The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1888-06-08
Mieroscopical Wonders

tongue -
"All rightW s4idI. ''Flies have
been investigating me for a long
time, and nothing will give me
more pleasure than TO see a fly's
tongue transfixed, and to investi-
gate It calmly under a microscope.
Accordingly, Mr.. Hopkins placed
the subject in position, and turning
the table, | brought my eye 10 bear
upon the object. The fy's tongue
is certainly a complicated piece Of
mechanism. No description would
DO it justice; it must De seen to
be appreciated.
The next subject was a section
of horsefly, showing The complete
kit of tools with which he pursues
his investigations into The flesh Of
horses. There was a fine saw, with
teeth plainly visible, a piercer for
irritating the wound, which caused
the blood TO flow. and all arranged
for use. Then we looked at the
saw-fiy, which frequents rose and
gooseberry bushes. and saws places
IN the twigs and deposits its eggs.
lhe SINGING apparatus of the
honey bee next claimed our atten-
ton. Having had some experience
with the bees business department
| congratulated myself that the
mystery of its operation was about
to be unveiled. The sight confirm
ed me in my purpose previously
formed for giving bee-hives wide
berth in the future. A bees sting.
er looks formidable under the mi
croscope. Teeth project from the
side like sword fish, and attached
to it is the poison bag which con-
tains the article which, when in
serted into a mans hand by an en-
terprising bee, makes him wish that
he had never been born.
"Ycu will see," said Mr.. Hop
kins, ''.hat by increasing the power
of the microscope the formation OF
parts of The various objects exam
ined is clearly shown, and the more
closely they are examined the
more complete they appear. There
are no bQtched jobs in nature"
"Do your Investigations" | ask
ed, "lead to the conclusion that all
these complete and beautiful things
were evolved from an incomplete
germ ?"
Mr. Hopkins replied very en-
phatically "No sir; they do not.
take no stock in the modern con-
clusion on that point"
The hornet was next investiga-
ed. 1t has been said that he diff.
Fers from the flea In this respect,
hat when you put your finger on
lim you know he Is there. Much
Is we dislike to meet The hornet
Ind be interviewed by him, espe-
,ially when seated In the grass
eating loaf cake at picnic, he ap-
pears remarkably we'll under mi
Nj. Hopkins called my
attention to this interesting fact.
)n The edge of the hornets wings
ire series Of hooks, which, at GER
ain times, are used TO hook the
wings together, but no one has
'et succeeded in hooking or un-
the wings of the captured
lseet. The hooks were plainly
cen through the instrument. a
ee's foot and a fringed paddle of
he water beetle closed our investi-
ltions among the insect tribe. A
sction of the leaf of the cutcher
liant was next shown. 1t was COW
ed with little stars perfectly
rmed. These stars are composed
silex, and if the leaf Is burned
q stars are not consumed.
Dlatoms are subject for special
ldy. They are vegetable plants
innumerable varieties,
hich can only be seen and classi-
ID by the aid of the microscope. +.
atoms have been seen upon
nch $4,000 traverse lines have
en- shown by the aid of the most
werful microscopes. POlarized
,ht in another department of mi
study. The polarizer
to the microscope, and
its means the most beautiful
rms and colors are seen. There
g an infinite number of availa-
g subjects IN this realm. Chem
Il crystals, minerel sections,
excl prisms and objects from
getable life all show vast va
.ty of colors and forms.