REMARKS ON INSECTS. 329 



tugging at opposite ropes, thus keeping the spider's legs in full 

 tension, and never relaxing their hold, they forced him unwillingly 

 along ', unable to extricate himself from custody, and no rescue 

 appearing, he finally disappeared from my sight in the dark defiles 

 of the nest. 



Insects certainly enjoy the sense of touch, but it would seem to 

 be confined to the antennae and feelers in front of the head, which 

 appear, in most instances, to precede their steps, and probably 

 possess the same delicate sense as the whiskers of the feline tribe. 

 The Ichneumonida, in particular, are perpetually waving their 

 antennae, and thrust them down holes, as if to obtain information 

 otherwise unattainable, which they would hardly do if, as some 

 suppose, the antennae were in reality merely ears. De Geer con- 

 ceived this idea from observing a coleopterous insect, apparently 

 asleep, rouse up its antennae quickly at a loud noise he made. 

 But this it would have done just the same on the supposition that 

 it is the organ of sensitive feeling — for, hearing the noise, and see- 

 ing nothing, it would naturally stretch forth its antennae to ascer- 

 tain, if possible, on which side danger threatened. I have general- 

 ly found that insects are very sensible to any injury offered to their 

 antennae, and I have observed a species of podura fall into convul- 

 sions from its antennae being cut off in examining it. The tarsi 

 are also useful organs of touch in insects — in many having a broad 

 spongy surface, which, amone^ flies, is applied with great facility to 

 enable them to walk upon the smooth superficies of any object. 



The insect tribes have evidently more of epicureanism about 

 them than we are generally aware of j they possess taste, therefore, 

 to a considerable degree, and many have organs for the production 

 of saliva. It is true that certain caterpillars are omnivorous, but 

 the greater number will die sooner than touch a viand that is 

 disagreeable to them. The seat of the olfactory nerve in insects is 

 a disputed point j but that odours affect them there can be no 

 doubt, for how otherwise would the flesh-fly discover putrid flesh, 

 even in the most secluded spot. Some insects even give out the 

 musky odour so much cherished, though others have an effluvia 

 altogether unpleasant. 



Hearing is another sense possessed by the tribes passing in 

 review before us, though there is no apparent external ear, and we 

 can only judge by analogy, as the aural nerve has not yet been 

 detected. But to what end would be the boom of the bee, the 

 buzz of the fly, or the hum of the gnat, if hearing was denied to 

 them ? Does the 



" Pretty cricket, full of mirth. 

 Chirping on our kitchen hearth," 



roll out his merry song to deaf ears ? — This is hardly probable — 

 and must be considered impossible, if what I have now to commu- 

 nicate be correct — but at present I must admit I cannot say 

 " probatum est" to it. Some months ago a gentleman applied to 

 me for information how to exterminate some crickets, which made 



