SCALE of LEPISMA SACCHARINA:

The scale of Lepisma saccharina, the common "Silverfish" insect has lines that are clearly visible with low power objective. With n.a. exceeding 0.3, the intricate pattern of cross striations is revealed with either a stopped down aperture diaphragm or NIC illumination. This was an example of a test object pictured in Gould's Companion to the Microscope, 1835 edition. Electron microscopy has revealed that the beading and cross-striations are artifacts likely induced by the structure of the scales causing such phenomena as interference and refraction.