An observation of Dr. Hooke’s may be very useful if attended to, for fixing objects intended to be delineated by the microscope. He found no creature more troublesome to draw than the ant or pismire, not being able to get the body quite in a natural posture. If, when alive, its feet were fettered with wax or glue, it would so twist and twine its body, that it was impossible any way to get a good view of it; if it was killed, the body was so small, that the shape was often spoiled before it could be examined. It is the nature of many minute bodies, when their life is destroyed, for the parts to shrivel up immediately; this is very observable in many small plants, as well as in insects; the surface of these small bodies, if porous, being affected by almost every change of the air, and this is particularly the case with the ant. But if the little creature be dropped in well rectified spirit or wine, it is immediately killed; and when taken out, the spirit of wine evaporates, leaving the animal dry and in its natural posture, or at least so constituted, that you may easily place it with a pin in what posture you please.[42] [42] Hooke’s Micrographia, p. 203. Having thus given a general account of the methods used by Swammerdam and Lyonet, in their examination and dissection of insects, we shall proceed to shew how to prepare several of their parts for the microscope, beginning with the WINGS. Many of these are so transparent and clear, as to require no previous preparation; but the under wings of those that are covered with elytra, or crustaceous cases, being constantly folded up when at rest, they must be unfolded before they can be examined by the microscope; for this purpose a considerable share of dexterity and some patience is necessary, for the natural spring of the wings is so strong, that they immediately fold themselves again, except they are carefully prevented. One of the most curious and beautiful wings of this kind, is that of the FORFICULA AURICULARIA, or EARWIG, of which we have given a drawing, Plate XIV. Fig. 1, represents it considerably magnified, and Fig. 2, the same object of its natural size. When expanded, it is a tolerably large wing, yet folds up under a case not one-eighth part of its size. It is very difficult to unfold these wings, on account of their curious texture. They are best opened immediately after the insect is killed. Hold the earwig by the thorax, between the finger and thumb; then with a blunt-pointed pin endeavour gently to open the wing by spreading it over the fore-finger, gradually sliding at the same time the thumb over it. When fully expanded, separate it from the insect by a sharp knife, or a pair of scissars. The wing should be pressed for some time between the thumb and finger before it be removed; it may then be placed between two pieces of paper, and again pressed for at least an hour; after which it may be put between the talcs without any danger of folding up again.