illustration may be seen a pair of these wings, together with the row of hooks which bind them together. A still more magnified representation of the hooks is placed near the wings.

It is now ascertained that the wings of insects are connected with the breathing apparatus, and that the respiration of the insect extends even to the very tips of these singular organs, which are not modifications of existing limbs, as in the birds, but additional structures. The circulation of insects may often be seen by placing a portion of a transparent wing under a moderately high power. I have often seen it in the wing of the great water-beetle. A series of very beautiful preparations may be made in order to show the distinction between the wings of different insects; and as the orders of insects are founded upon their wings, there ought to be at least one example of each order. The proboscis of insects is always worthy of careful examination.

As to the breathing apparatus itself, the best mode of examining it is to open a caterpillar, remove a part of the large breathing tube which runs along each side, and place it under the microscope. It should always be taken so as to include one of the spiracles, or breathing-holes. An example of a breathing-tube, taken from a silkworm, is given in the illustration.

HAIRS of animals are very curious and interesting objects. They should be mounted in three modes-namely, dry transparent, dry opaque, and in Canada balsam, transparent. Be sure to procure some hair of the bat, the sheep, the mouse, the deer, the mole, and any of the weasel tribe. Many insects have very beautiful hair, but the most lovely hair in the animal kingdom is that which is obtained from the sea-mouse. Fish scales should also be procured, and specimens should be taken from the lateral line.

MOLLUSCS of all kinds afford many beautiful objects, and the observer should be very careful to examine the wonderful tongue-ribbon of the snail, the slug, the periwinkle, the whelk, and other similar molluscs. If meant to be examined by polarized light, the tongue-ribbon should be mounted in Canada balsam.

CRYSTALS should always form part of a collection. Take those of common salt, nitre, sugar, chlorate of potash, salicine, &c. ; indeed, anything that will crystallize should be prepared and mounted, as such objects will often be most useful when examining unknown substances. ZOOPHYTES must of course find a place in the cabinet, and the young

microscopist ought to put up a few specimens of the "bird's-head" pro

the sea, should also be preserved, and the extraordinary appendages to the skin of certain star-fish and sea urchins should be examined. These are called pedicillariæ, and a sketch of them is given in the illustration.

[In the last paper on the microscope, the illustration of the camera lucida, on page 209, has been wrongly inserted by the printer. The eye ought to be at the top, and the arrow at the bottom, the camera lucida being always placed horizontally.] ·

VOLNEY BECKNER.

VOLNEY BECKNER, the brave, with his father set out,

On a ship going over the seas;

Their friends wave their hands as their farewells they shout
Through the mist and the bracing sea-breeze.

On that ill-fated lad Fate had branded her mark;
He must perish in this life's first phase,

By a horrible death through the fangs of a shark,
In an exploit that baffles all praise.

His sad tale is known through the lengths of the land,
How he died in his efforts to save;

When almost in reach of a friend's helping hand,
The sea-monster snatched him to his grave.

God grant that the lads who may hear this tale,
May to his great courage attain ;

In perilous times may not let their hearts fail,
And may keep their lives clear of all stain.

FREAKS ON
ON THE FELLS;

OR,

THREE MONTHS' RUSTICATION.

BY R. M. BALLANTYNE,

Author of "The Wild Man of the West," &c.

CHAPTER X.-LOST ON THE MOUNTAINS.

ID ever the worthy London merchant, in the course of his life, approach to the verge of the region of despair, it was on that eventful night when he found himself and his family lost among the mountains of Scotland.

"It's dreadful," said he, sitting down on a cold grey rock and beginning slowly to realize the utter hopelessness of their condition. "My poor Lucy, don't be cast down" (drawing her to his breast); "after all, it will only be a night of wandering. But we must keep moving. We dare not venture to lie down in our wet clothes. We must not even rest long at a time, lest a chill should come upon you."

"But I'm quite warm, papa, and only a very little tired. I could walk for miles yet." She said this cheerily, but she could not help looking anxious. The night was so dark, however, that no one could see her looks.

"Do let me go off alone, father," urged George; "I am as fresh as possible, and could run over the hills until I should fall in with

"Don't mention it, George; I feel that our only hope is to keep together. Poor Peter! what will become of that boy?"

Mr. Sudberry became almost desperate as he thought of the small clerk. He started up. "Come, we must keep moving. cold, dear? are you sure you are not cold?"

You are not

Y