within two weeks after the earthquake commenced, on an estimate of the bodies found, amounted to thirteen hundred, besides the wounded and maimed, many of whom survived their tortures but a short time.

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL HISTORY.
THE MICROSCOPE.

RADIATA, WORMS, INSECTS.

The radiated animals are so named, on account of the different parts of which they are formed being placed likes rays around a common' centre. The star-fish so` frequently seen on the English coasts, is a familiar example of an animal of this class, The Echinus Seaegg, or Sea-urchin, is another instance; the shell, which, when the creature is dead, is frequently found on the sands, and which in that state bears some resemblance to an egg, was, when its inhabitant was living, covered with an immense number of spines or prickles, by means of which, as if with legs, it moved from place to place; on account of these appendages it is called the Sea-urchin, or Hedge-hog. In the smaller species these spines, when magnified, are very beautiful objects. Annexed are enlarged representations of three varieties.

The animals themselves are curious in their formation, but can only be seen to advantage when in a living state; on this account great dexterity in the observer, and the best opportunities of observation, are required; as the objects must, in all cases, be enclosed in some vessel containing sea-water, and will not live for any length of time if removed from the sea-side

Worms of all kinds present the same difficulties of observation as the radiated animals. We give a magnified view of the head of the Echinorhyncus, a worm which infests the intestines of animals. A simple inspection will show how difficult it must be to dislodge the intruder, when once it has fastened the numerous hooks with which the mouth is surrounded, in the flesh of its victim.

Upwards in the scale of the creation, we next come to the Insects; and here the microscopic observer will

8

Eye of the House-fly.

find abundance of materials for his curiosity, for the most insignificant being of this class will afford him amusement for hours; its eyes, wings, legs, sting,

horns, nay, the very down with which its body is cowered, present an interesting and splendid spectacle. The eye of the common house-fly is formed of numerous lenses, or magnifying-glasses, placed close to each other and curious both for their form and arrangement. The engraving represents the order in which they are arranged with reference to each other. The number of these lenses in a single eye frequently amounts to several thousands. The following figures show the curious structure of the foot of the same fly. broad flat pieces seen beneath the claws act something like suckers, and give the fly the power of walking upon the ceiling, or upon glass, without the danger of falling,

The two

The sting of the gnat, when its parts are carefully separated and highly magnified, presents a terrible display of barbed darts and cutting instruments; this weapon is placed under the throat of the insect, and it is curious and instructing to notice the manner in which it is employed; if the gnat uses it for the purpose of penetrating flesh, the darts are inserted, as well as the rest of the apparatus; but if feeding on fruit, it only thrusts in a little sucking tube, and by that means extracts the juices.

Sting of the Gnat.

(To be Continued.)

THE NIGHTINGALE.

The Nightingale is a small brown bird, well known for the fineness of its tones, chiefly in the evening, equalled only by the skylark in sprightliness, compass, and execution; but the latter is greatly inferior in mellowness and plaintiveness, in which two qualities the woodlark alone approaches the nightingale. Nightingales are birds of passage; they never unite in flocks, and their habitations are generally at a distance from each other. The female constructs her nest in low bushes or quickset hedges, well covered with foliage, in the vicinity of brooks; it is externally composed of dry leaves, mixed with grass and fibres, and lined with hair or down here she deposits four or five olivegreen eggs.

The masterpiece of knowledge is to know
But what is good, from what is good in show.

The Belted Kingfisher (Alcedo Alcyon.) Length, about twelve inches.'

It is easy to be perceived how the kingfisher might be mistaken for a bird of song. But the fancy of the halcyon's ruling the weather after the manner assumed

by the philosopher in the tale of Rasselas is so extravagant, that we cannot but smile at Montaigne, who seriously believes that "nature has honoured no other animal so much during its sitting and disclosing, for that the whole ocean is stayed, made stable, and smoothed without waves, without wind or rain, whilst the halcyon broods upon her young; which is just about the winter solstice; so that, by her privilege, we have seven days and seven nights, in the very heart of winter, wherein we may sail without danger." The poets,

Montaigne, Apology for Raymond de Sebonde,