242 
Mr. G. Newport on the 
The Blattce employ their antennae in a manner similar to the 
Acridce, moving them about in different directions, and exploring 
objects with them. The Trichoptera, Stephens, carry the antennae 
directed forwards, like the Ichneumons, and sometimes use them 
as tactors. This also is the case with some of the Coleoptera. 
The Tclcphoridce, when in motion, carry their antennae directed 
forwards, vibrating them rapidly, and sometimes, but rarely, 
touching objects with them. The Carah'i use theirs in a similar 
manner, but more frequently as tactors than the Telephoridce ; 
and it seems from our previous experiments* that at least one 
genus of insects with capitated antennae ( Lucani ) employ them as 
tactors, but they cannot be so used excepting only by such as 
have the organs of considerable length. Whether those with 
moniliform antennae, as the Tenebriones, Staphylini, &c., employ 
them as tactors, I have not had opportunity of observing ; at least 
the Staphylini appear to use them in this way occasionally, but 
whether the Tenebrio does so is much to be questioned, since they 
appear to be almost always directed forwards and upwards. 
It is thus evident that many insects use the antennae as tactors; 
and these are mostly such as have them of the filiform or seta- 
ceous structure. Yet there are many that have them even of these 
forms that never use them as organs of touch, although they are 
of such a length as would enable the insect to do so with the 
greatest convenience. Among these are many of the Sphinges and 
Phalcence, Lin., as well as some Papiliones. There are others that 
have the antennae of these forms, but which, on account of their 
shortness, cannot be used as tactors, for which purpose indeed 
their diagonal direction, and apparent rigidity and want of muscles 
for motion, would alone disqualify them. Of this all the Cicadce , 
Notoneclce, Libellulce, Ephemerce , some Culices , and many others, 
are instances. There are also a vast number of other insects in 
each of the orders, in which, from their very different structure, we 
cannot regard the antennae as tactors. In some of these the organs 
are capitated, and the caput divided into plates. The whole of 
the Linnaean Scarabcei have this form. Now we could hardly 
suppose that an organ composed of a foot-stalk of joints, and 
surmounted by a plated knob, could be designed for the sense of 
feeling, and the manner in which these insects letract the antennae 
when touched accidentally at once assures us they are not ; besides 
which, in the generality of these insects, they would be too short. 
When they are so used by some Coleoptera, as by the Lucani, it 
appears to be but a secondary faculty, and in such instances the 
* Page 237. 
