the

mouth and

other organ-

ized parts.

363.

Brachionus Clypeatus.

Brachionus univalvis,
integra,

tefta

oblonga,

apice

emarginata,
fhell

bafi

cauda mutica.

Univalved brachionus, the

tail

oblong,

the apex notched, the bafe fmooth, the

naked.

364.

Brachionus Lamellaris.

Brachionus univalvis,
corni,

tefta

produ&a, apice

integra, bafi trifhell

cauda

bipili.

Univalved brachionus, the

extending
confider-

64 6

Microscopical Essays.
there are

confiderably beyond the body, the bafe divided into three fmall
horns, at the end of the
tail

two

hairs.

365.

Brachionus Patella.

Brachionus u nival vis,

ginata, cauda bifeta.

tefla ovata, apice bidentata, i>afi

emar-

Brachionus with a univalve oval

fhell,

two

teeth at the apex, the bafe notched,

two

briftles at the tail.

The

(hell plain, oval, orbicular, cryftalline, the anterior part

fides,

terminating in two acute points on both

though the head

fpace.

of the animal for the moft part

fills

up the intervening
are very diftincT:

The head,
of the trunk

the
is

tail,

and the trunk

the bottom

terminated in a femicircle, the fore-part marked

lines
;

with two tranfverfal

inteftines

it

occupies the difc of the

tail
is

fhell.
;

The
it

are indiftincl, the

affixed to the trunk

is

fhort,
fhell,

annulated,

flexible, the

middle projecting beyond the

the apex diverging into two very fine briftles (g); it fallens itfelf by thefe, artd whirls about with the body ered the rota;

tory

cilia (c)

are
all

with great difficulty perceived.

Found

in

marfhy water

the winter.

366.

Brachionus Braclea.

Brachionus univalvis,
Integra,

tefta fuborbiculari,

apice lunata,

ban
fhell

cauda fpina duplici.

Univalved brachionus, the

rather orbicular, the apex lunated, the bafe fmooth, the

tail fur-

nifhed with two fpines.

3 6 7> Bra-

Microscopical Essays,
367.

647

Brachionus

Plicatilis.

Brachionus univalvis,
emarginata.

tefta

oblonga,

apice crenulata,
{hell,

bafi

Univalved brachionus, with an oblong

the

apex

hairy, the bafe notched.

368.

Brachionus Ovalis.

Brachionus bivalvis,
cifa,

tefta deprefla, apice emarginata, bafi in-

cauda cirro duplici,

of hair.

Bivalved brachionus, with a flattened

tail

{hell,

the apex notched, a hollow part at the bafe, the

tufts

form-

ed of two

369.

Brachionus Tripos.

Fig. 59, Plate

XXVI.
cauda

Brachionus bivalvis,
duplici.

tefta

apice mutica,

bafi tricorni,

Bivalved, the apex of the {hell beardlefs, three horns at

tail.

the bafe, double

The body is

pellucid, nearly triangular, bivalved,

;

open on the
laminae pro-

back of the animalculum from the

three or four
points e f

orifice

two
;

little

ceed, that are larger than the rotatory cilia

fliff

at the
tail

bottom are
(g)

a,

and a moveable
little

between

them, divided into two filaments, which the

creature opens

and

{huts at pleafure

by

thefe

it

fixes itfelf to

obje&s.

a the

late-

ral cilia,

b two fmall laminae, c a deglutatory mufcle, e an opake

mafs.

370. Bra-

64 8

Microscopical Essays.
370.

Brachionus Dentatus.

Brachionus bivalvis,
tata,
fhell,

tefta arcuata, apice et bafi utrinque

den-

cauda fpina

duplici.

Bivalved brachionus, with an arched

tail

the apex and the bafe are both toothed, the

fpines.

formed of

two

371.

Brachionus Mucronatus.

Brachionus bivalvis, fubquadrata, apice et bafi utrinque mucronata, cauda fpina duplici.

Bivalved, fomewhat of a fquare

tail

form, the bafe and apex pointed, the

confining of two fpines.

372.

Brachionus Uncinatus.

Fig. 55, Plate

XXVI.
mucronata,
fhell,

Brachionus bivalvis,

tefta ovali, apice Integra, bafi

cauda rugofa

bifeta.

Bivalved brachionus, with an oval

the apex even, the bafe pointed, two thick

briftles for the tail.

This

is

one of the fmallefl bivalved animalcula, the apex and

ftrait,

anterior part round, the^hinder-part

terminating in a point,
1

mufcular, furnifhed with a hook on the fore -part, a final rotatory organ, a tail compofed of joints, long, and cloven at the end into

two

briftles.

It

can open
clofe, c

it's

fhell

both

at the fore

and hind-part,

a the

fhell
tail,

when
i

the poller ior point, d the animalculum,

the

the briftles.

373. Bra-

Microscopical Essays.
373.

649

Brachionus Cirratus.

Brachionus capfularis,

tefta

apice producla, bafi curti, bicorni,

cauda

Larger than the preceding, ventricofe, fomewhat pellucid, the head conical, on both fides of which is a bundle of
bifeta.

hairs

it

has alfo a rotatory organ.

374.

Brachionus Pa flu s.

Brachionus capfularis.

tefta

cylindracea,

frontis

cirris

binis

pendulis, fetaque caudali unica.

dric fhell,

Capfular brachionus, in a cylin-

two long pendulous locks of hair proceed from the

of a fingle
briftle.

front, the tail confifts'

375.

Brachionus Ouadratus.

Brachionus capfularis,
bicorni, cauda nulla.
Ihell,

tefta

quadrangula, apice bidentata, baft

Capfular brachionus, in a quadrangular

with two fmall teeth at the apex, two horns proceed from
it

the bafe,

has no

tail.

376.

Brachionus Impreffus.

Brachionus capfularis,
obtuft emarginata,
fhell

tefta

quadrangula, apice integra, baft

cauda flexuofa.

Capfular brachionus, the

quadrangular, the apex fmooth or undivided, the bafe ob-

tufe, the

margin notched, the

tail

flexuous or bending.

377- Bra -

Microscopic a l E s s a y/s<
377.

Brachionus Urceolaris,

Fig.^oand
For
a-

57, Plate

XXVI. and
of
this

Fig. 36, 37, 38, Plate

XXIII

full

defcription

fee

page 448.

378.

Brachionus Bakeri.

Fig, 58, Plate

XX VL

Brachionus capfularis,
bah; bicorni,

tefta

ventricofa, apice quadridentata^,

cauda longa,

bicufpi.

Capfular brachionus, the

fhell ventricofe,

four teeth at the apex,

two horns

at

the bafe,

the

tail

long, and terminating in two. fhort points..

This
fhell,

differs

confiderably from the foregoing in the fhape of thefide

from each

of which there

is

a curved projection init,

clining towards the

tail,

nearly of the fame length with

and
of a

terminating in a point.
different form,

The upper part

in

alfo

of the

fhell is

having

general four longer fpiculse, and two

Ihorter ones.

From
;

the head two arms, or branches,, are freis

quently extended

the circular end of each

fu mimed*

with

a-

border of little

hairs,

which one while move

in a vibratory

manthey

ner, at another time they

have a rotatory motion.

The

eggs are
;

either affixed to the

tail,

or the curved part of the fhell

have from one to

ther difcovered
little

five

hanging from them.

feelers,

Mr. Muller

has- fur-

two fmall

and a kind of tongue to

this

creature,

a the rotatory organ, b the tongue, c the feelers,

d a ciliated part on the fide of the fhelL

379.. Bras.

M icroscop
379.

al

Essays,

Brachionus Patulus.

Brachionus capfularis,

tefta ventrofa,

apice o&odentata, bafi

lunata quadricorni, cauda brevi bicufpL

^the {hell venlrofe, eight teeth at the

Capfular brachionus-j

apex, the bafe lunated or

hollowed into the form of a crefcent, and furaifhed with four

horns, the
tail fhort,

with two fmall points at the end.

4K2

CHAP.

652

Microscopical Essays.

CHAP.

IX.

On the Organization or Construction

as

of Timber,

viewed by the mlcroscope.

THE
field

fubjecl:

of the following chapter opens an extenfive

naturalift, in
is

of obfervation to the
well

which the labour of

life

may be

employed

it

a branch where the obferver

will find the microfcope of continual

will fcarce

ufe,and without which he

idea of the organization of

be able to form any

juft

trees

and

plants,

of the variations in the difpofition, the number,

of the feveral parts thereof.

nature,

and

offices

Malphigi,

Grew, Duhamel,

Hill,

Bonnet, and

Be

Sauffure,
;

are almofl the only writers

if

who have treated on

and the
little

this fubjecl:

and

we

confider the imperfection of the inrlruments ufed

attention

by fome
paid

in thofe anatomical refearches,

by

the reft to the advantages their favorite purfuits might have derived from the ufe of the microfcope

and the

di {feeling knife,

we

have rather more to wonder

remains to be performed.
fubjecl;

at

One

what has been done, than at what reafon that our knowledge of the
is

of

this

chapter

is

fo circumfcribed,

the general ipattention

Microscopical Essays.
tion to the ftru&ure of plants;
to this,

$53
other can fes,

among

we

may

alfo afcribe the inftability and fluctuation of the

different

on the principles of vegetation. We are, however, fo little acquainted with the Heps which Providence takes to lead intelle&ual, but free agents, to the knowledge of truth, and the
theories

various difficulties, errors, and prejudices that muff be removed

before

it

can mine in

it's

native colours, that

it is

our duty to en-

courage every humble

that thus

effort

towards the advancement of Fcience,

we may

co-operate with our Creator and

all

Redeemer

in

promoting that vaft plan to which

the bringing
all his

things are

now

converging,

creatures to a flate of truth, goodnefs, and

confequent happinefs, an end worthy of the belt and wifeft of

beings.*

As Dr.

Hill

is

the

firft

writer

who

has treated this part of

natural hiftory in

an orderly and

fcientific

manner,

I (hall ufe

the

names he has adopted trees, &c. which are,

4. the

for characterizing the different parts

1.

of

the rind;

2.

the bark;

3. the blea 6.

wood;

5. the

corona or

circle

of propagation;

the

pith.

Thefe are placed immediately within or under one ano-

ther; they are the efiential parts

tree depends
:

upon which the

firength of the

in,

among, and between

thefe, the various veffels

are placed, which nourifh the whole, and maintain

and carry on
it's

the vegetation of the tree, and from which

qualities

it

obtains

peculiar

and

virtues.

Thefe

veffels are

of

five kinds.

Juice

* See the Bifliop of Exeter's Ssrmon before the Society for the Propagation of the
Gofpel.

R<

O S COP I C A'L

"E S S

A -YS.

Juice
f t,
|

Vess.els..

2.

^1

3.

^4.
5.

The exterior veffels, placed between the rind and The .interior, in the fubftance of the bark. The intimate, in the fubftance of the blea. The fap veftels, in the fubftance of the wood, The coronal, in the corona.
accurate inftruments, or a

the .bark.

More

more minute
veftels, in

inveftigation

the parts,

may

probably difcover new

a fyftem which

.appears to.be entirely vafcular, and bring us

more thoroughly

acquainted with the nature of vegetation.

Of the Rind,

The
ftance,

exterior covering of

all trees is

a thin, dry, parched fub-

which has been compared by many writers to the (kin of animals, and called by names analogous thereto thus it is called
;

the epidermis

by Duhamel, the
full

fkin

by Grew, the rind by

Hill.

When a

tree

is

of fap,
it

this
it

membrane may be

eafily de-

tached from the part

covers

may be

feparated from green

5

branches which are not in fap, by boiling them in water

pieces of
it

large

may

alfo

be obtained from rotten branches

trees
is

the rind

of the leaves of

many

detached with fingular dexterity

;

from the other parts, by fome of the mining caterpillars methods for effecting this purpofe have been defcribed
159 of this work. to be of little ufe,

artificial

in

page

Though
it

the rind

may

at

firft

fight

be thought
procefs

will

be found to be a principal organ in the

Microscopical Essays.
procefs of vegetation
raoft
;

655

trie

part which covers the root has the

it.

important

offices affigned to

Many

are of opinion that the rind

fays, that

is

formed of dried veficula

and Malphigi

we may

fee in the vafcular texture of the

bark of the cherry and plumb trees an arrangement of the parts proper to form the rind, and this arrangement is occafioned by
the endeavour of the vafcular part to extend
ference, and'the refiftance
it

itfelf

to the circum

meets with from the rind

and that

hence the
form..

veffels are flattened,,

and affume a membranaceous

The Upon

rind

is

a general" covering to the. young trunks

of trees,

to

the branches, the roots, the leaves, the fruit, the flowers, Sec.
the trunks of large trees fome pieces only of the rind are to

be found, having probably been broke by the increafed fize of The rind of fome (pedes of trees will bear being the tree.
ffretched

much

further than thofe of others,

and remain

for a

confiderable
afferts,

time uniformly fpread over the bark.

Duhainel

that the rind of vigorous healthy trees

remains longer

whole than on thofe that are more languid, notwithftanding that

the growth of the
againfl the rind.
laft is flower,

and therefore makes

is

lefs

efforts

This circumflance

much

in

favour of the

difcinft organization

of the rind, and againfl the opinion of thofe

who

only fuppofe

it

to confiff of dried bladders.

Thin as the rind

to each other,
in others

is, it is

formed of many coats, adhering

fpecies

clofelv

which

in

fome

may

be feparated with eafe,

with

difficulty.

Duhamel

fays, that

he has divided the

65 5

Microscopical Essays.
fix difiintl coats,

rind of the birch into

and that he had no dcmbt

but what the divifion might have been carried

Dr. Hill
ftate fays, that unlefs

much

further.

fome of
reft,

thefe coats are obtained in a

of feparation from the

the .true conftruction of the rind

is

cannot be difcovered, for the connection and form of the parts

loft

by the confufion

in

which they appear while they

lie

one

upon another.

The
cherry

following experiments

may throw

little

light

upon
air,

this

obfcure fubjecl'*
tree,

All the rind was taken from the trunk of a

tree thus ikinned,

and the

expofed to the

a part
;

of the bark which was next to the rind dried up and exfoliated
the part next to this did the fame
;

after

two or three
pieces

exfoliations,

a farinaceous fubftance covered the fuperficies of the trunk, foon

after

which a new rind appeared.

Some

of rind were

taken from a few young branches, and the wounds were covered
with a cloth that had been foaked in
the rind appeared in a very
foliation.
little

wax and turpentine

on

thefe

time, without

any apparent ex-

From fome

other branches, not only the rind, but a

part of the bark, was alfo taken away,

before

a flight exfoliation

followed with a

new

rind.

and the wounds covered as was obferved here, which was foon The bark was taken entirely off from
it

a vigorous cherry-tree, while

was

in full fap, fo that the

wood

appeared the whole extent of the trunk.

This was protected

from

the rays of the fun,

and from the

air.

new bark and

rind formed themfelves

upon
left

the trunk, but they did not originate

from the bark that was

extended from different

on the branches and the root, but fpots, which were firfl formed at confiderable

* Duhamel Phyfique des Arbres,

torn,

p. 12.

Microscopical Essays.
fiderable diftances
years, this

from each

other.

After a lapfe of fifteen

cherry-tree.

generates

new rind did not appear like the natural rind of the From thefe experiments we learn, that the rind remore readily in fome cafes than in others, and that it
becoming dry

preferves and prevents in a degree the bark from

too foon, and in confequence thereof exfoliating.

Aided by the microfcope, a number of luminous points may

be difcovered in the rind * thefe are
;

fo

many minute
alfo

holes for

other purpofes of tranfpiration. In the ^ane thefe holes are vifible

to the naked eye.
thefe are, however,

A few oval holes

may

be perceived in

it;

no more than a feparation of the

parts, oc-

cafioned by the extenfion of the vafa interiors

Dr.

Grew

fuppofed the rind to be formed of fmall

veficles,

or

bladders, cluttered together,

and intermixed with lignous

;

fibres

or

vefTels,

which run through the length of the rind

thefe are

conjoined by other tranfverfe ones, but that as the rind dries, the
bladders or blebs Ihrink up and difappear.

This account does

fays, that the rind is

not

differ

much from
feries

that of Dr. Hill,

who

formed of a

of longitudinal

veffels,

and a filmy fubftance

between them, which, when viewed

thefe longitudinal fibres

in a tranfverfe feclion,

form

fmall circles, the fides of which are fupported and

;

made up of

that the tranfverfe vefTels are only a de-

ception, occafioned
film.

by the fpaces between part and part of the

The mode

tion of this part,

veflels thereof,

of obtaining an accurate view of the organizaby conveying coloured liquors into the feveral
i

has been already defcribed in page

62 of thefe
eflays

4
* Diihamel Phyfique
.des

L
Arbres, vol
1,

p. 9.

658
eflays
;

Microscopical Essays.
by
this

means, together with the microfcope,

we

find that

the vefTels are every-where pierced with fmall dots, or openings

of the ufe of thefe the following conjectures have been formed.*

The

root,

which
is

is

equal in furface to a third part of the tree

above ground,
gether,

covered with a pierced rind.

this,

The

cold of

winter contracts the whole of

the parts are drawn clofer toveflels

and the mouths of thefe innumerable

fo,

are (hut, or

nearly

by

this contraction

a very

little

of the half congealed

this
fuffices

moiflure of the ground gets into them, but

fervice of the tree,
tion,

for the

and

at a

time

when there is little heat when in the deciduous

to caufe

any perfpiravery organs

trees, the
exift.

of the greater! perfpiration, the leaves, do not

The warmth

of fpring arrives, the

;

fluids
this

of the earth grow

thinner, every part of the root expands

opens the mouths of

the veflels, and the torrent of nutrition rufhes in.

By

this

means,

every coat of the rind, and

the interfiitial fpaces thereof, are reneafily feparated

dered fupple,
coverings.

and may be

from the

under

In roots the colour of the rind varies very much, being white
in

fome, brown in others, &c.

it

Every

root, according to

Grew,
after;

after

has arrived at a certain age, has a double fkin. the one

:

coeval with the other parts,, and ex ills in the feed

a ring

is

wards (em off from the bark, which forms the fecond flan
in the root of dandelion,

thus

towards the end of May, the original or

is

outer fkin appears mrivelkd,. and

eafily feparated

from the new

one,.

Hill's

Conftruaion of Timber, &c.

p. 37*

Microscopical Essays.
one,

<%9

which

is

frefher,

"and

adheres

more

firmly to the bark.

Perennial plants are fupplied in this manner with a

year

the outer one always

is

falls

off in the

new fldn every autumn and winter,

and a new one

formed from the bark

in the fucceeding fpring.

Of the Vessels which are contained between the Rind and the Bark.
Thefe are called by Duhamel the
cellulaire)

cellular

coat, (eriveloppe

by Hill the

exterior veffels,

and the vafa propria

exteriora.

It

has been already obferved, that in trees the juice

veflels,

or

vafa propria,

do not form
confifls,
it

thofe conftituent parts of the

wood of
fpecific

which the timber

properties.*

but that
it's

it is

from the nature of thefe

recipient veflels that

derives

virtues, qualities,
live,

and

tree

may grow,
it's

and give

fliade

without
virtues

them

but on thofe
;

peculiar character

and decided

depend

thefe are greateft

where the vafa propria are

thefe,

larger!

or

molt numerous, and where we do not find

we

fcarce find

any thing that

has

will affect the tafle or the fmell.

There are differen t

each of which
different ftru&ure,
in
all

ranges of thefe veffels between the feveral parts,

it's
it's

allotted place,

it's

peculiar form,
trees

it's

and

feparate ufe.

Many

have them

their parts,

others only in fome of them, while others do not exhibit any.

Gn

taking off the rind,

we

find a fubftance of a

deep green

eolour, fucculent and herbaceous, formed of a prodigious

number'
of

* Hull's Gonflrudion of Timber,

p. 73.

66b

Microscopical Essays.
;

it is of filaments, interwoven together in various directions in others, particularly than in -the more abundant in fome trees

elder,

and more fucculent

in

fummer than

in winter;

it

is

then

alfo lefs

adherent to the rind.

Dr. Hill thinks the beft time of

is

feparating the rind,

in order to view this part,

in

a living

branch, at the time of it's

fwelling for the fpring, or for the mideafier

fummer

fhoot, but

much

by the means of maceration.*

leaves the vafa propria

When
of this
but
little

the rind

is

perfectly feparated,
it;
;

it

clafs

behind

they fcarce adhere to the inner bark,

and

to the rind

they are difpofed in packets, and do not.

run ftraitdown the branch, but interweaving with each other form a kind of net. Thefe packets may be feparated eafily from the bark
is
;

when

a thin tranfverfe fection of one of them

is

examined,,

found to be compofed of twelve or fifteen diftincl; veflels^ it with hard rinds. Dr. Hill fays, that with a great deal of patience,, a vaft number of objects, and a good microfcope, ,we may fee by

what means

thefe veffels adhere to the bark

for

we

fh all rind

upon the

fides fmall oval depreffions

which

fit

thereto,

and that

are probably a kind of glands, that feparate

from the general

More of fap with which the bark

thefe veffels.

is filled*-

the juices peculiar to.

Of the Bark.
The bark lies next
within the rind, and
it

differs

but

little

from k
in the

in conflru&ion, though
fcale of vegetation, the

holds a

more important
qualities

office

growth and

of the tree being in

a great

* Hill's Conftru&ion of Timber,

p. 75.

M
S'

ro s copical
it.

Essays.
It is,

661

great meafure connected with

therefore,

found to

differ confiderably in fubftanee, quantity, and quality, in various

kinds.

It

is

originally the outer

feed.

Even

there, as in the

membrane, covering the lobes of the branch of a tree, it appears in form

of bread, compofed of flatted

of a kind of fpunge, or
bladders.
...

like a cruft

It% fpunge-like nature

traction
dilate

of

it's

pores

when

in water

may be further inferred from the conwhen dry, and the eafe with which they Grew has called it a moft curious and exIn the courfe of
it
it's

quifitely fine-wrought fpunge.

growth, the
call
-

outer ranges of thefe bladders drying,

the rind
flight
;

becomes what we

for the rind

was once
from

bark^ and has only fuffered a

change

in feparating

it.;.

By

the bark the tree

is

fed with a continual fupply of moiflure;

protected from external injuries, and defended from the exceffes

of heat and cold

different trees.

for thefe purpofes

it

is

varioufly difpofed in
it

In the hardy and flow growing, as the oak,

is

thin; in the quick growing, as willow, poplar,

is

and the

like, it
is,

thick.

And what
it's

is

more
is

particularly to be attended to

that

in

fome

inner verge

radiated.

There are fome

which
t^ie

trees,
is

and a
? -

great

many herbaceous
it

plants, in

this

part

continued

inward, in form of rays, through

ing as

blea into the wood, formit

were fo many

wedges, that fplit as

were the fubflance

of both thofe parts,* a circumftance which accounts for the vegetation of

fome

particular trees,

which are known to

live

when

de-

prived
* Hill's Conftru&ion of Timber,
p. 118.

Ibid. p. I2Q.

662

Microscopical Essays,
;

p rived of the bark

within,

becaufe they have rays of the fame fubftance

this in a

which anfwer the purpofe, and

life.

degree anfwering

to the nature of their

The bark appears to be formed, firft, of longitudinal fibres, which Duhamel confiders as fo many lymphatic veffels; fecondly,

by a kind of a filmy
as a

cellular tiflue,

which have been confider-

ed

kind of bladders by fome, or as parenchymous by others; of the vafa propria interiora, or interior juice
vefTels.

thirdly,

The

longitudinal fibres are difpofed in ftrata, which

lie

one

over the other.

the cellular coat,

In that ftratum which

is

next the rind, or rather

we

perceive a net of longitudinal fibres, the

eafily diftinguifhed, particularly

mefhes of which are large and

when
do
time

the cellular tiflue that

fills

up the

interftices

is

removed.

To

this,
;

the branches fhould be macerated for a

to be kept in this ftate
firft

confiderable
It will

fome require

for years.

then be eafy to feparate

the rind, then the cellular coatings

It

and afterwards

this

pulpy matter.

may

fometimes.be eafily re-

moved

after the branches

have been boiled.

The mod:
feems to be

exterior ftratum,

when examined by
fibres,
;

the naked eye,

folder,

formed of Ample

which

graft.,

or

anaftomofe one with the other

but when

examined by a micros
other.

fcope, each of thefe fibres will be

filaments,

found to be a bundle of

which may be

eafily feparated

from each

Grew

fays,

that each filament,

like the nerves in

animals?,

con fills of twenty or

thirty fmall contiguous tubes,

which run
off any

uniformly from the extremity of the root, without fending

branches,

Microscopical Essays.
branches, or fuffering any change in their fize and fhape.
the bark

663

Hence

may

be tore or divided lengthways, with greater eafe

;

than in an horizontal direction

when macerated, they

are capa-

ble of a very great degree of fubdivifion.

The
ble to

filaments of a cortical veffel are to be looked

as fo

on (agreeabundles
;.

what we have already obferved)

firft

many
of one

little

placed near together, and at but foon quitting

growing parallel to each other

this direction, the filaments

fafcicle part-

ing from that to which they originally belonged, and inclining

more or
it,

lefs

obliquely towards another, fometimes uniting with

at others
it

bending backwards, and uniting again with that from

it

whizh

proceeded, or with Tome one that

fafcicles are often

meets with.

In this

manner new
this

formed, while other parcels are

increafed or diminifhed by the additions of

new

filaments;
fibres

by

means, a kind of irregular net

line

is

formed, and the

pro-

ceed in a ferpentine

from the top to the bottom

of. the., tree.

The thicknefs
ftrata
is

of the bark

is

entirely

formed of ftrata of thefe

mefhes are fmaller,

longitudinal fibres,

which

lie

one over the other; each of thefe

fimilar to the exterior one, only the

fibres finer, in

and the

proportion as they are more interior, inal

fomuch
fibres

that at laft the- melhes are

lie quite,

mo ft

annihilated,

and the

feem to

parallel to

each other.

There arefome
,

trees,

however, v/here the mefiies are not vifible,

direSion.

and
im

in

which

the. fibres lie quite in a. trail

There

are

many

other circumftances in which they vary in different trees

mefiies of each .ftratum correfpond with each other,

fome the

diminifiV

66^

Microscopical Essays.
more
interior,

dimiriifhing gradually in fize as they are

and form-

ing

as

it

were

fo

many

conical cells.

'

We
is

may,

I think,

conclude from what has been

thin

faid, that the

membranes, which extend over The moft exterior memthe whole exterior furface of the tree.
bark

compofed of feveral
the rind

brane

is

under

this

is

what Duhamel
veftels

calls the cellular

coat; next to this the cortical ftratum, or true bark of the tree,

which

is

formed of lymphatic

ranged more or
interiora.

lefo

in a

reticular form,
;

and of the vafa propria

The mefhes
and
filled

are fo conftituted as to form large cavities next the rind,

fmall ones near the

wood.

Thefe

cavities

are

with a

parenchymous fubftance or the

cellular tiffue,

which being con-

tinued from the wood to the rind, joins and unites the cortical
ftratum, and afterwards fpreading

on the

outfide thereof, forms

-what has been termed the cellular coat.

Of the Cellular

Tissue.

We now proceed
fills

to give

fome account of the fubftance which

up

the vacant fpaces that are left between the longitudinal

It is

fibres.

called

by Grew the parenchyma or pulp, by Mal-

phigi, the veficular tiflue or

webj both of them

confider

it

as

formed of fmall bladders or

each other, lying
in

reticules, that are in contact

with

an horizontal
:

pofition, or at right angles to

all
it

the longitudinal fibres

they do not fuppofethem to be

:

of the
to jthe

fame

fize,

or even of the fame figure

Grew compares

froth of beer or eggs.

(

The
it's

flelh

of

fruits confifts for the

moft

part of this fubftance, very

much

filled

with juice, though -with

.considerable difference in

organization,

Be

this as it

may,
ttbe

Microscopical Essays.
the nature of this fubftance.
it's is

66 6

form and

ftruclure, are at prefent

but very

little

known.

It

floccofe,

and varies

in

colour in

different fpecies.

Of the Vasa Propria Interiora.

Befides the lymphatic veflels and the cellular fubftance,
find the juice veflels, or vafa propria, in the bark.

we

In thofe trees

which are famous

large
;

for medicinal virtues, they

are ufually

very
is

they carry the milky juices of the fumaeli, and in them

fineft

lodged the

and higheft-flavoured turpentine

the turpentine

in all the kinds

of pine.
beft,

Dr. Hill thinks that a tree of that genus exhibits them

as

and the more,

which

fills

them may be
is

perfectly diflblved in fpirit of wine.

fpecies in

The

pinus oriental is
feen.

the

which thefe

veflels are

moll diftin&ly

Of the Blea.
This
is

that part of the tree

lies

which

is

forming into wood, and

therefore

between it and the bark, and may be feparated from

them by maceration.

longitudinal piece of the blea,

when examined by the

microfcope, exhibits a number of veflels running parallel to each

other, the inter flitial fpaces being filled with a floccofe, white,

formlefs fubftance, of which Dr. Hill

.

fufpecls

even the

veflels

themfelves to

be

formed/
fo

Innumerable fmall openings,

or

mouths,
xnoifture

may be
which
is

difcovered in thefe veflels, fuited to imbibe the

eflential
\yell

to

the

life

and health of

plants.

Thefe mouths cannot be

difcerned, except

when they

are

opened

665

Microscopical Essays.

opened by the feafon of the year, either before the nrft leaves of though a final 1 quanfpring, or in the midfummer {hooting time
;

tity

of

mo

Pane

will

keep them open

at that time, yet

no quai>

tity v/ould

be funicient at an improper feafon.*

The

blea

is

a zone

more or

lefs perfect,

which
is

lies

under the

bark, and covers or furrounds the wood, and

principally diftin-

guifhed from

it

by being

lefs

denfe.
is

In fome fpeeies the difference

it

between the blea and the wood

lefs
fo.

very remarkable, in others

is

The
fat in

ancient botanifts, (truck with the difference they obferved^

blea,

between the wood and the

animals.
the
in a

compared

this fubftance

to the
it

Malphigi, Grew, and Duhamei conhder

ftate

as

wood

not yet arrived to a

fimilar to the

of perfection.

It is

organized
veffels,

manner

wood, and

poffeffing the

fame

difpofed nearly in the fame manner.

part

The

juice
;

veffels

of

this-

may be

feparated from

it

by maceration
.

Dr. Hill fays, that

in this ftate

they appear perfect cylinders, with thick white coats ?

the furface perfectly uniform.

Of the Wood.

When

the bark and the blea

is

is

taken away,

we come

to the

wood, which

fol id

fubftance,

on which the ftrength of the

tree depends, and which has been confidered by naturalifts as

being to the tree what bones are to the animal.

general view,

The wood,
ftrata,

in a

may

be

confidered as
the other
;

formed of

which are

inclofed one within

thefe ftrata

confift of lignous
fibres

* Hill's Conftru&ion of Timber.

Microscopical Essays.
fibres or

66j
vafa pro-

lymphatic

veffels,

the cellular

web

or

tiflue,
is

pria,

and what have been called the

in

air veffels. It

more difficult

to invert igate the conflruclion of the

parts, becaufe the texture
is

wood than that of the other general much harder, and thereand
fit

fore not fo eafily feparated, requiring very long macerations,

many
If

fubjecls, before

one may be found

for examination.

we examine

a tranfverfe fection of almoft any kind of wood,

we

(hall

perceive thefe flrata very clearly and fenfibly diftinguiftiIt

ed from one another.

of thefe
is

has been generally fuppofed, that each

the producl of one year's growth; though if

(hall

we

cut the

fame wood obliquely, we

is

perceive that each of thefe flrata

compounded of fmaller

ones,

which

are, therefore,

not fo eafy
trees,

to difcover as the larger.

By

macerating rotten pieces of

the

wood may be

divided into an immenfe

number of leaves,

or

flrata,

thinner than the fined paper.

If the foregoing flrata are

examined

in their detached flate

by

the microfcope,
dinal fibres
;

we

{hall find

them

to be

compofed of

longitu-

fome pieces of rotten wood,

is

after maceration, will

;

divide of themfelves into very fine longitudinal fibres

the exifl-

ence of thefe

further proved

by the

facility
fibres.

with which

may may

be fplk in the direction of thefe

collect, that the lignous flrata are

wood From hence we

fibres

formed of fmall

or

Veffels, collected

together in fafcicles, like the bark: in

fome

trees they are parallel to

each other, in others they are difpofed

more
work.

obliquely, c rolling

and forming an irregular kind of net-

There

is

great probability that this reticular difpofition

exifls in all trees,

though

it

may be difficult
4

to difcover

it

in

many
on

568

Microscopical Essays.
finenefs of the mefh.es, the hardnefs of the
fibres.

on account of the

wood, and the famenefs of colour in the conflituent

We are here only fpeaking of

fibres

the lymphatic veflels or lignous

in
it

of the wood, which

in different ftates
flexible
;

exift

as well as in the bark,

though

for the lignous fibres are always harder

and

lefs

than the cortical ones.

Malphigi thinks they

ifiiies

differ in

another particular, namely, that a juice or fluid

from the cortical, while none is found in thofe of the wood. In this it would appear from the obfervations of Duharnel, that he
r

was miftaken..

tranfverfe feclion of

wood

generally appears formed of a

number of

rays proceeding from the corona to the bark, which

by concentric circles, interfperfed with veflels of varying, magnitude the variations in this ftruclure afford much pleafure to the curious obferver, and throw
are interfered at different diftances
:

confiderable light
it is

upon

the nature and properties of timber

for

by means of a variety of {trainers

It
it,

that different juices are pre-

pared from the fame mafs.

Matter, confi dered as matter, has no

is

fhare in the qualities of bodies.

it,

from

the'

arrangement of
fo

or the recipient forms given to

that

we have

many

differ-

ent fubflances.

According to the modifications that thefe

the fame light,
air,
;

receive,

we

mall

find,

water, and, earth, manifefting

}

themfelves in one by a deadly poifon and in another by the raoft

falubrious food.

A lemon ingrafted

upon an orange
it's

flock,

is

capa-

ble of changing the fap of the orange into

different

arrangement of the nutritive juices.

own nature, by a One mafs of earth

cool

will give life

and vigour

to-

the bitter aloe, to the fweet cane, the

Microscopical Essays.
the deadly night-fhade.

66g

cool houfe-Ieek, and the fiery muftard, the nourifhing grain, and

The wood may be

former; the latter
it
is

confidered as compofed of two parts,

lig-

nous and parenchyraous.

that

We
which
fibres,

have already treated of the

is

difpofed into rays running as

were between the lignous

originates

either with the pith or corona.

and interweaving with them; There is a very

in

great diverfity in thefe radial infertions, in fome trees there are

very few, while they abound in others

fine,

in

others very thick.

fome they are very In texture they feem fimilar to

;

the blebs of the bark, only that here they, are fo crouded and
firetched out as to appear like parallel threads* fomething fimilar
to a net

when drawn

tight.

Of the Corona,
Dr. Hill gives
pith,
this
it

name

to that circle

which furrounds the

in his opinion
it

and feparates

from the wood; although

in
it's

differs greatly

from both, and

compofition has no refem-

blance to either.

It is, according to him, the moft important part in the whole vegetable fabric, by which the propagation, and

mcreafe of the branches, buds, and {hoots,

is

carried on. *

It has been ufual to fuppofe the pith of vegetables to be the part in which thefe wonderful fources of increafe refides, but this
is

not the cafe

and he

afferts,

that fo far

from being prior

to the

other parts,

it is

in reality pofterior to

fome of them.

The
* Hill on the-Conftru&ion of Timber, p. 55,

M
The corona
pith
is

C R O

O,

C AL

E S S A Y-S.
is
it

not fo uniform as the other parts, nor

It
is

conftituted ex a 61:1 y fimilar in all trees.

placed between the

and wood in

all

vegetables, forming a ring,

whole outline

is

more or

lefs regulated.
veffels, like

The

general circle

is

cellular,

compofed
perfectly
clu Iters

of blebs and
fimilar to

the bark and the rind, and

at different diftances

is

them, only that

oblong

of

different veffels

are placed

amongft

it.

Thefe

clutters

are

ufually eight or ten in number, and give origin to the angles of

the corona.

They

are not uniform, or of one kind of veffels, as

in the bark, but each

has two

diflincT: forts,-

the exterior one

a'nfwering to the blea,

and the

interior to the

wood of trees

and within each of thefe are difpofed veffels not unlike thofe in trie blea and wood, though often larger than they are foand
-

in thofe parts.

Thus each duller

abfolutely bark

is

compofed of

all

the eflential parts of the

fucceeding branch, and the intermediate parts of the circle are

and rind
it

they are ready to follow and clothe

it

the duffer

when
it

goes off in the form of a fhoot, becaufe

will

then need

their covering

and defence, though,

It is

in

it's

prefent in-

clofed flate,

does not.

from

this conftruclion that

a tree

is

ready

at all times,

and

in all parts, to fhoot out branches,

j

and

every branch in the fame manner to fend out others

for the

whole trunk, and the branch in all it's length, have this courfe of eflential veffels ready to be protruded out, and the proper and In fome trees thefe natural integuments as ready to cover them.
parts are

more

evident, in others

more ob feu rely arranged.

Dr.

Hill fays, the bocconia, or parrot-wood of the Weft-Indies, and

the 'greater celandine, are proper fubjecls for opening this great

myfiery

Microscopical Essays.
myftery of nature.

6yi

On

the corona and

it's

cluflerS

depend that

property of vegetables, that they can be produced entire from every piece. Thefe cluflers follow the courfe of the other portions

of the tree

they are, therefore, every-where

they are

always capable of growing, and their growth, even in a cutting

of the fmallefl twig, cannot produce a leaf or any. other part of a vegetable alone, but muff afford the whole, for they are complete bodies,
tunities

and the whole

is

there waiting only for the opporthis part

of extenhon.

For the knowledge we have of

It

we

are altogether indebted to Dr. Hill.

remains for future

obfervers to confirm or difprove his obfervations.

Of the Pith.
The
it is

pith

is

large in

found in the center of every young moot of a tree fome, lefs in others, but prefent in all. It is placed

dole within the corona.

feems to be nothing more than a congeries of the cellular
;

It

tiffue

it

is

generally found near the center of the tree, incJofed

;

as

it

were within a tube

in general, the

cells

of the pith are

larger than thofe of the cellular tiffue, with which, according to

Duhamel,
though

it

communicates.

pith to the bark are, in his

it

For the rays which extend from the opinion, produced from it. Thus,
the parenchymous parts of the

may

differ in

name from
is

bark, and the radial infertions in the

wood, yet
;

it is

of the fame

nature and texture, and

continuous with them

fo that, accord-

ing to this idea, the Ikin, the parenchyma, the infertions, and the

pith*

672
pith, arc all
,the veffels.

Microscopical Essays.
one piece of work,
rilled

up

in divers

manners with

The bark and

pith,

the

wood grow

thicker every year, while the

{lender, fo that- in a
it is

on the contrary, grows more

it
is

branch of

one year

of a larger fize than

in the

fame branch when

in

two years

old,

and

fo on.

In very

young branches, while

lefs

an
;

herbaceous

(late,

the pith forms the greateft part of it's fubflance

mt when

the fibres are ftronger, the pith becomes

fucculent,
is

and furrounded with a tube of wood; when the branch

to a certain age. it
is

arrived

fo compreffed as to

be almofl annihilated.

In examining different branches that proceed from others in their firft ftate, a fmall communication between the pith of the one

and the other

will

be found

but

this

communication

is

generally
cells

* entirely clofed up in the fecond or third year

The

of

which the pith

is

formed are

at

firft

entirely

one conneaed body;

but as the plant grows up,

it is

often fo broke and ruptured, as to

remain no longer a continuous Jubilance.

other particulars in the hiftory of the thinks it is pith, corroborates the opinion of Dr. Hill,+ who corona, for the purpofe of moiflening the clufters of the
This, as well as

many

formed

and regulating
and comes

its

extenfion

it

has been fuppofed coeval with,

it is

or primordial to
after

all

the other parts, but he thinks

in the order
it's

poftnate,
it's

them

of time, as well
blebs,

as in

ufes.

That exhaled

air gives origin to

and the thicknefs of the

juices

* Duhamcl Phyfique des Arhies,

torn, l, p. 38. " p. 66.

Hill's Con-ftru&iQn of

Timber,

Microscopical Essays,
juices cloathing the bubble, gives
firfl
it

673

form and fubflance.

The

feafon

is

the time of

it's

greatdl

ufe,

and

it

immediately after

begins to decay.

The

pith has in
it

general been reprefented as

is.

much

more

complex than
{ingle
it
is

really

It confifts

of a range of bladders,
is
it

lying one over the other.

;

The membrane
procure

fimple, the outline

in this fimple
fl

but as

it is

very

difficult to

ate,

often feen and reprefented under a variety of irregular,

of the outlines of the blebs,

though pleafmg forms, which are occafioned by the interfecuoqs as feen one over another.

duller in any part of the corona, protruding

carries a part

itfelf

onward

and outward in the growing feafon,*

out with
blea,
it.

of the circle

The
thus
is is

duller

itfelf is

a perfect piece of the

it

wood and
all

and the bark which follows

:

out in

it's

progrefs per feci ly

cl oaths it

the

firfl

protrufion of the fhoot made, but

this while there

no

pith.

The

continuation of growth
;

is

made

by the extenfion of all the parts obliquely upwards

of
this

in the courfe extenfion they hollow themfelves into a kind of cylinder,

this

of the form of the future branch, and by

difpofition a fmall

vacancy

is

made

in their center.
it

and

as

it

enlarges

This enlarges as they increafe, becomes filled with the exudation of thofe

bladders which remain and conflitute the pith, fed from the inner coat of the pith, which already begins to' form itfelf into a new corona. Grew feemed to think, that in fome inllances the pith was of pofterior growth to the other parts, and derived it's origin from the bark and that the infertioris of the bark
little
;

running
in

N
p. 99.

* Hill's Conftrudion of Timber,

674
in

<

Microscopical Essays,
in the center,

between the rays of the wood, meet

the
pith.

and

confti-

tute

Of the Sap Vessels.

The moll numerous and
be found
in the

the largeft apertures are generally to

diftinclly in

wood, which are perceived very

which the ends of the

tranfverfe lection, in

veflels are feen as

is

cut

through by the knife.

The

fcarlet

oak of America
them.
little

recommendof

ed 'as a proper

objecl: for exhibiting

If a fhort cylinder

a three years branch of this oak, a

macerated, be hollowed

away with a
is

chiflel,

we

fhall fee

what a

large portion of the

wood
it

occupied by thefe

veiTels

they are thick and ftrong, and

is

eafy,

with fome care and attention, to loofen feveral of them.

If a

number of

thefe, thus

feparated, be put into a vial

of

rain water, and frequently (hook for feveral days,

fome

will at

length be found perfectly clean, thefe are then to be put into

fpirit

of wine, and when that has been two or three times changed,

they will be in a condition to be viewed for undemanding their ftrufture another method of preparation has been already fliewn
;

in

page 162.

Thefe are the

air,

veffels

which have been

It
is,

called

by fome
air

writers

by others tracheal

veflels.

however, to be remarked,
v
fch, refer-

that moll of thole

who have

confidered them as
flate
;

us to the tree while in a

fay, that

more herbaceous

in

tins

cale they

we

{hall find thefe parts filled

with a line fpiral filament.

As

thefe veflels are often to

be found empty, they have been fup-

pofed to anfwer the purpofes of lungs to the plant.

a

Malphigi
affertSj,

Microscopical Essays.
afierts, that if

675

they are examined in winter, they often exhibit a vermicular motion, which aitoni flies the fpeclator.

Thofe who fuppofe the corona

of the
tree in miniature,
it

to contain the

whole flruclure

and that

it is

the

embryo of future moots,

each part, a fubje6l

fuppofe

to contain the veffels proper for

left

that mull be

to the decifion of future obfervers.

Of the Vasa Propria Intima.

Thefe are the only
veffels

which remain
;

to

be fpoken

of.

They
is

are large, confpicuous,

and important

their natural place

though they are fometimes repeated in the wood and the corona. Their coats are thicker than thofe of any other
in the blea,
veffels. *
It is

not

difficult, after

a fuccefsful maceration, to fepa;

rate

fome of thefe

veffels

from the blea

in this flate they appear

perfect, cylinders,

with thick white coats, of a firm, folid3 and

uniform texture.

It

has generally been fuppofed, that each of thofe concentric

circles,

which are
tree,

to be obferved in the tranfverfe

feclion

of

almoft every

was the product of one year, or the quantity

;

of wood added to the tree in that fpace

Hill differs again

here, however, Dr.

from the general opinion.

From what

has been faid

we may deduce

the following general

ideas relative to the organization of trees.

The moft

obvious

and remarkable parts of a plant, or

4
Hill's

tree, are

the root, the ffem,

2
83 and 85.

the

Conftru&ion of Timber,

p.

676

Microscopical Essays.
fruit.

the branches, the leaves, the flower, and the

The combecaufe the

ponent parts of thefe divifions are not complicated, they are

fimple
offices

when compared to

thofe of an animal,

and

this

of the vegetable are fewer than thofe of the animal.

The
fibres,

interior part

may be

confidered as confifting of lignous

interfperfed with a vail

number of

bladders, which are

here

named
;

the cellular \iffue,

the vafa propria,

and the lap

as

velfels
velfels.

though thefe are confidered by fome writers

mere

air

The

lignous fibres are very fine tubes, proceeding nearly in a

vertical direction

from the top to the bottom of the

tree

they

are fometimes parallel to

each other, fometimes they divaricate,

and often leave oblong intervals or Ipaces. There is great reafon The for fuppofing them to be a fpecies of lymphatic velfels.
vacant fpaces between thefe
fibres are filled

up by a

veficular
is

membrane,

lying in an horizontal direction, and which

called

in this chapter the cellular tifTue.

The

vafa propria are formed of lignous fibres, but differ from

fize,

and in the juices which they contain. In the part properly called the wood, we meet with the Tap velfels but as in fome Hates they feem as if they were formed of
the foregoing in their
;

a filver-coloured fpiral membrane, and are found without any

juices, they

have been fuppofed to be

arterial fyftem,

air velfels,

and called the

trachea,

making up an

and fupplying the place of

the heart in animals.

The

Plate .WIT

Microscopical Essays.
The
interior

677

pan of the

tree

may be

further confidered as

divided into four principal concentric

the wood, and the pith
:

ftrata,

the bark, the blea,

to thefe Dr. Kill has

added the corona.

Whatever part of a plant we examine, we find thefe and no more. The root it's afcending ftalk, and defccnding fibre, are
,

formed of one, and not three

whole vegetable
is

different

fub fiances.

Thus

the

reduced to one entire body.

And what

ap-

pears in the flower to be formed of altogether diflincl parts, will

be found to originate

in thefe.

The bark, which

into

is

the exterior covering of the tree,

is

divided

two

parts, a thin outer rind,

and a much thicker inner one.

more than a fine film of irregular mefbes, the inner one compofed of large blebs, leaving in fome It is fubjecls large vacant fpaces, which form it's vafa propria. made up of feveral flrata, laying one over the other.
to

The exterior onefeems

be

little

Next
is

to this

is

the blea,

which

is

of an uniform

ftruclure.

It

an imperfect wood, waiting only for the hand of time to be

brought to perfection.
flate

The

duration of the blea in this middle

tree,

depends on the internal powers and flrength of the

being fo

much

fhorter as this

is

more vigorous.
differs in

The wood,
fity

including the corona, comes next

it

den-

and

duration, both from the blea, the bark, and the

fibres.

wood.

It

is

made up of flrong
it

The

life

of the vegetable feems to

It

refide in

from

it all

the other parts are produced.

fhoots a

pith inwards,

and a blea and a bark outwards.

Every

678

Microscopical Essays.
tree

Every

may be

confidered as confiftmg of

numerou con-

centric ftrata, or

flakes,

forming

lb

many
is

cones, infcribed one

1 he mofl exterior contain the rudiments of the bark, the more interior thofe of the wood. In the germ they are gelatinous, by degrees
they become herbaceous, and in proceis of time
confiftency of wood.
it

within the other, and whofe

number

almoft indefinite.

afiumes the

Thus

the ftem, the root,

and the branch,

may be
which
tween

confidered as formed of a prodigious

number of concen-

tric vertical ftrata,

each compofed

different fafcieles of fibres,

fibres are

again formed of fmaller ones.

fibres, are filled up,

The

fpaces

be-

thefe,

and among the

interwoven with

and connected by the

are formed.

cellular tiflue,

of which the radial inferdons

The
fjy

ftrata

harden fucceffively one

is

after the
firft,

other
is

the moft

interior ftratum

that
is

which hardens

this

then covered
fo on.

another which

more

ductile

and herbaceous, and

From
length
as

the extenfion in breadth the tree acquires bulk, from that in

it

gains

it's

height.
;

The

ftrata

gradually diminiih in fize

figure of the root

they gain in length

from hence the conical

All the parts of

and ftem, and branch.

the

plant are the

fize..

fame, differing in nothing more than in fhape and

roots are {harp and pointed, that they
i

The

may make

their

way more

readily through the earth.

The

leaves are broad, that they

may

more

effectually catch

the moiflure from the atmofphere, &c.

is

When

the root of a tree

earth,
it

elevated above, inftead of being retain-

ed under the

a flumes the

appearance of a perfect plant,

tree

with leaves and branches.

Experiment (hews that a young

it's

may have
in the
air,

its

branches placed in the earth, and

in that inverted (late
it

roots elevated

and

will

continue to live and

grow.

YZ.A.TJF.

xxvnr

Microscopical Essays.
grow.

6/9
is

The

principal fource of the

phenomena of vegetation

the fimplicity and uniformity of their organization.

The

figures in Plate

XXVII. XXVIII. XXIX.

are portions of

tranfverfe feclions of trees and herbs.

The

feclions

were cut by

Mr. Cuftance, who

mains unrivalled

fir ft

brought

this

art to perfe&ion,

and

re-

as yet in thefe

performances.

Fig.
hills,

Plate XXVII. a piece of an herb growing on dungby the name of fat-hen it is one of the fpecies known and
;

of orach.
Portugal.

Fig.

a microfcopic view of the fame.

Fig. 3, a

magnified reprefentation of a fe&ion of a reed that

Fig. 4, the real fize of the fe&ion.

comes from

Fig.

i,

Plate

XXVIII. a magnified view of a

Fig. 3, a ditto of the hazel.

feclion of the

althea frutex.

Fig. 5, a ditto

from

a branch of the lime-tree.

Fig. 2, 4, 6, reprelent the

real fize

of

the feclions.

Plate

XXIX.

Fig.

1,

a magnified view of a feftion of

common

cane.
cane.*

Fig. 2, one of the

bamboo

cane.

Fig. 3,

one of fugar

Fig. 3, 4, 6, the real fize of the feclions.

H A

P.

68o

Microscopical Essays,

CHAR
j

X,

Of the Crystallization of Salts, as seen by the Microscope together with a concise List of
'

Objects.

Crystallization,
of natural
cryftal.

in general, fignifies

the natural

form-

ation of any fubftance into a regular figure, refembling that

Hence
of

the phrafes of cryftallized ores, crys-

tallized falts,

&c. and even the bafaltic rocks are

effects
this

now

generally
is

reckoned to be

operation

the term, however,

moft commonly applied to bodies of the falinekind; and their feparation in regular figures from the water, or other fluid in

which they were

diffolved,

is

called their cryftallization.

it's

If the
fenfe,

word
as
it

cryftallization

were to be confined to
it

moft proper

feems to have been formerly,

could only be applied to

operations by which certain fubftances are difpofed to pais from

a fluid to a folid

ftate,

by the union of

their parts,

which

fo

arrange themfelves,

that they

form tranfparent and regularlyfigured

Microscopical Essays.
figured mafles, like native cryftal
;

6Si

from which refemblance the

word

crystallization has evidently

been taken.* have much extended

of"

But modern chemifts and

expreffion,

naturalifts

this

and

it

now

lignifies
is

a regular arrangement

the

parts of any

body which

capable of it, whether the mafles fo

arranged be tranfparent or not.

minerals,

Thus opake

ft

ones, pyrites,

and

when

regularly formed, are faid to be cryftallized, as

well as tranfparent ftones

and

falts.

The

opacity and tranfparency of fubftances are juftly difre;

garded, in confidering whether they be cryftallized or not

for

thefe qualities are perfectly indifferent to the regular arrangement

of the integrant parts of fubftances, which

cryftallization.

is

the eflential objecl of

This being

eftabli fried,

cryftallization

may be

defined,

an

operation by which the integrant parts of a body, feparated from

each other by the interpofuion of a

again,

fluid, are

difpofed to unite
mafles.

and

to

form

folid,

regular,

and uniform

To

underftand as

much

as

we can of the mechanifm of cryftal-

lization,

we muft remark,

That the integrant parts of all bodies have a tendency to each other, by which they approach, unite, and adhere together, when not prevented by an obftacle.
i
.

2.

That

* Macquer's Di&ionary of Chemlftry, Art. Cryftallization.

g 2
2.

Kfl.C

ROSCOFIC AL Es SAYS',
tendency

That

in fimple or little-compounded bodies, this

is

of integrant parts

more obvious and

fenfible

than in others moredifpofed

to

compounded
cryftallize.

hence the former are

much more

3. .That.

integrant

we do not know the figure of the- primitive molecules of any body, we cannot doubt but that thofe
although
:

of every, different body have a conftantly uniform and peculiar

figure.

4.

That

thefe integrant parts cannot

have an equal tendency to

but by fome prefera-*

unite indifcriminately

by any of their
all

fides,

ably to others, excepting

the fides of an integrant part of

body be equal and fimilar;.and probably the fides, by which, they tend to unite, are thofe by which they can touch raoft extenfively

and immediately.

The mod

general

phenomena of
manner
to

cryftallization

may be con-

ceived in the following

Let a body be fuppofed

from each other by fome

have
;

it's

integrant parts feparated

fluid

if

a part of this fluid be taken

away, thefe integrant parts will approach together; and as the quantity of intervening fluid dimini flies, they will at' laft touch

and

unite.

They may

alfo unite

when they come

fliall

fo near to

each

other, that their

mutual tendency
If,

be capable of Overcoming

the diflance betwixt them.

liberty to unite with

befides, they
fides

have time and

this
;

each other by the

molt difpofed to

union, they
fimilar.

will

form mafles of a figure conftantly uniform and

fluid
is

For the fame reafon, when the interpofed

haftily,
taken:/;

'Microscopic ail E s s a y s
taken away, fo that the integrant parts
fhall

68 3
be approximated,

and be brought
fides as

into contacl before they

'

have taken the pofition by fuck

circum-

of their natural tendency, then they

will join confufedly

chance prefents to them.;

they

will,

in fuch

fiances,

form

folid maffes,

whofe

figures will not be determinate,

but irregular and various.

Different
are,

falts

affume different figures an cryflallization, and

eafily diftinguifhed

by

this

means,

from one another.

is

But

;befides the large cry Hals produced in this way, each fait

capable

>of

producing a very different appearance of the cry ftalline kind,

the faline folution
is

when only a drop of

cryftallization

made

ufe of,

and the
to

viewed through a microfcope.

For our know-

ledge of this fpecies of cryflallization

we

are indebted

Mr.

Henry Baker, who was

:gold

prefented by the Royal Society with a

medal

for the difcovery, in 'the year

1744.

Thefe micro-

scopical cry Hals he diflinguifhes from the larger ones by the

name
the

of configurations
diftinclion

but

this

term feems

inaccurate,

and

the the

may be properly preferved by calling the large ones common, and the fmall ones the microscopical cryflals of

fait.

It falts

has not yet been fhewn

by any writer on v the

lefs
itfelf.

fubjecl,

why

mould affume any regular figure, much

this,

why

every one

fhould have a form peculiar to

Sir Ifaac

Newton endeaof fait

to

voured to account for

diffufed

by fuppofing the
fluid,

particles

be

through the folvent

at equal

diftances

from each
in regular

other; and that then the power of the attraction between the
faline particles
figures, as

could not

fail

to bring

them together

foon as the diminution of heat fuffered them to act on

4

each

Ma
each other.*

Microscopical
But
it is

Essays..

certain

fome other agent

mud be

concernall

ed

in this operation befides

mere

attraction, otherwife

faks

would cry flail ize in the fame manner. Others have, therefore, had rccourfe to fome kind of polarity in the particles of each fait, which determined them to arrange themfelves in fuch a certain
form; but unlefs we give a reafon for
plain cryflallization
this polarity,

we only ex-

by

itfelf.

One

thing feems to have been,

to invefligate this
attract

overlooked by thofe
fubject,

who have endeavoured

faline particles

namely, that the

do not only

one

another, but they alfo attract

diffolves

fome part of the .water which,

them,

Did they only attract each other,, the fait, inflead of cryflallizing, would fall to the bottom as a powder whereas, a faline eryflal is compofed of fait and water, as certainly as the body of
;

an animal

is

compofed of flefh and blood, or a vegetable of folid

;

matter and fap

it

if

a faline eryflal

is

deprived of

it's

aqueous part^

will as certainly lofe its cryftalline

It
is,

form

as, if it

was deprived of

the faline part.

tion
is

therefore, not improbable, that cryftallizar

is accomplished by the fame powers to which the growth of plants and animals are to be.

a fpecies of vegetation, and

a (bribed.

Some kinds of cryflallization refemble vegetation fo much, that we can fcarce avoid attributing them to the fame-

caufe.

It

has been imagined, that

all

the great operations

in nature

may be

reduced to two principles, thofe of cryflallization and

;

organization

but that often they are fo concealed as to be invisible,.

* Encyclopedia Britannica,

p.

2329.

Pl.ATF.XXX.

Microscopical
vifible.

Essa.ys,

685

Hence

cryflallized fub (lances

have been often miflaken

efTen*

for organized ones,

tially in their

and vice

verfa.

They differ, however,

growth and
all

origin.

Organized beings fpring from

a germ, in

which

the eliential parts are concentrated, and

;

they grow by intufception

creafe

whereas cryflallized fubuances in-

by the

fucceflive appofiti-on of certain molecules,

of a de-

termined figure,
cryflallized beings

which

unite

in

one comnion
;

mafs..

Thus
their

do not grow, properly fpeaking

though

fubftance
daily.

is

augmented, they are not preformed, but formed

We have
falls for

already (hewn, page 163,

how to

prepare the various

microfcopical obfervations.

tions reprefented in PI.

XXX.

and

The beautiful cry utilizaXXXI. were produced- in the

manner

there defcribed.

Fig. 2, Plate

XXX.

fhews the microfcopical cryftals of

nitre.

Thefe fhoot from the edges with very little heat,

in flattifh figures.,
fides nearly,

of various lengths, and exceedingly tranfparent, the

parallel,

though rather jagged, and tapering to a point;

after a

number of thefe

are formed, they often diffolve under the eye,

in a little
afrefh.

and difappear entirely; but

out, and the procefs go

time new (hoots will pufh

on

Beautiful ramifications are

figures are to
is

formed round the edge, and many regular

ferved in different parts of the drop. drop.
Fig. 2

be ob-

the real fize of the

Fig. 3, Plate

XXX.

is

a drop of

diflillecl

verdigreafe, as
is

it

apin*

peared

when viewed by

the microfcope.

There

a difference

the-

-686

CROSCOf

Essays.

the appearance from this fubftance, according as the time of the

application
folution
is

nearer to or more diflant from that in which the

was made.

Fig.

of

XXXI. reprefents the microfcopical cryftals of fait wormwood. The fhootings from the edges of this folution are
1,

PI.

often very thick in proportion to their length, their fides full of

notches, the ends generally acute

alfo -to
figures.

many

fpear-Iike forms are

be obferved, as

well

as

little

cryftals

of a -variety of

Fig. 2, Plate
fait

XXXI.

the fait of amber.

The
is

fhootings of this

are highly entertaining, though the procefs

very flow

many

fpicula

moot from

the edge towards the middle of the folution,

fpicula, a great variety

and from the pointed ends of the

fified

of diver*

branches

may be
laft,

obferved, varioufly divided and fubdivided,

and forming at
out leaves.

fays

Mr. Baker, a winter fcene of trees with-

Salt

of hartihorn, Fig.

3,

Plate

XXXI.

This

fait

moots out

from the edge of the drop into

figures
;

folid, thick,

and rather opake

from

thefe

it

often moots into branches of a rugged ap-

pearance, fimilar to thofe of fome fpecies of coral.

Fig. 4, PI.

XXXI. reprefents the

eafily

configurations of fal
in the

ammoniac.
:

Thefe form a molt beautiful objecl

idea

microfcope

a general

may be more

formed, by

confidering the figure here

exhibited, than

by any verbal

defcriptioru

COM-

ZonJonJKsi&d &r fkPufifaTitt by GeefAdanu- A^fio Fleet StreetMa? 20 ^i/S/.

Microscopical Essays,
A"

687

concise List of Objects for

the Microscope.
mud, from
whole of the
their
;

The

fhort

lift

here preferred to the reader

the
ani-

nature of the

fubjecl:,

be very imperfect.

for the

mal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms, with

all

fub-divifions, furnifti objects for the microfcope

numerous and there is

not one of them that, when properly examined, will not afford
inftruction

and entertainment to the

rational inveftigator of the

works of creation,

The Syftema

Naturae of

Linnaeus

may

therefore be conhdered as a catalogue of univerfals for micro-

fcopic obfervation, each of which involves a variety of particulars.

The

lift

here given can be conhdered as

little

more than a

directory, to point out to thofe

this part

who have only begun to ftudy

their beauties,

of natural hiftory, a few of thofe objects which merit-

their attention,

and which, from

may

incite

them

to purfue the ftudy with greater ardor,

" Thofe who rightly confider natural

things, will find

them a

Ihadow of heavenly
and
all

things, a fchool in

which
and

God

is

the teacher,

the objects of 4enfe in heaven

earth,

and under the

which
all

earth, are as the letters of an univerfal language, in

nations have a
this ufe

common

intereft,

The
it,

Creator himfelf has

made
it

of it, revealing his

will

by

and referring man to

for

inftruction.

From hence
Hence,

the univerfal agreement between nature

alfo,

and

revelation.

he that can underftand

God

as

the fountain of truth, and the Saviour of

tures, will

men

in the holy fcrip-

be better difpofed to underftand and adore

Him

as the

fountain of power and goodnefs in the natural creation.

loever

WhercfaiUiiul

we go
4.

in divinity, the true philofophy will follow us as a

.

688
faithful

Micros cop cax Essays.

i

wknefs, and

mew that the

world was made,

;

as the fcrip-

tures were written, for our inftru&ion

and
it

find the creation

5

of

God

is

the fchool of chriftians, if they ufe

aright.

'*

Of Opake Objects.
Ores and minerals afford an immenfe variety of very beautiful

and fplendid
felecl the

objects.

From amongft

thefe the

obferver

may

peacock, or coloured copper ore,

green cryfiallized

ditto, lead ore, cryfiallized ditto, cryflals

of lead, fmall grained

native fulphur,

marcafites, coloured mundic, cinnabar,

needle

and other antimony, mofs copper, &c.

mixture of fmall

pieces of ores, Sec. of different kinds, produces a pleafmg effecl.

Sands, in general, exhibit fomething not difcoverable with the

naked eye.
minute

Sand from the fea-fhore

particularly that

is

often intermixed with

in Italy.

(hells,

from Rimini,

Mr.
(hells

Walker has publifhed a fpecimen of the fmall microfcopic which are found on our own coaft. From this work we
that there
are fhell-fifh as

learn,

fmall as

the minuteft infects, and

till

poHejOfed of beauties, of

which we can form no conception

is

we

have feen them. Mr. Walker's work

-entitled,

"

A Collection of
The

the minute and rare Shells found on the Sea-more near Sand-

wich."

T here

is

a fand from Africa

is

full

of fmall garnets.
;

ketton, or kettering Hone,

a pleafing object
it

when examined
balls,

by the microfcope, we

find the grain of

very different from that

of other flones, being compofed of innumerable minute

'which barely touch ea*h other, and yet form a fubflance

much
harder

* Jjuj'

Lectures on the Figurative 'Language of the Holy Scriptures.

Microscopical Essays.
liarder than
free-flone;

the grains

are, in

general, fo firmly
it is

united together at the points of contact, that

to
feparate

hardly poflible
grains.

them without breaking one or both of the

See Hooke's Micrographia.

objects
{hall

Insects of all kinds, both foreign and domeftic, are pleafing but as the foreign ones are not fb eafily met with, I
;

mention but a few of them, confining myfelf principally to thofe of this country. Among the exotic infecls none appear more
beautiful in the microfcope than the curculio imperialis, Brazil,

or diamond beetle

the bupreftis

ignita,

a large beetle from

China;
(hops
;

the meloe veficatorius,

blifter-fly,.

or cantharis of the

feveral fpecies of locufts, grafshoppers,

&c.

Among the

Englifh beetles

we may reckon

the fcarabaeus auratus, or rofe

chaffer, fcarabaeus nobilis, fcarabasus horticola, filpha aquatica,

caffida nobilis

and nebulofa.

Coccinella, or lady-cow

of thefe

there are great variety, both in fize and colours,

black, others black and red,

fome red and

Chry-

and fome yellow and black.

fomela,

graminis-faftuofa, nitidula, fericea,

melanopa, afparagi,

vide Plate

XX.

Fig. 2.

Curculio-frumentarius, lapathi, betuta,

little
;

nucumi

fcrophularia, argenteus, a beautiful

infecl:

refem-

bling the

diamond

beetle,

but in miniature
this country.

curculio albinus,

very beautiful, but fcarce in

Leptura aquatica,

thefe are of various colours, as blue, purple, bronze,

fon.
beetle.

and crim-

Arcuata

ariclis,

very common, and

is

often called the wafp

Cicendela campeftris, on dry banks.

in Yorkfiiire, a beautiful infecl:,

Carabus nitens,
Grylgrafs-

fcund

many
this

fmall carabi.

lus, gryllo

talpa, or

mole cricket

infecl:,

and the

hoppers, are

many of them

too large to be obferved.at one view,

feet, elytra,

but the head, fore and hind

Sec.

viewed feparately,
are-

690

Microscopical Essays.
Cicada,
fanguinolenta, nervofa,
interruptaj.

are fine objecls..

notone&a
rea,
field

head and claws of the nepa cine* or water- fcorpion, and, the whole variety of ci nieces, of
ftnata, minutiffima,

bugs.

The wings of

butterflies
is

and moths, the chry falls of

fine.

'

the

common white
wifh
it

butterfly,

extremely

were in
of thefe

my

power

to invite the reader to confider the

pupa

ftate

infecls, as

he would find them interefting

in

various points of view-.

Perhaps the following paftage from an,

this effeci.

ingenious writer

may

have

worms upon the earth, like ourfelves they then retire into a coverings which anfwers the end of a coffin, or a fepulchre, wherein they are invifibly transformed, and come forth in glorious array, with wings and painted plumes, more like the inhabitants of the hea;

"

Some of tliefe

creatures crawl for a

time as helplefs

vens than fuch worms as they were in their former ftate. This trans-

formation

is

fo ftriking

and pleafant an emblem of the

their dead,

prefent, in-

termediate, and glorified ftate of man, that people of the moft re-

mote
clofed
to

antiquity,

when they buried

artificial

embalmed and
and

in-

them

in

an

covering, fo figured and painted, as

;

referable

the caterpillar in the intermediate ftate

fir ft

as

Jofeph was the

we

read of that was embalmed in Egypt',

it

where

this

cuftom

prevailed,

was

probably

of Hebrew

original."

The
many

eggs of moths and butterflies, particularly the phalaena

neuftria, vide Plate

libellulse.

X,

Fig,

to 5.

The

bodies and heads

of

Many,

Microscopical Essays,
Many
or
flies

of the ichneumon

flies,

fpheges and wafps, head of the

hornet, fling of ditto, collectors of the bee,

many

forts

of mufca^

with two wings, efpecially thofe whofe bodies are highly

;

coloured

acari,
1

or ticks
6.

phalangium cancroides, vide Plate

fpiders,

XVIII.

Fig.

and

Some

but the eyes of

all

the

dnifcus or

wood

loufe, julus,

and fcolopendree.

The feathers of peacocks, and many other birds, have a grand effect when viewed in the opake microfcope, as have alfo fome Madrepores, fpecies of ferns, moffes, and wood cut tranfverfely.
millepores, fponges, corralines, &c. exhibit wonderful appear-

ances, not difcernible to the

eggs, fpines of ditto
their conft.ruct.ion.
;

naked eye.
alfo

Parts of echini or fea

thefe

may

be cut tranfverfely, to fhew

of

Minute

fhells differed, fkin

fifh,

many
2.

fpecies

of fifh, particularly the lump

Plate XVIII. Fig.

Soal,

and the rafp

guanas,
feeds.
Sec.

fifh

from Otaheite,

alfo the fkins

of fnakes, lizards,

Sec.

An

endlefs

variety

will

be difcovered in*

The
rality

exterior form, and even the internal ftruclure of the gene-

of vegetable feeds, have been fuppofed by fome fo

much
in
;

alike in the feveral kinds,

and of fo

little

curiofity

and beauty

the whole, that they have fcarcely been regarded

by the curious

but when

nearly examined, with the help of microfcopes, they

are found to be

pear moft like

worthy of a greater attention ; thofe which apto one another, when viewed by the naked eye,

often proving as different

when

thus examined, in their feveral

forms and characters,

as the different

genera pf any other bodies

all this

of the creation.

If their external forms carry

variety

and

beauty

692

Microscopical Essays.

beauty about them, their internal ftru&ure, when laid open by different feclions, appears yet more admirable.

The

feed of the
;

mufk fcabrous

is

amazing

in its

mape

and!

ilruclure

it
;

refembles in figure an oclagonal vafe, with a fcalthe whole

is

loped brim

bell-fafnioned^ having ribs or divifions*

which run down from the mouth of the vafe, and thence becoming narrower, form the bottom. Between thefe ribs, down to the beginning of the narrow part, it is clear, though not wholly tranfparent, and from thence to the bottom the ribs are
hairy.

This vafe contains a feed, which

is

like a peftle (landing

cafe,

in a mortar.

The

peftle ftands loofe in

an oftagonal

but

the narrownefs of the

mouth of this

vafe hinders the peftle's being

is

drawn

out, becaufe

it's

extremity within

rounded, and thicker

arife

than any other part of it.

From

it's

upper end there

five

fpiculated areftse, or awns, whofe

little

thorns are directed up-

wards, and are thereby prepared to caufe the feed to recede from

any thing that might injure

it
is

on being touched.
of a
fine

The

bafon,

from which

thefe ariftse arife,

green colour, and they

are of an elegant mining

brown.

The

feed of the great maple,

which we commonly, but im-

.call the fycamore tree, confifts of a pod and it's wing; two of thefe grow upon a pedicle, with the pods together, which, makes them refembk the body of an infeft with it's expanded

properly,

wings

the wings are finely vafculated, and the pods are

filk
:

winged
round

with a fine white down, refembling

this

contains a

compact
clofely to

pellet,
it.

covered with a brown membrane, that

this
is

flicks veryr
a*..

When

pulled

off.

inftead of difcerning

kernel y

Microscopical Essays.
kernel, as in other feeds, there appears

693

an

entire green plant,

folded up in a

mod furprizing

manner.

The

pedicle of this

is

about two-eighths of an inch long, and it's feminal leaves of about pair of fix-eighths each; between thefe the germina of the next microfcope leaves are plainly vifible to the naked eye, but with a
they are feen with the greateft beauty and perfection. Thefe, and a number of fuch other beauties in this part of the creation, are
defcribed at large by Dr. Paribus,
in his

work

entitled,

"A

Microfcopic Theatre of Seeds." Moft kinds of feeds mould be prepared for a microfcopical examination, by fteeping them in

warm water till their coats are feparated, and their feminal leaves may then be opened without laceration. But feeds, while dry,
and without any preparation, are of an almoft infinite variety of (hape, and afford a number of pleafmg objecls for the microfcope.

Transparent. Objects..

We may
many
baeus

fele& from the elytra, or upper wings of beetles,, beautiful obje&s;.-the conftru&ion- of thefe will be found

to differ very

much
all

the membranaceous wings, as in the fcarablatta

folltitialis,

or fmall cock-chaffer;
grylli; as locufts,

americana,

01

cock-roach;

the

grafshoppers, &c.

Among.

the cicadas, the elytra of the nervofa are the moft elegant, the

nerves are elevated, and curioufly fpotted with brown..

elytra of the cimeces, or field bugs,

The
thefe,

which are a very numerous

;

tribe, afford a great variety of objects

we may

fefecl

from

as the

moft beautiful, the elytra of the cimex baccarum,

flriatus,.

Plate

XX.

Fig. 'l

The

elytra of the fulgora candelaria, from.

China,

differs eiTentialiy

from

all others.,
;
<

..

Xh^

Microscopical Essays,
The
under, or

attention

more tranfp.arent wings of beetles excite out even more than the upper, or cruftaceous ones; for
of them are calculated to fuftain in the air, or manner in which they fold them up under the no their mechanifm muft aftonifh and delight us
;

whether we confider the delicacy of their texture, the great

weight that

many

the very curious

upper

cafe,

two genera
fame genus
Plate

will
will

be found
be exacl
is
;

alike,

though every individual of the

the wing of the forficula, or earwig,

XIX.
;

Fig. l,

an elegant fpecimen of the manner of their

folding

this .wing folds

under a cafe not one-eighth of it's

fize.

The under wing of

moft kitchens, appears

the blatta orientalis, a beetle

to unite the elytra

common

in

and tranfparent wings,

partaking in fome degree of both.

Among

the membranaceous or
is

more tranfparent-winged
difTering effentially

in-

fers, the variety

end lefs, each genus

full

from

the other, fome appearing

of membranes, or nerves, curioufly

a clear piece of
points,

difpofe'd; others, again, with icarce any, like

talc,

Or ifmglafs

fome exhibit a curious ground-work of

fcales,

which, on clofe examination, prove fhort hairs, while the nerves

of others are furnifhed with

fpecies of the gnat.

little

or feathers, as in

fome

The wings of many

mufcae are coloured

ftripes,

with black, brown, and white, in clouds, fpots,

&c. &c.

The

libellulae,

or dragon-flies, alone afford a great variety, not

all furnitlied

only in form, but colour; thefe are

with numerous
their flight

and very ftrong nerves, adapted to the velocity of

the wings of the ephemera, or

May

flies,

are

much more

delicate,

thefe

Microscopical Essays.
thefe
files reft

with their wings erect.

The phryganeae
;

differ

very

much
wings

from the foregoing, and alfo from one another

fold,

their

under

of them fo
tinguiftied

and the upper ones are of a ftronger texture, many much reiembling frnall moths as not eafily to be dii:

from them
places.

thefe are all

found in the

vicinity

of ponds

or marfhy

In the hemerobii a wonderful degree of ele-

gance

is

exhibited in the difpofition of the nerves, which compofe

their wings,

each nerve, being adorned with hair

in a beautiful

manner

there are
is

many

fpecies of thefe
1.

flies

equally beautiful, a

fpecimen

given in plate XIII. Fig.

The ichneumon fly

more

has

four tranfparent wings, the inferior ones fmaller, and

cate than the
depofits
it's
;

deli-

fuperior
is

the tube

through which the female

eggs,

an additional object well worth attention*

The

wings of wafps are folded longitudinally, the wings of the

.

large bee are very curious*

Gnats

in

general, and the various

fpecies of tipulae, together with the clouded

and variegated wings

of the mufcae, tabani,

&c v
;

increafe Jihe catalogue

is

beyond the
its-

power of enumeration
particular beauties,

in fhort, there

not a wing but has

The current

fphinx

and will amply repay the attentive obferver. moth connects the tranfparent and farinaceous

wings partaking of both, and the white plumed, .and

many plumed

moths, exhibit wings totally different from

all

the reft; man)?

other fmali moths furnifh wings fufficiently tranfparent for obfervation, the fringe or edges being remarkably beautiful.

Many

fmall infects that are not too opake,

as tranfparent

examined

obje&s

as

may be viewed and fome of thefe have been par-

by the early microfcopic writers, it will be hecef-. fary to give fome account of them, as without it the work might be .deemed, incomplete. Every one is acquainted with the agihty,
ticularly noticed

and

M
and blood
it

RO S CO PICA h Essay

s,

tliirfty

difpofition of the flea, of the caution with

which
avoids

comes

to the
It

attack,

and the readinefs with which

clafs

it

purfuit.

belongs to the

aptera, has

two eyes,

fix feet,

particularly conflrutled for leaping, the feelers are filiform, the

roilrnm
is

is

inflected, fetaceous,

comprefled.

and armed with a fling the belly This creature is produced from eggs, which they
;

depofit on the animals that afford

them food, or

affix

them

to the

wool of blankets, rugs,

fubflance

&c. of thefe eggs are hatched white

worms,- which adhere clofely to the body of the animal, or other

on which they are produced in a fortnight they come to a tolerable fize, and are very lively and active; but if they After are touched at this time, they roll themfelves up in a ball.
;

about eleven days from the time of their being hatched, they feek
a place to hide iru and
if

viewed by a microfcope,-will be found

ftate,

weaving a covering or bag, in which they affume the pupa

where they continue from nine days to a fortnight, when having acquired fufficient flrength, they burft from their confinement, perfectly formed,, and armed with powers to djfturb the peace of
an emperor.

The

flea
:

when examined by
it is

the microfcope

is

not an unplea*
it

fing object

difficult,

however, to obtain fuch a view of

as

will difplay the mechanifm and apparatus belonging to the head.

Thefe parts are but imperfectly reprefented

drawing of Dr. Hooke.

in the celebrated

The neck
of a lob Iter
;

is

long, finely arched, and

much refembles
with a
fuit

the

tail

the

body

is

covered

all

over

of fable armour, formed

of a hard Ihelly fubflance,

curioufly jointed and folded over one another, and yet yielding
to all the

nimble motion of the

little

animal

the edges of the

:

fcales are curioufly fet with fhort fpikes

or hairs

it

has

two

Microscopical Essays.
fharp eyes to look before
it

%7
it's

leaps, for

which purpofe
leaps, fpring
is

legs are
it

excellently adapted, for the joints are fo conftru&ed that

fold
at

can

them up as it were, and when it once, whereby it's whole ftrength

it's

them out all exerted, and the body

diameter
;

often raifed two hundred times

veral joints in the legs
;

own

there are fe-

they are alfo very hairy, and terminated

;

by two long hookod (harp claws

view, the other four join
all at

the two fore legs are placed

very near the neck, and often conceal the probofcis from our
the breaft
:

the flexure of the

:

two

fore ones

is

contrary to that of the hinder ones

the pro-

bofcis, or fucker,

witrTwhich

it

penetrates the fkin,

eafily feen,

is

placed at

the end
legs are

of the fnout,
firft

and
;

is

not

except the two fore

removed

in

it

are included a couple of darts or

lancets, which, after the probofcis has

made an

entrance, are

thruft farther into the flefh,

and make the blood flow from the

adjacent parts, and occalion that round red fpot, with a hole in

the center of

it,

called a flea bite.

The bed bug

is

another naufeous

infect,

" that intrudes

upon

the peace of mankind, and often banifhes that fleep which even

anxiety and forrow permitted to approach

the night

is

the fea-

fon

when
:

the bed

bug

iflues

from

it's

retreat to

make

it's

depre-

dations

by day

it

lurks in the moft fecret parts of the bed, takes

the advantage of every chink and cranny to

make

a fecure lodgeart,

ment, and contrives

it's

habitation with fo
it's

much

that fcarce

any induftry can difcover

fecurity,
it

retreat

but when darknefs promifes

from every corner of the bed, drops from the teller, and crawls from behind the arras, and travels to the unhappy patient, who vainly wilhes for reft and refrefhment."
then
iflues

Thefe

Microscopical Essays.
Thefe
infects are as difagreeable

from

their naufeous flench, as

their unceafing appetites.

Linnaeus thinks

that they are

not

originally of

European growth, but were imported, from fome It has two brown fmall prominent eyes, twoother country. antennae, and a crooked probofcis, which lies clofe under the
breaft.

Inftead of wings,
pieces

two
fides.

flat

which

Thefe

plates,

firft ring of the belly, and extend towards the the trunk and the head, are amply fet with

we

find

on the
it,

entirely cover

hairs.

The

probofcis

is

divided tranfverfely into four parts, which

;

are probably fo

many
is

articulations
It

this piece

is

beft feen

on the

underfide of the bug.

joints
;

the {kin

has fix legs, each of which has three chagrined, and the feparation of the rings

marked by a fmooth filming band. On the belly, at a fmall diltance from the edge, you may perceive a fet of circular thefe are the fpiracula. fpots, two on each ring, except the laft
ufually
;

Examined
terlines.
it's

internally

we
it

find one large artery, a flomach,

and

in-

The

inflant

perceives the light

fails

it

endeavours to
it's

gain:

habitation,

and feldom

in

making good

retreat.

Of the

Ioufe.

Various as are the antipathies of mankind,

their diilike to this

all

feem to unite in
their natural
nefs, difeafe,

animal,,

and

to regard

it

as

and mofl naufeous enemy.

and hunger,
feize

"

Whenever wretchedfails to*

upon man,

the Ioufe feldom

add

itfelf to

the tribe, and to inereafe in proportion, to the number:

of his calamities."

When
deformity

the
fills

human

Ioufe

is

examined by the microfcope,

In the head

its.

us with difgufl.

we may
:

diftinguifb

two

fine

black eyes, near this are the two antennae

is

the fore pars

of the head

rather long, the hinder

more obtufe or rounder

there

; ;

Microscopical Essays.
there
is

$99.

a fmall part that proje&s from the nofe or fnout, this

ferves as a fheath or cafe to the probofcis,

thrufts into the (kin to

which the creature

in the

draw out the blood and humours which

it

are

it's

deftined food, for

has no

mouth which opens

common

way.

This probofcis has been eftimated to be feven hundred times

fmaller than a hair, and
firft, is

contained in another cafe within the

:

and can be drawn

in or thru ft out at pleafure

the Akin

is

hard and tranfparent.

each of which

From
ufes as

the under fide proceed fix legs,

has five joints,

it

hooked
the

claws, thefe

and terminates in two unequal we would a thumb and finger

all

there are hairs between the claws, as well as

over the legs

body

finifhes in

a cloven
hairs.

tail,

which

is

gerierally covered,

and

partly concealed

by

From
and

the extreme tranfparency of

it's

fkin,

many t>f it's

guts.

inter-

nal parts

may be

feen, as the various ramifications

periftaltic
is

of the veins

arteries,

and the

motion of the

When

the

loufe feeds, the

blood

feen to
is

rum

like a torrent into the

ftomach, and

it's

greedinefs
is

fo great, that the

excrement con-

tained in the interlines

for this

ejected at the
is

fame time, to make room

new

fupply.

There

fcarce

any animal that multiplies

fo faft as this

unwelcome
it

intruder, the

moment

it

is

excluded

from the egg

It

begins to breed.

would be
reader

endlefs to defcribe the various creatures

lice,

which go

under the name of

and fwarm upon

for a

every part of nature.

The

who wimes

more
4

particular account of thofe

Q2

which

700
which

Microscopical Essays,
infeft various animals,

would do well

to look into Rhedi's

Treatife de Generatione Infe61orum.

The

fpider

is

another infect which

certainly affords

is

often

examined by the

microfcope, and

much

matter for obfervation.

" Formed for a

blood,
all
it's

life

of rapacity, and incapable of living but by

habits are calculated to deceive

it's

and furprize

it

fp reads toils to entangle

expect
it

it's

coming, and

is

endued with patience to poffeffed of arms and ftrength to deftroy

prey
;

it

is

when
a
m

fallen into the fnare.

Xo

heedlefs
;

flies

the

window proves
and
fierce,

conftant death

where, gloomily retired,

The villian

fpider lives, cunning

;

Mixture abhorr'd

Of carcafes,

in
all"

amid a mangled heap eager watch he fits,

waving fnares
around'.
oft

O erlooking
Near the

his

dire cell the dreadlefs

wanderer

Palfes, as oft the ruffian

fhews his front

The prey
And,

at laft enfnar'd,

he dreadful

darts.
;

With rapid
Strikes

glide along the leaning line

fixing in the wretch his cruel fangs,

backward grimly

pleas'd

the flutt'ring
diftrefs,

wing

And And

fhriller

found declare extreme

afk the helping hofpitable hand/'

The eyes of the

viewed either

fpider are a very beautiful microfcopic object,

as tranfparent or

opake

they have generally eight,

two on the top of the head,

in the front,

that look directly

upwards

two

little

below the foregoing, to difcover what

palfes

Ml CROSCOPIC AL Essays.
paffes before
it
;

and on each
round

fide a

couple more, one whereof

;

points fideways forward, the other fideways backward

fo that it

can fee almoft

all

it.

They

are immoveable,

and feem to

be formed of a hard, tranfparent, horny fubftance. The number of eyes is not the fame in all the fpecies of the fpider. They

have eight

legs,

with fix joints, thickly befet with hairs, and

ter-

minating in two crooked moveable claws, which have little teeth at a fmall diftance from thefe claws, but placed highlike a faw er up, is another, fomewhat like a cock's fpur, by the affiftance of
;

which
feizes

it

adheres to
kills it's

it's

webs;

but the weapon wherewith

it

and

prey

is

a pair of (harp crooked claws, or for-

ceps, placed in the fore-part of the head.

extend thefe pincers as occafion

they fufTer them to
fays,
lie

They can open or may require when undifturbed,

;

one upon

another.

Mr. Leeuwenhoeck
flita

that each of thefe claws

has a fmall aperture, or

is

through which he fuppofes a poifonous juice

injecled into the

wound it makes*
The
ceps^

exuvia of the fpider, which

is

may be found
;

in

cobwebss

being tranfparent,

an excellent object

and the

fangs, or for-

may

be

eafier feparated

from

it,

and examined with more

contexture of the fpider's

exaclnefs than in a living fpider.

The

web, and their manner of weaving them, have been difcovered by the microfcope. The fpider is fup plied with a large quantity of
glutinous matter within
it's

body, and

five dugs,

or

teats, for

fpinning

it

into

thread.

This

fubftance,

when examined

accurately, will be found twifted into

t

colour, and which,

into threads.
tail
;

from

it's

tenacity,

many coils, of an agate may be eafily drawn out

;

The

five teats are

placed near the extremity of the

.

from thefe the aforefaid fubftance proceeds

it

adheres to

any

yo2
any thing
air.
it is

Microscopical Essays.
prefled againft,

and being drawn out, hardens

drawn.

in the

The

fpider can contract or dilate at pleafure the orifices

is

through which the thread

The

threads

unite at a

fmall diflance from the body, fo that thofe which appear to us fo

fine

and

(ingle, are notwithstanding

compofed of

five

joined to-

gether, and thefe are

many

times doubled

when

the

web

is

in

formation.

The

gnat

is

a beautiful objecl; for the microfcope.

We

have

already noticed the curious manner in which they difpofe their

eggs upon the furface of the water.

turity, fink deeper.

Thefe, as they

There

is

no
:

fpecies of infect

come to mamore trouble-

mankind than the gnat others give more pain with their it is only by accident we are flung by them but the us in whole and follow companies for gnats third for our blood, There are many marmy places in our country, where the it. legs and arms of the inhabitants are kept fwelled all the fummer
fome
to
flings,

but

by the
which

biting

of thefe

infects

in

many
life,

other countries they are

yet more troublefome than with us.

pafs through
;

It is

one of thofe

infects

two

ftates

of

feemingly quite oppofedto

in the water like fifh, in
air.

each other

in

one condition fwimming

the other becoming like the birds, inhabitants of the

From

the egg proceeds the larva, in which

ftate it

is

moft
for a

happily fuited to

(hew the feveral operations of

life;

moderate magnifying power will difcover what paffes within it's tranfparent body. It has a large fcaly head, with two large antennas, befides feveral hairy parts,

and

articulated
If the

briftles

near
dif-

the mouth, which are in continual motion.

worm be

fered, the feet of the gnat

may

be found folded up in the

divifions

Microscopical Essays.
divifions of the thorax
;

703

the

abdomen

is

divided into eight rings,

from the edges of each of which three or four briftles proceed.

The

tail is

divided into two parts, of very different forms

by
dis-

one of thefe it cover two pulmonary tubes, through which the infe6l breathes. The larva has a power of moiftening the tail with an oleaginous
fteer itfelf

can

any way,

in the other

we may

liquor,

by which means

it

can fufpend

itfelf

on the furface of the

to
tail.

water.

On

agitating the water, the

worms defcend with precipe

is

tation to the

bottom

but they foon return to the furface,

breathe the air through the tube that

annexed to

their

They pafs from this ftate into that of the pupa, which is the gnat inclofed in a thin fkin, under which it is formed and ftrengthened,
the organs of refpiration are changed,

breathing in this ftate

through a couple of horns,

which are placed near the head, keeping itfelf rolled upon the furface of the water, though on, the leaft motion it defcends, unrolling itfelf, aided by the oars near,
ihe taiL

From
ftrufture

the fpoils of the pupa, a

is

little

winged

infee! proceeds,,

whofe every part

is

afHve to the

laft

degree, and whole

It's

whole

thejuft objeft of our admiration.

is

head, adorned

with feathers,

a fine microfcopic objea

but the probofcis

may

be deemed
ation.

one of the molt curious inftruments in the infect creof a fealy (heath
is
;

It confifts

at

about two-thirds from the

it

end of

this

there

an aperture, through which

is,

darts

four

pieces; one of thefe the others

lie

however, no more than the cafe in which,

concealed*.

^04

Microscopical Essays.
probofcis of the gnatconfifts of a great
all
it

The

number of ex;

tremely delicate pieces,

concurring to one purpofe

ftrikes the flefli,

this

is

the inftrument with which

and fucks the blood

is

of animal bodies.
fheath,

The

only part exhibited to the naked eye

all

the

lindric tube,

which contains which is flit

it

the other pieces.

in fuch a

The
lefs

flieath

is

a cy-

manner, that the

it

infe6t

can

feparate
as

from the
is

dart,

and bend
of

more or

in

proportion
tube the

the dart
is

plunged into the wound;

From

this

fling

darted,

which

confifts
;

five

or fix blades or lancets,

are fliarpened like a two-

lying one over the other

fome of thefe

edged fword, while others are barbed, and have a vaft number of When this bundle of blades is introduced into a cutting teeth.
vein, the

blood

rifes

up the blades
it's

as fo

many

capillary tubes.

The moment
drops of a
fluid

the gnat lances

dart into the flefh,

it

fluid are
is

infmuated by

into the

two or three wound. It is this

which

fuppofed to caufe thofe infupportable itchings that

flung by this
little

we feel when
Plate

creature.

XVI.

Fig. tB
it

is

the probofcis, or that apparatus of a

tabanus with which

nouriflies itfelf

pierces the flan of horfes

and oxen, and

with their blood,

The Angular and compound

flxu&ure, together with the admirable form andrexquifite beauty

of this apparatus, difcovers fuch a view of the wifdom, power*

and greatnefs of it's

infinite

compofer, as mull

flrike

with admi-

ration every contemplative obferver, and lead

him
all

to reflect

on

the weaknefs, impotence, and nothingnefs of

nifm,

human mechaand inimitable

this

when compared with

is

the

immenfe

ftdll

finifliing

difplayed in the fubjecl; before us.

The whole of

formidable apparatus

compofed of

fix parts, (exclufive

of the

two guards, or

feelers, a a,) all

of which are inclofed

in a flefhy

cafe5

Microscopical Essays,
cafe,

705
it

which

in the

figure

is

totally

removed, as

contained

nothing remarkably different from that of other

wings.
,

infects

with two
or
flelhy

The guards
head by a

or feelers, a a, are of a fpungy

{hort hairs
;

fubftance,
to the

and are grey, covered with

little

they are united

this

joint of the

fame texture, which in

view of the object could not be {hewn.

Thefe guards are a de-

fence to the other parts of the apparatus, as they are laid

it

upon

fide

ferve

it

by fide whenever the animal flings, and by that means prefrom external injury. The two lancets, b b and B, evilike the

dently open the wound, and are of a delicate and tender ftru&ure,

formed

differing knife of the anatomift, with a {harp

point and {lender edge, but gradually increafing to the back.

and C, appear as enlarge the wound, by irritating the parts round

ftiaped inftruments, c c
plilh

The two

if
it
;

intended to
to accom-

which, they

are

jagged,

or toothed

they

may

alfo

ferve, from their hard and horny texture, to defend the tube

e E, which

is
it

of a fofter nature, and tubular, to admit the blood,

to the ftomach
entirely
;

and convey
cafe,

this delicate part is inclofed in

it.

d D, which

covers

Thefe parts are drawn

it is

feparately at B, C,

D, E.

De Geer

obferves, that
;

only the
declares,

females that fuck the blood of animals

that having

and Reaumur

peared to

made one difgorge itfelf, the blood it threw up aphim to be more than the whole body of the infect could

have contained.

The

exuvia, or caff {kin of infects, being exceedingly tranfc

parent, are well adapted for obfervation, as they exhibit the out-

ward appearance of the

thofe of fpiders

little

animal

among thefe we may reckon

forficula, or
infects

and cimeces, but particularly the

an elegant exuvia.
4

earwig, which

is

The

flings

of

vary
not

no(y

Microscopical Essays.
;

not only in their form, but alfo in their apparatus

inclofed in a hard fheath, or cafe, to which
feelers.

mod of* them

require diffettion, as the flings (for they have generally two) are
is

added a pair of

The

flings
is

of bees, wafps, &c. are barbed, while that

of the^hryfis

ferrated, or

notched

like

a faw..

The head of

infecls

is

furnifhed with an inftrurnent, or pr^

bofcis, various as

the

infects themfelves,

but

all

deferving the

utmofl attention, being admirably adapted to their different ufes

and purpofes.
flea, gnats,

Among

the mofl remarkable are the bed

bug r

lar

empis, conops, &c. to which we may add the Anguone of the tabanus, which we have juft now defcribed* Wc
fully defcribed the bee's apparatus,,

have alfo fo
is

page 362, that

it-

unneceffary to enlarge

on

it

here.,

The

antennae of moths, butterflies, and mofl: other- infecls,

their formation as they are endlefs in;

difplay as great beauty in

their variety
;

the diftinguifhing characters of

many of them have

been defcribed, page 175; and that of the lepas antifera in particular, page 359.

The
is

eyes of infecls are Angularly contracted, but this.ftruclure

afli fiance

not difcoverable without the

of the microfcope

the

eyes

while thofe of lobfters are fquare, as

Fi g- 5:

of the libellula are hexagonal, vide Plate XVI. Fig. 3 may be feen Plate XVI..

Hair of animals,
ties

as the

moufe, goat, large bee, and

many

fpe-

of

caterpillar, particularly the tufts

on the head and

tail

of

the larva of the phalaena antiqua,

offer

many

beauties to the
curious,

Microscopical Essays.
curious obferver.
tubular,

707

The

briftles
is

of a hog, cut tranfverfely, appear

evidently bulbous.

and the root of hair

The mufcular fibres, and

will meet with

every anatomical preparation that can

;

be brought under the microfcope, are pleafing objects

the reader

many

curious and interefting obfervations

on the
in

hairs, the mufcles, nerves,

and other parts of the human body,

Fontana's Treatife on the

Venom of Vipers,
much

printed for Murray.

The

legs of all infe&s appear very

diverfified,

and

their

mechanifm truly

aftonifhing, according with their different occu-

pations, as particularized page 179.

Scales of

fifth,

as foals, roach, dace, falmon, eels, Sec. as alfo

lizards,

the
is

fcales

of fnakes,

&c.

&c.
fcales

fpecimen of
light,

fcales

given, Plates X.

and XIX.

The

form a

but at

the fame time a folid and fmooth covering to the

fifh,

they hinder

the fluid from penetrating the body, for which purpofe they are
laid in a kind

of natural

oil

they ferve alfo as a protection, and

break the force of any accidental blow,

w hich may
T

be the reafon
fifh,

why river fifh

more

have larger and flronger

fcales

than fea

being

liable to accidents.

Feathers, and parts of feathers, are not to be paffed

by or un-

noticed

but it

is

impoflible to point out any of thefe in preference

it's

to others, as each has

peculiar beauties

the pkimula of thefe

have generally
ther
;

in the microfcope the

appearance of a large fea-

the pith contained in the quill, if cut tranfverfely, and ex-

amined, exhibits an admirable reticular texture.

Many

other

parts of birds will afford a great variety of curious objecls, par-

ticularly

708

Microscopical Essays,
Mr. Martin
fays, that the internal

ticularly the egg:

fpungy fub-

fiance of bones

may be better
;

obferved in thofe of birds than of

fcales

any other animal

even the feathers or

;

of a moth's wing

amply repay the obferver

figure
;

thefe alfo vary in their texture

and

but the

largeft,

and molt commonly applied, are from the

body of the fphinx

flellatarum, or

humming-bird moth
I.

a fpeci-

men

is

given, Plate

XVI.

Fig.

EFH

Tranfverfe feclions of
pithy or foft nature
Plates
;

all

kinds of wood, efpecially thofe of a

their beauty will be feen

by the

figures in

XXVII. XXVIII. XXIX.

grafles,

The flowers of mofl

the farina of flowers
vegetate
;

with

all

the varieties of mofFes

mouldinefs,

which evidently appears to

all

the kinds of fpunge, fea weeds, particularly the

is

confervse,

which

jointed like a cane.

The
;

extenfive family of

corallines prefent

an elegant appearance
fickle,

the mofl beautiful are

the fea hair, fea

fir,

fox

tail,

Sec. defcribed

by

Ellis.

Differed leaves, which fhew the

intefHne, injected with

fibres

and nerves

wax,

is

a fine object, as are

human many other

the
alfo

anatomical preparations.

The

feed of the filver-rind birch ap-

pears like an infel; feed of the

quaking grafs

is

much

admired, as
artificial

is

the leaf which covers the feed of forrel.

Among

productions, the edge of a razor, and point of a fine

needle, as alfo fine cambrick, evidently difcover the inferiority of

the

workman

particles

from the

collifion

of flint and

fteel,

wire

melted by the

ele6lric explofion,

&c.

Sec.

&c,

Tlie

Microscopical Essays.
The
by

709

preceding objects being moft of them eafy to be procured

who have leifure, and are frequently in the country, an endlefs variety may be added to them but thofe lovers of the icrofcope, who may have neither leifure nor opportunity to fearch for themfelves, may be fupplied with all, or moft of them*
thofe
;

or indeed with objects to almoft any extent, by applying to me,

No. 60,

Fleet-Street,

London.

Befides the above, there are an immenfity of objects which can

only be examined alive, or

aquatic infecls
vinegar, &c.
;

when

found, fuch as polypes, minute

animalcula, of various infufions, as eels in pafte,

The
tail

eyes and teeth of mails, the circulation

of

the blood in the

of fifties, &c.

The

(hooting ofTalis, Sec.

The
I hope,

following extract from a truly philofophical writer, will,

prove acceptable to the reader,

as well as

form a proper

conclufion to this work.

"

How

admirable are the works of

f

God how
!

excellent the

operation of his hands

confidered plants,
things..

and animals

four-footed, beafts^

and

creeping

In

all

was manifefted

infinite

wifdom, and an excellent work-

manfhip, that I could not comprehend.

Yet fo much was made known unto me, as declared the power and goodnefs of God, and the continued agency of the great Creator, and Lord of all things,
I

beheld

jw
I

Microscopical Essays.
beheld the caterpillar idum g from
it's
it's

egg, on the very plant

needful for

fupport

For there the parent

fly

had placed

it,

that

it

might have

whereon
It

to feed.

enjoys the repair,

itfelf

it

weaveth

it's

web, and, preparing for

it's

end, buildeth

a rich tomb.

It refteth

from

it's

labours,

and fleepeth the deep of death.

raifed again,

At

the appointed time

it

it

is

and the great Creator

of all things giveth

It

new

life.

leaveth

it's

afhes in the tomb,

and afcends, with a more

air.

beauteous form, into the regions of the

How
It
is

glorious are

it's

wings

and

it's

limbs

how

delicate

covered with

rich
all

plumage;

and furnimed with

myriads of eyes, to behold

around.

With

it's

trunk

it

furpafleth the art of the chymift, andextrac1>

eth from flowers the moft delicious fweets.

It forfakes the leaf

whereon

it

was

firft

nourifhed, rejoicing in

the bounty of

it's

Maker.
mindful of
offspring,

But, at his

command,

it

is

it's

and pro-

vides for the fafety and fuftenance thereof,

With

Microscopical Essays.
With anxious
given for
it's

711

care

it

feeketh out the plant which

God

hath

infant

worms.

Though
leaves,- yet

it is

feedeth not thereon, neither care th for the verdant

it

led with unerring fearch, and never faileth in

it's

choice.

It curioufly

fpreadeth forth
talk.

it's

eggs

and without thought,

ful-

Illeth

it's

appointed

The bee jufl

cell.

raifed to life, without a teacher fkilfully forms

her

The

fage s art

is

known

to her

me

has difcovered the

mod

capacious form,

and the

belt divifion

of fpace.

Without

fcale or

compafs fhe nicely meafureth her work, and

it's

with great care ftrengtheneth

foundations.

She layeth her foundations in the upper part downwards, even unto the ground and exquifitely
;

fhe buildeth
finifheth

her

work, furpaffing the art of man.

Behold

we

perceive as yet but a fmall portion of his works

we
jet

fee the operations

of his hands as through a

glafs

darkly^

how

excellent

do they appear !" *

Supreme Being,
in Imitation of the Eaftern Songs

* Hymns

to the

S,

7*3

INDEX.
A

APPARATUS
;

of 79 of the improved compound, 87 of Cuff's double, 82 of the opake folar, 98 common ditto, 102 ; Culpepefs, 91
;

of
;

the lucernal microfcope,

parts of defcribed, 120.

Adams's lucernal microfcope defcribed, 67

microfcope
ditto, 83.

double and fingle

Animalcula in
;

infufions,

how

procured, 150
;

bed, 454 concerning them confuted, 462.

properties of, 455

many forts Needham and Buffon's

;

defcri-

fyftem

Antennae of infe&s, their varieties defcribed, 175. Aphis, or puceron, defcribed, 251.
Anguiltae, or eel-like animalcula, 510.

B
Butterfield,

Mr.

his

method of making

glafs globules, 9.

Bonnani, Philip, his compound microfcopes defcribed, 17. Barker, Dr. Robert, his improvement on the compound microfcope, 18.

Bark of trees

defcribed, 660.

4S

Botanical

7H
Botanical

INDEX.
microfcope of Dr. Withering, 115;
214.
living,

common

ditto,

116; magnifiers, 117.

Beetle defcribed,
Bees,
their

manner of

257

different

forts

of,

282

taped ry, 283;

defcribed, 362.

mafon, 284;

carpenter, 285; their probofcis

Blea defcribed, 665.

Bug

defcribed, 697.

C
Cellular tiffue, 664.

Corona of trees
163.

defcribed, 669,

Cry flail ization what, 680; how prepared

for the microfcope,,

Cuff 's double-conftrucled microfcope defcribed, 80

it,

how

to ufe

81

lift

of the apparatus, 82.

Culpeper's

ditto,

89

how

to ufe

it,

90

lift

of it's apparatus, 91

Caterpillars, curious circumftances relating to

them, 313; of the

phalama

coffus, defcribed,

324.

Curculio imperialis, 368.

Chryfomela afparagi, 389*

D
Divini, Euftachio, his

compound microfcope

defcribed,

ifj

Dellebarre's microfcope, 23.

E
Eye, nature of vifion in
Ellis's

the, 31.
1

aquatic microfcope defcribed,

10

to ufe

it,

12.

Eel's

INDEX,
Eels in pafte,

:m
;

how

procured, 151

defcribed, 511

in vinegar,

510; Eggs of infects, 265, 269.

Elytra of
infects,

in blighted wheat, 518.

368; of the curculio

375;
of a
libellula,

imperialis, 368.

Earwig

defcribed, 374.

Eyes of

infe&s,

382

of the monoculus

polyphemus, 383.

F
Focus, what, 34,
Feathers, or fcales of a moth's wing, 370.

Forficula auricularia, or earwig, defcribed, 374,

Fifh, their fcales, 391.

Flea defcribed, 691.

G
Glafs globules ufed as microfcopes, 8
;

invention attributed to

M.
9,

Hartfoeker and Dr. Hooke,

13
;

ibid,

method of making them,

of Naples, 10
;

ufed with fuccefs by T.

De Torre
;

apparatus neceffary for making them, 10.

Globules of glafs ufed as microfcopes, 13

method of making

them, 13. Gray, Stephen, inventor of the water globules, 13*

Gnat

defcribed,

702,

H
Hartfoeker, invention of glafs globules attributed to him, 8.

Hooke, Dr. the manner

of making

glafs

globules

in

1656
fcope,

defcribed by him, 8; his method of ufmg the fingle micro-

4 S 2

7 i6
fcope,

INDEX.
14;
his
;

compound microfcope defcribed, 16; his method of meafttring the magnifying power of the compound
his

microfcope, 58

method of

fixing ohje&s

intended to be

drawn, 139,
Hill, Sir

John,

his

mode of preparing branches

of

trees, for

ob-

fervation, 158, 162.

Hemerobius

perl a defcribed, 373.

;

Hydra, many fpecies of defcribed, 398

of feizing their prey, 409
;

their food,

and method!

generation of, 415,

ft

$Mr
167
;

*W }d
.

Jan fens

and Son, microfcopes made by them,

account
of,

2.
;

Infects, a fcientific

antennae of defcribed, 175

particular characters
their transformation,
;

legs

ditto,
;

179
of, of, of,

wings

ditto,

182;
;

of;.

185
the

how
larva

claffed

by
;

Linnaeus, 187

189

193

pupa
eggs

of,.

197

their
;

refpiration,

240
elytra,

generation

248

.;

of,

265, 269
;

their multiplication,

271
of,

food
;

368

272 eyes of ditto, 375..

;

habitation of, 278

wings

of,

367

L
Lieberkuhn, Dr.
his

microfcope defcribed, 7
ditto^ 7.

his folar ditto,.

Leeuwenhoeck's microfcopes
advantages, 65

Lucernal microfcope,, invented by G. Adams, 22;

;

it's

peculiar

fully defcribed; 67.

;

it's apparatus, 79 Light rays ufed as a folar microfcope, 78 experiment made with, 29; of the management of the, 131.

Lenfes^

INDEX.
Lenfes, the various forts defcribed, 37
;

their ufes 3 38, 39, 40.

Lanthorn, added to the lucernal microfcope, 67.

Lamp,

Argand's, defcribed, 70.

Lyonet's anatomical microfcope defcribed,

114;

his

mode of

preparing objects, 138, 139.

Libellula defcribed, 231
;

its

eye defcribed, 382,

Lepas

anatifera defcribed, 359.

Leucofpis dorfigera defcribed, 385^

Lobfter infecl defcribed, 386.

Loufe defcribed, 698.

Lump-fiftv fkin
of,

388^

M*
Microfcopes,
firfl

invention

of,

claimed by the Dutch and:

his.

Italians, ibid, their Life, 2;

made by Zacharias Janfen and

;

Son, ibid,

defcription of

one defcribed by Aepinus, 3

ibid,

known'
impro-

to the Greeks and

Romans,
;

fingle

microfcope defcribed,,
of,"

further explained, 44

magnifying power
ditto

45

ved,
glafs

by Lieberkuhn, 65;
globules ufed infiead
13
;

by Leeuwenhoeck, 7; final I of convex lenfes, 8 globules of.

;
;

water, ditto,

two drops of water, 14

16;
;

compound of Dr.
Philip

Hooke

defcribed,

Euftachio Divini's ditto, 16;

Bonnani's ditto, 17 compound, improved by Dr. Robert Barker, 18; by Dr. Smith, 18; explained fully, 46 folar, invented by Lieberkuhn, 19- explained, fully defcri;

49;

bed, 99 ; lucernal, invented by G. Adams, 22 it's peculiar advantages,. 65, 67 fully defcribed, 67 ufed as a folar, 78
; ;
;

Delebarre's, 23

the different forts referred to, 24

their

mag-

nifying power, 53;

Cuff's double-conflrucled defcribed, 80;.

;

Adams's improved double and fmgle, 83

improved compound?.

718
pound, 89;
folar,
;

INDEX.
Culpeper's,

or three-pillar'd,

ibid,

improved
103
;

fcrew-barrel, or Wilfon's 92 and mirror added to it, 106; fmall

Tingle pocket,

fcrole

for

opake

objects,

107;

Ellis's aquatic,

110; anatomical of Lyonet,

114; botanical

of Dr. Withering, 115;

portable one defcribed,
obfervation, 128.

common

ditto,

116; and telefcope, a

118; the neceflary preparation for

Medium, what, 24

rare,

and

denfe, ibid.

Magnifying power of microfcopes, how to meafure, 54.

Magnifiers, botanical,
117.

Magny, Mr.
lenfes,

his

method of meafuring the magnifying power of

55.

Micrometer, the needle defcribed, 59. Mufca chameleon, it's changes defcribed, 220.

Motion of the wings of infefts defcribed, 372. Monoculus polyphemus, or king-crab, eyes
39 1 Meloe monoceros
-

of,

383

apus?

defcribed, 390.

N
Needle micrometer, 59.

O
Objeds, opake, how examined
catalogue
of,

in the lucernal microfcope,

;

73

688

tranfparent ditto, 76

catalogue

of,

693

mode

of preparation, 134, 148.

Polypes,

INDEX.
P
Polypes, directions for finding, &c. 152;
defcribed, 393;

7*9

re-

production

of,

418.

Puceron, fee aphis.

Probofcis of a bee defcribed, 362
Pith confidered, 671.
;

of the tabanus, 704.

R
Rays of
light,

experiments

made
654.

with, 29

continued, 35, 37,

Refraction, experiments on, 35, 36.

Rind of

trees confidered, p.

S
Smith, Dr. his improvement on the

compound
viewopake

microfcope, 18.

Solar microfcope defcribed, 19; improvements on do. 22; fully

defcribed,

99; improved fo

as to

as well as tranfpa-

rent objects, 92^;

Salts,

Swammerdam, his how prepared,

Silk

how to ufe it, 95. mode of preparing

163.

objects^ 134, 138.

worm,

it's

changes and manner offpinning, 211.

fifh,

Skin of the lump

Scales of
fifh,

388 of the
;

foal,
fifh,

392.
;

391
;

Haddock, 392

392 fea perch, 392. a perch from the Weft Indies, 392 foal, 392,
;

of the parrot

Spider confidered, 700. Seeds confidered, 692.

T
Torre, T. Di. of Naples, his
globules, 10,

mode of making and ufmg

glafs

Termites

7 20

INDEX.
:;

Termites defcribed, 292.

Timber, organization

of,

652.

Thrips phyfapus defcribed, 387. Tubularia, a fpecies of polype defcribed, 449.

V
Vifion, the nature of, 28
;

in the eye, 3 1

Vegetables, manner of preparing,

Vorticellae,

157.

many

fpecies of defcribed, 433.

;

Veflels

between the bark and rind of trees, 659

675.

fap,

674

in-

raoft,

W
Water, globules
drops
of, 14.

of,

ufed as microfcopes by Mr. Gray, 13

two

Wilfon's pocket microfcope defcribed,

fcrole, 106.

103;

improved by a

Withering, Dr. his botanical microfcope, 115.

Wafp,
of

the

Wings of infeas, 367

ditto,

mafon ichneumon, 286. of the moth and

;

butterfly,

370

motion

372

of the hemerobius

perla,

373

of the earwig,

374.

Wood confidered,

668.

Cata-

'CATALOGUE
O

.Mathematical and Philofophical Inftruments, MADE AND SOLD BY

G,

O R G E
No, 60,

ADAMS,
Majesty,
London,

.Mathematical Inftrument Maker to His

Fleet -Street,

Optical

Inftruments.
with
glaffes

HE
The

beft double-jointed filver fpetacles,

beft ditto,

with Brazil pebbles

:Single joint filver fpelacles, with -glafles

Ditto, with Brazil pebbles

with
glaffes

.'

.
s

s.

'd,

t
tQ

0
0

o
..

15

o
0
6

I0 10

Double

joint fteel fpeclacles,

fort

Another

of ditto

Beft fingle-joint fpetacles

Ditto, inferior frames

in filver
"

Nofe

fpe&acles,

mounted
and

'Ditto in tortoifefhell

filver

.Ditto in horn
"

and

fteel

076 050 .03 070

0
o
.4

Spectacles for couched eyes

Spectacles with fhades

Concave
Ditto

glaffes in

horn boxes, for fhor t-fighted eyes

tostoifefhell

mounted

in

and

filver,

pearl

and

filver,

in various

manners, and at different prices

^Reading glaffes, from.2s. 6d. to

Opera

glaffes,

from 10s. 6d. to

-4

220
g
1

Ditto of an improved conftrudion

2
1

o 0

Concave-and convex mirrors in frames, from 7s. 6d. to

18

18

Telefcopcs

722

A
life at

Catalogue of Instruments.
"

Telefcopes of various lengths, fizes, and prices

Telefcop'es to
fea

by night
15s.

ll

Acromatic profpects, from

to

may

be drawn out at
il. 11s.

12

Acromatic

telefcopes,

with brafs drawers, which

once, and that fhut up, conveniently for the pocket, from

6d. to

13

An

optical vade

mecum,

or portable acromatic telefcope and microfcope,

3I.

&C. for tranfparent and o pake objects, &c. from

13s. 6d. to
terreftrial*

4
it

14

thirty inch acromatic telefcope, with different eye pieces for

and

celeftial

obje&s, from

81. 8s. to-

11

Ditto with rack

work
and an half /long, with
different.

An acromatic
eye-pieces

telefcope, about three feet

all

18

18

Reflecting telefcopes of

the various fizes

A three foot reflecting telefcope, A ditto with rack work

A
two
powers

with four magnifying powers

foot reflecting telefcope, with rack

work; and four magnifying

36

15

21.0
12
8'

A two foot reflecting telefcope,

An
eighteen inch ditto

with two magnifying powers

A twelve inch ditto

Double
Ellis's aquatic

from

to

8
5 o 2

reflecting microfcopes,

3!^ 13s. 6d.

microfcope

5 21
2

Wilfon's microfcope, improved

212

Adams's lucernal microfcope

for

opake and tranfparent objects, being the-

moft perfect inftrument of the kind "hitherto contrived, affording more

entertainment and inftruction than any other inftrument
Solar microfcopes

210
5
16
21
5

Ditto for opake objects

Ditto

<

16

o
7

Camera
Magic

obfcuras,

from

8s. 6d. to

Glafs prifms, from 7s. 6d. to

lanthorns

22
1

Geographical and Aftronomical Inftruments.

Adams's new eighteen inch
from
9I. 9s.
to.

globes,

mounted

in the moft approved form,

--

~~

27

0
..

Ditto

A Catalogue
Ditto in the Ptolemaic or
Ditto,
12. inches in diameter,

of Instruments,

common manner
mounted
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manner, from

6
5I. 5s. to

s.

d.

6 16
3

0
6
0

Ditto in the

common manner

An

armillary dialling- fphere

orreries,

to
dial,

6
3

Manual
Adams's

from

ll. is.

or

Planetarium, teliunan, and lunanum, from ibl. i&s. to

from

40
3 3
1

0
13

0
6

10

0 0
0

improved
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equatorial

portable

obfervatory,

7I. 17s. 6d.

from from
5s.

Horizontal fun
Univerfal ring

to

dials,

7s. 6d. to

10
1

12
3.

0 0

Tranfit

irrftruirients

AftronomicaL quadrants, from 50I. to

800

Mathematical and Surveying Infiruments.

Gafes of drawing inftruments, from
7s. 6d.

to

Neat magazine

cafes of inftruments

Elliptical compalfes

new

35
11

O
II

Beam

compalfes with divifions, &x.

Triangular compalfes of a

contraction

Adams's

fectoral, elliptical,,

and callipper compafles in one inftrument,:

from

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to

and univerfal plotting

fcale

Adams's protracting

parallel rules,

Protractors, feftors, fcales, parallel rules,

&c.
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A new infttument

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A ditto for afcertaining points

Another inftrument
Pantographer, from
Plain tables, from
for taking views
2l. 2s.

and
utility,

12
2

12
12
,5

0
6

to

5 6
14.

0 0
0;

3I. 13s.

6d. to
to

Theodolites, from

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A neat portable

theodolite

1 2I. 1 2s.

31 8

10 18

0 6

Adams's improved double

Meafuring wheels, from
Circumferenter, from

theodolite, exceeding, for accuracy

every former kind, from

to

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to

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to

3i
to.

10.

Q.

10 15

O O
.

15

PhilofophicaL

.7-4

Catalogue of Instruments.
Philofophical Inftruments.

Improved
;

electrical

machines, from

3I. 13s.

6d.

to

to
.

j.

40
,12

0 .0 12
2
,10
.

Electrical machine and apparatus, in a box,

from

61. 16s. 6d.

\

Medical apparatus

air

Electrical machines, with a (elected apparatus, in a box, -from/l. 7s. to 31

Batteries,

and

all

other parts of an electrical apparatus

Small fingle-barrelled
Small double
ditto

pump

<

A
An

large ditto
air

i
6

14
16
-LO

Table

pump
air

from. 4I. 4s.

to

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improved

pump,

fuperior to Smeaton's conftruction of the

Apparatus to an
Barometers
Ditto

air

pump,

pump
.3
.
. .

in

O
2

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.0

3I. 3s.

Barometers, thermometers, from

to

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12
5

Marine barometers
Thermometers,
Ditto with

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1 1.

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11

Reaumur and

Farrenheit's fcales

Botanic thermometers

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1

Thermometers

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2s. to

18 2

Hygrometers, from 10s. 6d. to

The mechanic
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powers, comprifed in a fmall neat form

larger fcale, with

O
.6

3 21

.0

up on a

improvements
accelerated, retarded,

An

apparatus for

making experiments on
up

and rotatory

motion

mechanic apparatus
people,

fitted

for

the purpofe of instructing

&c.

fitted

fame purpofe
<*
-

young

26
16
7

0
16

A pneumatic apparatus,
An electrical

up

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0 0

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A magnetical apparatus,
Conductors for
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10
5

10

to preferve

them from lightning

^.w-J

:V

'
.

E
line 15,

R
for
22,
17,

T
read
read

A.
animalcula,
animalcula.

Page

2,

animalculas

8,

for

animalculas

375,

for

eggs

read

chickens.

SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION LIBRARIES

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Essays on the microscope;