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Mr. G. Newport on the 
reside in the antennae, or in the spiracles of the body. It must 
also be remarked that the antennae of this insect are often used 
for the purpose of touching or exploring, although previously to 
flight, upon the occurrence of a loud noise, or when alarmed, they 
are stretched out to their fullest extent, with their plates widely 
separated, as if to catch the vibrations of the atmosphere. 
On a review of the preceding I think it must be admitted that 
the antennae are clearly proved not to be the organs of smell, 
the only observations at all tending to support their claim to the 
possession of that sense being those on the ichneumon, to which 
I must advert hereafter. 
It has been supposed by many naturalists that insects are 
not endowed with so acute a sense of feeling as other animals, 
though it is evident that the antennae of at least some species pos- 
sess very delicate perceptions, since if they be ever so slightly 
touched the insect withdraws them. This, however, is not the 
case until they are actually brought into contact, whether it be 
with the most inoffensive substance or the most noxious poison. 
The antennae we find, accordingly, are used as organs of touch in 
many insects, though not in all. 
The experiments of Huber on the queen-bee more directly 
prove the existence of the sense of touch in the antennae than any 
others. These observations are known to every naturalist, but 1 
may perhaps be allowed to notice them here in illustration of the 
use of these organs. He cut off one of the antennae and found 
that very little injury was sustained, but on depriving the insect 
of both a decided effect was observable. From that moment she 
traversed the comb rapidly, laid her eggs very irregularly, depo- 
siting them indiscriminately in the cells, retired to the most soli- 
tary parts of the hive, and for a length of time remained motion- 
less. When followed by some of the workers, and treated with 
their usual attention, she seemed to be totally unconscious of it, 
seldom requiring honey from them, and, when such was the case, 
directing her trunk for it with great uncertainty. Contrary to her 
natural habits, she seemed eager to escape from the hive by rush- 
ing towards the entrance, and desisted from the attempt only after 
several fruitless exertions. 
The individual used on this occasion had been retarded in her 
fecundation, and in consequence laid only the eggs of males. 
Huber, afraid that her instinct might have suffered from this 
cause, deprived another female, whose fecundation had not been 
retarded, of the antennae, and introduced her into the hive. Ex- 
actly the same symptoms were exhibited in this as in the other 
