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XXXII. Further Remarks on the Organs of the Antenne of Insects, described in « 
Paper published in the ‘ Transactions of the Linnean Society,’ vol. xxii. p.155. By 
J. Braxton Hicks, Esq., M.D. Lond., F.L.S., &e. 
Read May 5th, 1859. 
ON the 2nd of June, 1857, I read a paper before this Society, describing some * peculiar 
structures in the Antennæ of Insects,” which was published in the * Transactions,” vol. xxii. 
p.155; since which time I have extended my inquiries among the different tribes, the 
results of which I have now the pleasure of laying before you. But before doing so, it 
seems to me that it would be well to give an outline of what had been previously accom- 
plished towards the determination of the structure and uses of the antennæ, and of the 
various opinions founded upon those researches. 
I shall first of all quote Burmeister, who, in his ‘Manual of Entomology,’ translated 
by Shuckard, 1836, p. 295, $ 195, says, * But as insects doubtlessly hear—as some, for 
example the Cicada, Grasshopper and May Beetle, &c., produce a peculiar sound, which 
serves to attract the attention of the female—they must evidently be provided with an i 
organ of hearing, which is either very recondite, or referred to organs whose form does 
not evince their function. The antennæ are doubtlessly of this class; and, indeed, Sulzer, 
Scarpa, Schneider, Bockhausen, Reaumur, and Bonsdorff considered them organs of 
hearing. That they are not organs of touch is proved, anatomically, by their hard, horny 
upper surface, and physiologically by the observation that they never use them as such, 
this function being exercised by other organs, viz. the palpi. Besides, the analogy of the 
Crabs, in which it is well known that the organ of hearing lies at the base of the larger 
antennæ, speaks in favour of the opinion of their being in general organs of hearing. If 
after this hint we look to the insertion of the antennæ, we likewise detect aero N "- 
articulating membrane, which lies exposed, and which is rendered mn by He eon T" 
the antennæ. This membrane, beneath which the nerve of the antenna runs, might, 
Without much inconsistency, be explained as the drum of the ear, and thus would the 
antennæ be transformed helices, which, as very moveable parts, would receive the ae 
tions of the air caused by sound, and act as conductors to it. | Whoever has — 
tranquilly-proceeding Capricorn Beetle which is suddenly surprised by a loud A 2 5 
have seen how immoveably outward it spreads its antennæ, and holds them qutm E 
were with great attention, as long as it listens, and how carelessly the insect p I 
its course when it conceives that no danger threatens it from the unusual noise. = for 
Straus-Diirckheim, and Oken are of the same opinion, a m nn 
years, and ende to confirm myself in by numerous experiments. : 
$ 196. « vr doubt and NG attend the observations Få — 
"pon the organ of smell of insects. Reaumur, Lyonet, and several m ? "Th hard 
anatomists consider the antennæ as such; but I would ask, with what right e , 
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