The above remarks, it is hoped, will afford some useful hints to gentlemen intending to visit India; as well as plead in justification of those who, unacquainted with the difficulty of preserving collections in so warm a climate, have previous to their departure precipitately made promises to their friends, which for want of being realized, have too frequently exposed them to unmerited censure.
A
COPIOUS LIST
OF
MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS.
In the introductory part to our author’s list of objects in [Chap. X.] he very justly observes, that from the nature of the subject the list must be very imperfect, &c. it is not with the vain idea of rendering that complete which he has left imperfect, and which indeed must ever remain so, that the following general list is introduced; but principally with the view of still farther assisting the tyro, and pointing out a variety of articles, that might not otherwise so readily occur to him. In most instances, I have mentioned where the objects may be sought for with a probability of success; to have described them would have exceeded my limits. The specimen here given, will convince the reader, that it would be no very difficult task, so to enlarge this list, as to constitute a volume; but, it is presumed, that in its present state it will be found sufficiently extensive, and of considerable utility. To those who are already conversant with the subject, it may prove acceptable as a kind of index to assist their memories; and to such as may be disposed to form a cabinet, it will serve the purposes of directing them in their choice of the principal objects, and exhibiting some idea of the manner in which they are to be arranged.
I. ANIMALS, AND THEIR PARTS.
THE HUMAN SPECIES, QUADRUPEDS, &C.
- The human hair
- Horse hair
- Hog’s bristles
- Mouse hair
- Smellers of cats, tygers, &c.
- Cuticle, or scarf skin of the human body
- The skin itself
- Membrana adiposa
- Muscular fibres
- Nerves
- Arteries and veins
- Intestines or guts
- Lacteals
- Lympha ducts
- Lungs
- Liver
- Pancreas, &c.
- Brain
- Eye, its coats, humours, &c.
- Nose, its ossa spongiosa, &c.
- Ear, its hair, wax, tympanum, &c.
- Tongue, its fibres, nervous papillæ, &c.
- Blood, its globules, circulation, &c.
- Nails and hoofs in thin slices
- Bones, &c. &c.
OBJECTS PECULIAR TO BIRDS.
- Feathers and their plumage
- Pith of ditto cut transversely
- Red combs and gills of cocks
- Scaly skin of the legs
- Web or membrane of waterfowl
- Fleshy fibres, particularly the gizzard
- Eggs, their beautiful teints
- Coloured iris of the eye in some, &c.
- The breast bones and scapulæ of small birds; to which may be added,
- The membranaceous wings of the bat