Page:Micrographia - or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon.djvu/247

Rh Figure. The length and shape of the part of the Scale which was buried by the skin, is evidenced by the first Figure; which is the representation of one of them pluck'd out and view'd through a good Microscope, namely, the part L F G G F L, wherein is also more plainly to be seen, the manner of carving of the scolopt part of every particular Scale, how each ridge or barr E E E is alternately hollowed or engraven, and how every gutter between them is terminated with very transparent and hard pointed spikes, and how every other of these, as A A A A, are much longer then the interjacent ones, D D D.

The texture or form also of the hidden part appears, namely, the middle part, G G G, seems to consist of a great number of small quills or pipes, by which, perhaps, the whole may be nourished; and the side parts F F consist of a more fibrous texture, though indeed the whole Scale seem'd to be of a very tough gristly substance like the larger Scales of other Fishes.

The Scales of the skin of a Dog-fish (which is us'd by such as work in Wood, for the smoothing of their work, and consists plainly enough to the naked eye, of a great number off small horny points) through the Microscope appear'd each of them curiously ridg'd, and very neatly carved; and indeed, you can hardly look on the scales of any Fish, but you may discover abundance of curiosity and beautifying; and not only in these Fishes, but in the shells and crusts or armour of most sorts of Marine Animals so invested.

He Sting of a Bee, delineated in the second Figure of the XVI. Scheme, seems to be a weapon of offence, and is as great an Instance, that Nature did realy intend revenge as any, and that first, because there seems to be no other use of it. Secondly, by reason of its admirable shape, seeming to be purposely shap'd for that very end. Thirdly, from the virulency of the liquor it ejects, and the sad effects and symptoms that follow it.

But whatever be the use of it, certain it is, that the structure of it is very admirable; what it appears to the naked eye, I need not describe, the thing being known almost to every one, but it appears through the Microscope, to consist of two parts, the one a sheath, without a chape or top, shap'd almost like the Holster of a Pistol, beginning at d, and ending at b, this sheath I could most plainly perceive to be hollow, and to contain in it, both a Sword or Dart, and the poisonous liquor that causes the pain. The sheath or case seem'd to have several joints or settings together, marked by f g h i k l m n o, it was arm'd moreover neer the top, with several crooks or forks (p q r s t) on one side, and (p q r s t u) on the other, each of which seem'd like so many Thorns growing on a briar, or rather like so many Cat's Claws; for the crooks themselves seem'd to be little sharp transparent points or claws, growing out of little protuberancies on Rh