INTRODUCTION. 



its upper surface until it reaches the orifice of the tube 

 formed by the approximation of the maxillae above, 

 and of the labial palpi and this part of the ligula 

 below." 



We pass from the mouth of the bee and the Hymen- 

 optera generally to that of the Lepidoptera, the 

 Butterfly and Moth tribe, in which we find a complete 

 adaptation for suction ; the 

 long spiral trunk of the 

 butterfly is familiar to 

 everyone. Here the labium 

 and mandibles are quite 

 rudimentary, being three 

 small triangular - shaped 

 plates difhcult to make out, 

 being concealed by the 

 thick hairs which clothe 

 butterflies heads ; but the 

 maxillae are immensely 

 elongated and are united 

 along their inner surfaces, 

 forming by the junction 

 of the two grooves, which are channelled out along 

 their inner surfaces, a long tube through whicli the 

 insect sucks the juices of flowers. This proboscis or 

 haustelllum varies much in length; some lepidoptera 

 require no food in their adult stage, and here the organ 

 is small; but in the hawk moths, which gather the 

 juices from flowers without alighting, the haustellium 

 is sometimes two inches long. On the tips of butter- 

 flies' tongues are often to be found small conical shaped 

 papillae, which are supposed to be organs of taste. 



Head of Sphinx-Moth (magnified). 



a, Upper lip. h, Mandibles, c, Maxillae. 



d, Lower lip. e, Antenna. /, Eye. 



