INTRODUCTION. XX1X 
lower lip,’”’ he says, “is formed of a co- 
nical furrow, coriaceous, with an elevated 
ridge in the middle, and terminated in a 
point, and of a tongue, or membranous 
portion, lodged in this furrow, and spoon- 
shaped.’’— I beg leave to add some few 
observations to those of these great na- 
turalists. When the ants wish todrink, we 
see proceed from their lower jaws, which 
are much shorter than the upper, a little 
conical, fleshy, and yellowish tubercle, 
which performs the office of a tongue, 
advancing and retiring alternately; it 
appears to proceed from what we term 
‘the lower lip, which serves as the base, 
and perhaps a sheath to this tongue, and 
which is so small, that it is only from 
analogy with other insects we have given 
it this name. ‘This lip is capable of ad- 
vancing conjointly with the two lower 
jaws, and when the insect wishes to lap, 
the whole apparatus makes a progressive 
movement, in such a way, that thetongue, 
which is very short, has no need of much 
extension to enable it to accomplish its 
a3 
