Kirby and Spence's Introduction to Entomologi/. 129 



On the organs of the Senses in insects there exists so consider- 

 able a difference of opinion, that the Letter on them will probably 

 prove one of the most generally attractive. That insects possess 

 senses equivalent to, if not identical with, those of the human 

 race, is rendered evident by numerous facts with which all are 

 conversant. Few however entertain precise ideas as to the organs 

 by which are received the impressions of external objects. Our 

 authors regard the Antennae, relative to whose functions so much 

 discussion has taken place, as the analogues of ears ; the sense of 

 hearing being however probably modified by some connexion with 

 that of touch in a manner of which we can form no clear con- 

 ception. Touch, in a passive sense, appears to be pretty generally 

 diffused over the body ', active touch is stated to be confined to 

 the antennae, palpi, and arms. Smelling is, as we have before 

 observed, referred to the nose and to the space included between 

 it and the lip : and taste to the tongue. With respect to the 

 organs to which sight is entrusted no dijBiculty appears to exist. 



The Orismology of this department of Natural History is 

 another of those topics to which, as to the external anatomy, the 

 attention of the authors has been especially directed. The im- 

 portance of a well-defined system of terms is too obvious to re- 

 quire illustration. Without a thorough and clear acquaintance 

 with them it would be impossible either to receive or to convey 

 correct scientific information. The terms proposed by Messrs. 

 Kirby and Spence seem perfectly adapted for general use. They 

 are precisely defined, and as they are by far more numerous thaa 

 those previously in use, they of course comprehend a greater 

 number of those variations in substance, forms, surface, and 

 relative situation, on which reliance must always be placed in 

 the investigation of insects. Each of them is moreover illustrated 

 by a reference to that part of some particular insect in which it is 

 found to exist, and a correct idea of its precise meaning is thus 

 ensured. In the nomenclature of colours this plan is almost 

 essential, words alone being scarcely capable of conveying ac- 

 curate impressions of numerous shades which are readily distin- 

 guished by the eye. 



Vol. III. I 



