NOISES OF INSECTS. ^93 



When, by means of a pin, he unfolded the spiral tongue, 

 the cry ceased ; but as soon as it was rolled up again be- 

 tween the palpi it was renewed. He next prevented the 

 palpi fi'oni touchintr it, and the sound also ceased ; and 

 upon removing only one of them, though it continued, 

 it became much more feeble^. Huber, however, denies 

 that it is produced by the friction of the tongue and pal- 

 pi '': but, as he has not stated his reasons for this opinion, 

 I think his assertion that he has ascertained this cannot 

 be allowed to countervail Reaumur's experiments. 



I must next say a few words upon the angry chidings 

 of our little creatures ; for their anger sometimes vents 

 itself in sounds. I have often been amused with hear- 

 ing the indignant tones of a humble-bee while lying' 

 upon its back. When I held my finger to it, it kicked 

 and scolded with all its might. Hive-bees when irri- 

 tated emit a shrill and peevish sound, continuing- even 

 when they are held under water, which John Hunter 

 &ays vibrates at the point of contact with the air-holes 

 at the root of their wings ^ This sound is particularly 

 sharp asid angry when they fly at an intruder. The 

 same sounds, or very similar ones, tell us when a wasp 

 is oiFended, and we may expect to be stung; — but this 

 passion of anger in insects is so nearly connected with 

 their fear, that I need not enlarge further upon it. 



Concerning their shouts of joj/ and cries of sorrow I 

 have little to record : that pleasure or pain makes a diffe- 

 rence in the tones of vocal insects is not improbable ; but 

 our auditory organs are not fine enough to catch all their 

 different modulations. When Schirach had once smoked 



^ Reav.m. ii. 'iOO— . " .Vowi;. Obs. ii, 300. note », 



° Ija PMlos. Tr.ms. 1192. . - 



