The Anthrax 



This method of taking nourishment implies 

 an exceptional apparatus of the mouth, into 

 which it behoves us to enquire before continu- 

 ing. My most powerful magnifying-glass at 

 last discovers, at the centre of the pimple-head, 

 a small spot of an amber-russet colour; and 

 that is all. For a more exhaustive examination 

 we will employ the microscope. I cut off the 

 strange pimple with the scissors, wash it in a 

 drop of water and place it on the object-slide. 

 The mouth now stands revealed as a round 

 spot which, for hue and for the smallness of 

 its size, may be compared with the front stig- 

 mata. It is a small conical crater, with sides 

 of a pale yellowish-red and with faint, more 

 or less concentric lines. At the bottom of 

 this funnel is the opening of the gullet, itself 

 tinted red in front and promptly spreading 

 into a cone at the back. There is not the 

 slightest trace of mandibular fangs, of jaws, of 

 mouth-parts for seizing and grinding. Every- 

 thing is reduced to the bowl-shaped opening, 

 with a delicate lining of horny texture, as is 

 shown by the amber hue and the concentric 

 streaks. When I look for some term to de- 

 signate this digestive entrance, of which so far 

 I know no other example, I can find only that 



Z7 



