ANTENNA OF MELOLONTHA 101 



modern observations be correct, these tiny 

 cavities have an important duty to perform, 

 and a great gain has been made with regard 

 to our knowledge of this creature. 



Dr. Hicks, in his work On a New Structure 

 in the Antennce of Insects, seems to show 

 conclusively that the sense of hearing is 

 inseparably connected with these innumerable 

 concavities spread over the divisions or 

 appendages that make up an antenna. 



Burmeister suggests that a soft articulating 

 membrane at the base of each antenna, which 

 can be rendered tense or otherwise by the 

 movements of the antenna, represents the 

 drum of the ear ; also that it is so placed as 

 to receive impressions of sound vibrations. 



That the insects possess the sense of hearing 

 need not be doubted. 



The wonderful antennae of the melolontha 

 doubtless have special duties to perform as 

 well as to act as receivers of sound waves. 

 They are organs of touch; this sense is 

 bestowed upon all insects, and to judge from 

 the perfection of the structures which some 



