mSECTS : TUELR MOUTHS. 167 



isos the unfortunates wlio have to sleep at some villao-e 

 imi. 



"Well, we put this head with its sucker between the 

 plates of the compressorium, upon the microscope-stage. 

 The thread is an organ composed of four lengthened 

 slender joints, beset with scattered bristles, and termin- 

 ating in a point on which are placed a number of ex- 

 cessively minute radiating warts, — probably the seat of 

 some sensation, — perhaj^s taste. Tliis jointed organ is 

 the under-lip ; it is slit all down one surface, so that it 

 foi-ms an imperfect tube, or furrow, within which lies 

 the real weapon, a wire of far greater tenuity, which by 

 pressure I can force out of its sheath. It is so slender 

 that its average diameter is not more than t2'o o^h of 

 an inch, and it ends in the most acute point ; yet this 

 is not a single body, but consists of four distinct wires, 

 lying within one another, and representing the maxillae 

 and the mandibles. These can be separated by the in- 

 sect, and will sometimes open when under examination ; 

 but no instrument that I can apply to them is suffi- 

 ciently delicate to effect their separation at my pleas- 

 ure. Just at the very tip, however, under this high 

 power, we can see, by the semi-transparency of the 

 amber-coloured chitine of which the organ is composed, 

 that there is another tip a little shorter, and as it were 

 contained within the other. This inner point is cut 

 along its edges into saw-teeth pointing backward. 

 Such exquisite mechanism is bestowed upon the struc- 

 ture, and such elaborate contrivance is displayed for the 

 comfort of an obscure and obscene insect, by Him who 

 has not disdained to-exercise his skill and wisdom in its 

 creation ! 



You know the stout flies which are denominated 



