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surface, and in the case of one of the Indian bats, the scales are arranged in curious whorls at regular intervals, not unlike the stem of the well-known plant "Equisetum." The

Fig. 3.—Spanish Merino.

hairs of the mouse (fig. 5), and rabbit (fig. 6), as well as all the rodents, are admirable objects, from their distinctly serrated surfaces.

Fig. 4.—Mohair.

Without attempting to enumerate the animals whence these interesting objects can be obtained, it may be briefly states that every hair has its own peculiar characters, and is worth all the patience and time which can be

Fig. 5.—Mouse.

devoted to it. For examination under the polariscope hairs of all kinds, when properly mounted, are popular objects of admiration, exhibiting with extreme brilliancy characters and definitions otherwise unattainable. For the critical examination of hairs, recourse must be had to the use of acids and alkalies, aided by pressure and gentle heat; but for mounting hairs or sections of hairs on glass slides a different method must be adopted. Macerate in ether to cleanse them from fatty matters, and if opaque they must be soaked in turpentine, then mount them in balsam. Sections may be obtained by gluing several

Fig. 6.—Rabbit Fur.

hairs together and then slicing them with a sharp knife or razor.

In concluding this brief notice of hairs, the young microscopist is reminded that the field is a wide one, and that it is not at all necessary to go beyond the boundaries of his native haunts to obtain materials for an extensive cabinet of interesting specimens.

W. M. B.

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THE CABBAGE BUTTERFLY AND ITS METAMORPHOSES.

BY PROFESSOR A. DE QUATREFAGES.

(EXTERNAL PHASES.)

All our readers must have seen the cabbage-butterflies (Pieris Brassicæ) in their gardens, or in the country; they have black bodies, white ringed antennæ, and wings which are white on the upper side, but yellowish below, and covered with black spots, whose number and position mark the sexes. They are frequently seen in the months of August and September flying in pairs, sometimes in pursuit of each other, and occasionally rushing round and round, as though engaged in some severe contest. It seems as if a real struggle was going on, but it is absolutely nothing of the sort. The male urges his suit, and the female rejects it in true coquettish spirit. Finally, she settles down, but her wings are closely applied to each other, in this way covering the entire body. The male moves round and round her for a few moments, and then, as if he had taken his final departure, flies almost out of sight; but this is evidently a ruse. As soon as the female unfolds her wings and exhibits her entire form, he returns quickly enough, but to no purpose;