8o 



LIVING CREATURES. 



other. The foot is quite as wonderful as the eye, for 

 its construction shows how the fly can walk with its 

 back downwards, and on smooth surfaces. 



On the last joints of the foot are a pair of claws under 

 each of which is a pad or soft cushion. For a long time 

 it was supposed that the pads were hollow like cups, 

 and adhered to the surface by pressing out the air. 

 This has been found to be a 

 mistake. The latest discov- 

 eries, as given by Prof. C. V: 

 Riley, prove that the pads are 

 beset by ever so many knobbed 

 hairs, as shown in the drawing. 

 From each hair flows a fluid 

 which keep,s its end or disk 

 moist, and enables it to stick. 

 The smoother the surface the 

 more closely will the hairs stick. 

 On rougher surfaces, like a 

 Fiys Foot Magnified. whitewashed or papered wall, 

 the delicate claws are able to cling to the microscopic 

 unevenness, without aid from the hairs. 



Where are the fly's ears? The sense of touch is 

 chiefly in the antennae which project like horns from 

 the forehead. Some other insects, as the cricket, have 

 very long antennae. The fine hairs on the legs, also, 

 have the power of feeling. But there are no ears to 

 be found. 



It is equally difficult to find the fly's nose. But it is 

 evident that it can smell. Careful and continued ob- 

 servation has proved that the fly and most other insects 

 feel, hear, and smell with their antennae. A sort of 



