INSECTS : THEIR MOUTHS. 1 79 



its commencement at the apex, it occnpies nearly the 

 whole breadth of the organ, and is smaller than at its 

 termination near the mouth, where the concavity or 

 groove does not occupy more than about one-third of 

 the breadth. In some species, the extremity of each 

 maxilla is furnished along its anterior and lateral mar- 

 gin with a great number of mwwViQ. pa])ill(2. These, in 

 Vanessa Atalanta (the Eed Admiral Butterfly) for in- 

 stance, form little barrel-shaped bodies, furnished at the 

 free end with three or more marginal teeth, and a larger 

 pointed body in the centre. There are seventy -four of 

 these in each maxilla, or half the proboscis. Mr. New- 

 port regards them as probably organs of taste. There 

 are also some curious appendages arranged along the 

 inner anterior margin of each maxilla, in the form of 

 minute hooks, which, when the proboscis is extended, 

 serve to unite the two halves together, by the points of 

 the hooks in one half being inserted into little depres- 

 sions between the teeth of the opposite side ; sometimes 

 these are furnished with a tooth below their tips. 



With all deference for so respectable an authority, 

 [ cannot help seeing that such is not the structure of the 

 intlia before us. It is evident to me that each half tube 

 is composed of a membrane stretched upon stiff horny 

 semi-rings, doubtless composed of chitine, and certainly 

 not muscular. By bringing the outline of the rounded 

 exterior into focus, we see that these rings form sharp 

 ridires ; and by tracing them onwards to the attenuated 

 extremity of the organ, we see them gradually give way 

 to transverse lines of interrupted ridgy warts upon the 

 outside of the membrane. Tlie true muscles appear to 

 be indicated by those oblique lines and bands that are 

 seen in the interior, beneath the horny rings. 



