82 



NATURE S TEACHINGS. 



In the middle is the compound piercing apparatus of the 

 common Flea, with which we are sometimes too well acquainted, 

 the upper figure showing the lancets and sheaths together, and 

 the lower exhibiting them when separated. 



On the right is shown the group of mouth-lancets belonging 

 to one of the Humble-bee flies (Bombylius). These flies do 

 not suck blood like the Mosquito, the Flea, and the Gad-fly, 

 but they use the long proboscis for sucking the sweet juices 

 out of flowers, and in consequence it is nearly of the same 

 form as if it were meant for sucking blood. Indeed, there are 

 some insects which do not seem to care very much whether 

 the juice which they suck is animal or vegetable. 



On the right hand of the illustration is seen an Indian 

 sword, or " Tulwar," drawn from one of my own specimens. 

 I have selected this example, on account of the structure of the 

 sheath. It is evident, from the form of the blade, that the 

 sword cannot be sheathed point foremost, and that therefore 



6 CLAW. SHEATH OPEXTKQ ALONG 

 THE CUBVED BACK. 



INDIA* TULWAR. SHEATH OPEXIXO 

 ALONG THE CUBVED BACK. 



some other plan must be used. In this weapon the sheath is 

 left open on one side, the two portions being held together 

 by the straps which are shown in the figure. Of course there 

 is loss of time in sheathing and drawing such a sword, but the 

 peculiar shape of the blade entails a necessity for a special 

 scabbard. . 



On the other side is shown one of the fore-claws of a cat, 

 which, as we all know, can be drawn back into its simple 



