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85 
Notwithstanding the conclusions of Dr. Hicks, he could not help 
thinking that one of the functions of the antennz was that of smell. 
In those moths, which exhibit “ sembling,” that is, the attracting the 
males by the female from long distances, not only the shape of the 
antennz in the sexes differed in a marked degree, but the pectination 
in the males was very deep, and the number of hairs many times 
greater than in the female, while the organs pointed out by Dr. Hicks 
were more numerous. 
It was a good time of year for such members as might feel an 
interest in the subject to investigate the matter for themselves ; and he 
would advise that not only the method of bleaching recommended for 
rendering the antennz more transparent be adopted, but that sections 
similar to those so admirably made by Dr. Hallifax be tried, and so 
some further light might be thrown, either way, on these organs, 
though the question whether they be confined to one sense, or whether 
they perform the office at times assigned to them of common sensation 
might not be made out to demonstration. The process recommended 
for bleaching by Dr. Hicks was one drachm chlorate of potash, one 
drachm and a half water ; mix ina small wide-mouth bottle holding 
about an ounce : after five minutes add 14 drachm of strong hydro- 
chloric acid. In this mixture place antennz, and let them remain 
from a few hours to a week, according to their nature. 
In the discussion which followed, Dr. Hallifax said that some years 
ago, without any preconceived idea, Dr. Addison followed out the 
experiments indicated by Dr. Hicks, but failed to come to the same 
conclusion as that gentleman. As to the actual functions of these re- 
markable organs he would not attempt to express an opinion, but it 
would certainly seem that insects possessed some sense with which we 
were not acquainted, or that their senses, if the same as ours, were far 
more exalted. The idea of Dr. Hicks—as to the antennz being 
organs of hearing—was now, it appeared, by no means generally 
accepted. 
Mr. WonroRrelated some further wonderful instances of “sembling” 
ot that tended to corroborate the remarks of Dr. Hallifax. Hehad found 
_ by repeated instances that the males would come direct to the females 
_ from incredibly long distances, as long as the wind was right for the 
“scent” (if such it was), but placed in the other direction, even at a 
_ Short distance, no notice was taken. He had even known males 
attracted by the female in this way when the latter was inside a room 
and the windows closed. Wonderful to say, too, when once impregna- 
tion had taken place, the attractive power, whatever its nature, ceased 
