The two small objects represent the handy little paper lanterns so common in China and Japan. They are composed of an external coat of tough tissue paper, so thin that it allows the light to pass through it with tolerable freedom, and of an internal series of elastic rings, which not only support it and preserve its cylindrical shape, but allow it to be folded up flat when not wanted. I possess a singularly ingenious lantern of this kind, made in Japan, and displaying the thoroughness of work which characterizes that nation. It is five inches in diameter, and the lantern itself is affixed at either end to a circular wooden cap the upper fitting over the lower. Consequently, when the lantern is shut, it is entirely enclosed between these two caps, which effectually preserve it from harm. It is delicately finished, and has no less than thirty rings, made of very narrow strips of bamboo. The upper cap has a little trap-door through which the candle can be admitted and trimmed, and in its centre is a small round hole for the passage of air. * * * * * IN the left-hand division of the illustration are shown several examples of ringed and spiral tissues belonging to the vegetable world, in which the principle is exactly the same as that of the Chinese lantern, &c. That on the right hand is an example of simple rings within a membrane. The central figure shows a double spiral, which produces very much the appearance of a series of rings; and on the extreme left is an interesting example which shows the transition in the internal supports from spirals to rings. [Illustration: SPIRAL AND RINGED FIBRE (VEGETABLE).] [Illustration: NAMELESS OBJECTS.] [Illustration: PAPER LANTERNS.] I have already mentioned that the proboscis of the House-fly exhibits this modification. If one of these objects be placed under a moderate power microscope--the half-inch is quite enough--and examined, it will be seen that there are some large tracheæ, just like those of the Dragon-fly larva, on each side of the proboscis, and that, where the end is widened and flattened into a sort of disc, their place is taken by a set of very much smaller tracheæ, coming nearly to a point, and each being supported internally by a series of incomplete rings, shaped very much like the letter C. A slide containing this object well mounted can be purchased at any optician’s for a shilling. * * * * * THE trachea, or windpipe, as we call it, of all vertebrate animals, man included, is formed on exactly the same principle, as any one may see by going to a butcher’s shop, and looking at the trachea, or windpipe, by which the lungs, or “lights,” as they are called, are suspended. Were it not for this structure, we should not be able to bend our necks or turn our heads. [Illustration: OX.] [Illustration: PIG.] [Illustration: GOOSE.]