Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-08

the muscles CD m composition il consists Of al the
elements Of hor to which h added abumsD the phophaies
Of iron lime and msgnsss with peculiar substance called
chtns and coorng matter. II is formed Of three coats
layers viz the epdermis, ree mucosum, and the coYm.
Annsect Is divided into three distinct portions chest
and body and each of these parts is subject to further d.
VISION the details Of which demonstrated and explained
n dissecied skeleton Of aquatic BEETLE, the dycus
gnaHs The first modification Of structure was illustrated
by the skeleton of bug, has mucorea The skeleton
of the American coroach formed the next illustration. The
head was ssected show the upper and under lip
and under jaws with their muscles tongue, chin, &c. The
chest dsble into three egments rings was also ssected
to show the locomotive members belonging to these parts
specvely and the segmens which belong the body
pe,ed the skeleton Corresponding parts were shown in the
dsseced skeleton Of the mants reEgiosa, rsar-horse
In all the foregoing skeletons the three chief dvisiOnswers
represented to be freely srculaed onted together and
easily SEPARATES but in the skeleton Of bellua dragon
fly, beautiful modification pointed out The head is
of large size, with hemispherica compound eyes, of such
magnitude to form great proportion of the skull The
upper jaws Short strong, and provided with very powerful
musces particularly those muscles whose Office Is close
the mouth The first segment Of the chest carrying the first
pair of legs small and be easily separated from the head
in front and the second segment Of the chest behind The
second and third segmen Of the chest shown together
and sections, made in the direction Of the long axis Of the
body. The lecturer pointed out the lines of demarcaon
which defined the limits Of the bones in opposition, but stated
that they all sodered together thatthey
could all be separated The intention Of this arrange
concentration Of strength in the skeleton which is
thus firmly knit together to give secure attachment to the
very powerful muscles which nearly fill these two large seq
of the chest and destined the Of the wings
Z. xoc ha ho
nordnstey firm enable il to endure the action Of these
animals.
In It's habits and mode Of life the dragonAy b the in
world what the hawk among the bird Feeding
rey upon insects, many Of them swift Of fight the dragon
fly may be kimmng the surface Of ponds necessarily
the wing, in search Of its prey The great ze and
vision Of its compound eyes enable to discern insect
distance when with the speed Of lightning fash and
unerrng precision, it strikes its quarry, sezng with its two
pairs Of jaws and holding firmly by the UNDER whilst the
upper jaws crush and divide the creature, which
consumed than this Unsuitable insect may DO
on tie wing searching its domain for another victim To fl
it for such life has been gifted with the compactness and
sody bones Of its skeleton just described whilst the unusu
ally large size Of the wings, composed of of great
strength bat exquisite ghtness, supported by unequaed
distribution Of the hollow wing bones, and put in motion BY
muscles Of considerable power, endow it with capabilities for
flight that unsurpassed and the elongated form Of its
body is eminenty seryiceable coun.erpoise. II
Notwithstanding that eight nights have been devoted to the
subject Of the Sucture and Function Of Insects aided
by less than twelve dozen Of preparations many Of them
of great decacy and all Of them Of surprising beauty
only the threshold of this subject that
long life might be given the study Of this class Of ami
mails and yet leave deal unaccompshed. AS class
insects have great claims upon best attention. they
remarkable influence in the scheme of CREATION and the
uries which result from species fully by
the benefits conferred by Others In proof Of the latter
sertion we must not forget that
vegetable kingdoms. &a.-I..
Q They dead and decomposng animal and vege-
table matter. .s .u @..
g. They destroy noxious insects g...a.
A. They serve as the food Of other animals important
to man.
5. They promote the fertilization Of Plants.
With regard their immediate benefits beetle possesses
the blistering principle SO important in medicine.
One species of produces the cochnea used in the
arts and anoher the sheac, while the cynps of the oak
poducesthe nut gals Of which writing ink is made. The
for that probably every present in the lecture room
less adorned with the nspssaed savary secretion Of
the skwormor such is the origin Of silk Finally, they
all have their uses, and may fairly quote the sentiment
beautifully expressed by the late Rev. George Crabb
Each shell, each crawling insect, holds rank
Important in the plan Of him who framed
This scale OF beings, holds rank which lost
Would break the chain, and leave behind gap
Which natures self would rue"