170 INTRODUCTION 
structures very closely together. These arrangements keep the two maxillae in as 
close contact as possible, at the same time making the canal practically air-tight, 
without, however, interfering with the flexibility of the whole organ. 
The proboscis of the Lepidoptera, which is sometimes very long, is rolled up 
under the thorax when not in use. To render this possible the outer chitinous walls 
of the laciniae are transversely striated. 
By means of this simple arrangement, says Hermann Miller (‘Fertilisation,’ p. 5), 
Lepidoptera are able to penetrate flowers of the most varied forms, both flat and 
long-tubed, and to feed on their nectar. Peculiar stiff, pointed appendages at the 
ends of the laciniae (Fig. 71, 3) also enable them to tear open delicate succulent 
tissues, and they are therefore able to utilize the sap of such flowers as do not 
secrete free nectar. That they actually make use of this apparatus has been proved 
by direct observation, for Lepidoptera are now and then to be found sucking flowers 
which secrete no free nectar, e.g. Cytisus Laburnum, Erythraea Centaurium, and 
the like. At the Cape, Lepidoptera damage peaches and plums by boring through the 
epidermis with their proboscis at spots that are quite intact (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., 
London, xxiv, 1869). 
The length of the proboscis of Lepidoptera varies greatly, as the following 
table shows :— 
mm. 
Bombycidae . . . . . . . - I=4 (exceptionally up to 10) 
oj gC Ailing ke ROMER, AR MMI 
Geometridae .':35 . 6000 0 ye 
POBEDIORG! hrs! ete, hte ee 
DOcHUdRE suds Pete ie. «ls NED 
Plusia gamma. . aj . . «TpH26 
Rhopaloceray jo 5. eee... (pees 
Lycaena semiargus. . . . . 4-8 
Argynnis. Pales’.. wo.) soy GTS 
Vanessa Atalanta... . . I3-14 
ue CANOE ap. Bue OR 
sh UTTER oe a. in fh 2, uaa 
“ bay hea aR IRE, hg 17 
Papilio Machaon. . . . . . 18-20 
Parhassias Apollo... 5s) .¢ sietaeeeee 
Anthocharis cardamines . . . 12 
Pieris arassiete 0 16 
ss) MIE se on one 
pC Ourepae st. i) S00 RB ee 
Rhodocera rhamni . . . . . 16-17 
Coenonympha Pamphilus. . . 7 
Epinephele Janira . .) .. . 10 
Spaimgidac: (00! 2) 2% VEE RAE ee Bi 
Smerinthus tiliae =... 70 3 
Macroglossa stellatarum . . . 25-28 
Splunk lionstr) 2.) 4.1.0 aaa 
a, convolvuli . . . . . 65-80 
