The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-12-08

ignt pressure above the organ. causing
it tOProtrude its full length. when il wa,
skilliullT removed, care being taken not
to rnutilateSit. Under the microscope
the, proboscis bore decided resem-
blance to a rough, uneven log, over
grown with dark, thick moss, ut one
end of which were number of black
projections. having the appearance of
heavy spikes driven into the log, but
which were in reality infinitely small
hairs. 1t was certainly formidable
looking object in its magnified state.
The experienced eye of the professor
detected a slight vibration upon the
surface of the log. and that particular
specinon of hy-tOngue was pronounced
one of those for which we sought. The
tongue was inhabited, and again the
fly had proved a success. The opera
ton which followed was one of extreme
caution and skillful manipulation, and
consisted in splitting the organ length
wise. which was successfully accom-
plished under the small microscope,
with instruments of most delicate text
ure, requiring the greatest care in their
use. The operation resulted favorably,
and sure enough the ''critter'' was
there! He had taken up his residence
for the time being inside the tongue.
although it has been demonstrated that
he possesses the power of roaming at
his own sweet will either inside or out
side of his field of operations. He was
captured without much of a contest,
and was imprisoned in a small drop of
water, which was placed upon glass
slide with concave center, and sub
jected to the searching revelations of
the microscope. He appeared to take
naturally to his new element. and mani
tested surprising activity in his liquid
quarters. He was pronounced BY the
professor to be quite handsome speci-.
men. Peoples ideas of beauty differ very
materially, and it was only decent re-
gard for the proprieties of the occasion
that prevented the reporter from vent
uring the opinion that he was about
as ugly a reptile rs ever was '.untimely
brought to light" and. also. were it not
for due Difference to the dignity of sci
entific judgment which was decided that
parasite is not purveyor of disease,
there would have been then and there
one more convert to the opposing doc.
hideous enough to be guilty of any
thing. He was almost transparent, had
fiat head and the body of serpent
And how he did squirm, filling the en-
tire space OF his miniature aquarium
with his writings and commissions.
Yet, it was a relief to be tod that he
was harmless, for his appearance did
not indicate the fact. and the common
house-iy VII not rise in the estimation
of the general public when it is known
that he is capable of harboring such q
disreputable looking monster. even
though he were '.inoculated' against
every known disease. BY actual meas
,urement this one was found by Mr..
MickelbDrough to be ninety-three
thousandth of an inch in diameter The
greatest number he has ever found on
sing.e fy's tongue was three enough
in all conscience!
The proboscis, which was also ex-
amined, was an interest NJ object. The
outer part or covering is supported by
ribs or braces placed at regular inter-
walls, and apparently of great strength
in proportion to the object. The feat
ure of CONDENSATION is an important
one in zoology. A parasite feeds on the
fluids prepared by the animal on which
it exists. In the case of the fly the
anguillulu, as it rea ly is, obtains its
nonr.shment from the fluids w. ich pass
through the tongue. and does not i'm
bibe its food from the circulating
fluids in the body of the fly. Trese
creatures have no backbone, and their
location is the usual We mi Mar moye-
ments seen in the eel and snake.