40G Dr. Kidd on the Anatomtj 



constitute the mouth, excepting the maxillary and labial palpi. 

 In the maxillar}' palpi there are five joints or parts ; in the 

 labial there are three; and the last of these joints in each of 

 the palpi terminates in a rounded extremity, like a pestle : 

 this extremity, which is of a honey-yellow colour, is perfectly 

 smooth, while every other part of the palpi has a rough and 

 hairy surface. In their natural position the palpi are bent and 

 projected forward, so as to I'esemble the foi'e legs of a horse 

 in the act of cantering. 



The antennae, which are situated near the articulation of the 

 mandibles, consist of a great number of minute segments, re- 

 sembling beads of a circular form. The number of these beads, 

 which varies in different instances, is usually from 100 to 110; 

 rarely more or less : but it is worth noticing that in examining 

 the two antennffi of the same individual, I sometimes found the 

 number of beads greater in one than in the other; and as the 

 terminal bead differs in its form fi'om all the rest, the result of 

 the examination is less open to doubt than it would otherwise 

 have been. Each bead is united to the one that precedes and 

 the one that follows it, by means of a soft, white, very flexible 

 membrane ; in consequence of which, and of the number of 

 the joints, the insect can move and bend the antennae with 

 great facility in every direction, excepting at the very root : 

 there the motion is confined by a ridge that only admits of its 

 being directed from behind, forwards, or vice versa. 



The anterior edge of each bead is fringed with bristly hair ; 

 which, surrounding the joint that connects it to the following 

 bead, gives to the whole, when viewed by a magnifying lens, 

 the appearance of a sprig of Eqtdsetwn. The beads are upon 

 the whole larger, in proportion as they are nearer to the origin 

 of the antennae ; but here and there, and without any regularity 

 in the variation, one of the beads is either much larger or much 

 smaller than those in the vicinity. 



Whatever be the primary use of the antennae and palpi (on 

 which subject entomologists are not agreed), their general im- 

 portance is allowed by all, and is evinced in the particular in- 

 stance now before us by the extraordinary attention bestowed 

 upon them by this insect. Those who may be led to watch 

 its habits will repeatedly observe the antennae bent forwards 

 and downwards, by a curious application of the fore legs to- 

 wards the mouth : and then by a regulated motion, not unlike 

 that by which the resin is applied to the bow of a violin, they 

 are passed between the maxillae ; in order, as it would appear, 

 either to moisten the organs, or to disengage from their sur- 

 face particles of dust or other extraneous substances which 

 may have accidentally adhered lo it. With a more rapid mo- 

 tion 



