On the Organs of Hearing in Insects. 47 b 



below it, answering the same purpose as the rounded end of 

 bones in animals, with this difference, that the muscular pow- 

 er that gives motion to them is inserted on the outside of the 

 bone, in the antennae it is inserted and situated in the inte- 

 rior ; hence the idea of their being " perfectly solid " is erro- 

 neous. The loba is punctured on the exposed part, polished 

 and smooth on the inner side, where it may be lubricated by 

 synovia. The surface of the loba is also furnished with two 

 elevated points, which serve as stops to prevent the antenna 

 from working round, (see d). On the scapus, towards the up- 

 per end, is a stiff bristle, always present in this species, in- 

 serted into a reniform cavity, {e). What purpose this can 

 answer we will not at present inquire, but that it is important 

 we may learn from the care manifested in the structure of the 

 recess in which it is seated. The torulus (2) has not any 

 hairs upon it; the antescapus (3) a few towards the upper 

 end; the next, cyanthis, (4) is furnished with a coronet of 

 them; and the seven last (5 to 11) composing the phonascus 

 are entirely covered with minute brownish hairs. The last 

 segment (11) has a cup at the tip, concealed from view by the 

 hairs that surround it. These hairs may be removed by the 

 scalpel, and when the apex is submitted to the microscope, 

 the capsule (f) is easily distinguished, with the membrane 

 covering its surface. 



The outer covering is the epidermis, very thin, and easily 

 scraped off: it is this that causes the polish on the surface. 

 The rete mucosum lies in connection with it, pitchy black. 

 Below this is the adepose tissue, whitish and vascular, imme- 

 diately in connection with the bone. The bone, or ossified 

 portion consists of the same substance as the bones of animals, 

 that is, cellular tissue, with depositions of earthy particles. 



Each annulation is provided with distinct muscles, uniting 

 and forming two fasciculi within the loba : the auditory nerves 

 from them unite, and pass to the back of it. The white mat- 

 ter that fills the antenna consists of the medullary substance, 

 through which the nerves and muscles pass, which it keeps 

 moist. The cellular tissue lines the surface and ramifies 

 through every part. The medullary substance is of vital im- 

 portance in organization, whether of vegetable or of animal 

 existence : destroy the pith of trees, or injure the marrow in 

 the spinal column, and destruction of life is the ultimate con- 

 sequence. When near the brain, death takes place sooner 

 than if the injury be more remotely seated. From a know- 

 ledge of this fact, the matadors of Spain endeavour to discom- 

 fit their antagonists in the bull-fight : from the application of 

 this law, we deprive the most powerful of the feathered race 



