358 



THE LIFE OF AN INSECT. 



thickness ; for while the antennae of some insects 

 are as long as, or even longer than, their bodies, 



those of others are 

 very short, and lit- 

 tle prominent ; and 

 while some are as 

 thin and fine as the 

 finest hair, others 

 are nearly as thick 

 as the true body of 

 the insect. Let us 

 now ask what is the 

 use of these singular 



vanou* antenna. 



organs of the insect? 



From a hint which has before been dropped, it 

 is probable that the answer to this question will 

 be readily anticipated. Various facts appear to 

 show that they may be the insect's ears ! " Can 

 it be that such is their function ? " some may ex- 

 claim, calling to mind that ears in other creatures 

 are so different in appearance and structure from 

 these organs. There have been many opinions on 

 the subject, and some have maintained views com- 

 pletely opposed to this idea. But the greater 

 number of entomologists seem to consider this as 



