264 SENSES OF INSECTS. 



and even those in the hard rhinarium of an Anoplogna- 

 thus may receive and transmit them ; and besides the 

 upper-lip and nose are often united by membrane, perhaps 

 representing the rhinarium, as in Goerius, &c. a ^which 

 may facilitate such transmission. 



That insects taste, no^one hesitates to believe, though 

 some have supposed the palpi to be the organ of that 

 sense ; but as they have a tongue, as we have shown, we 

 may with Cuvier conclude, that one of its primary func- 

 tions is to taste their food 5 . I shall not therefore launch 

 out further upon this head. 



I have now placed before you a picture, or rather 

 sketch, of the insect world. And whether we regard their 

 general history and economy, their singular metamor- 

 phoses, the infinite varieties and multiplicity of their 

 structure both external and internal, and their diversi- 

 fied organs both of sense and motion I think you will 

 be disposed to own, that in no part of his works is the 

 hand of an ALMIGHTY and ALL- WISE CREATOR more vi- 

 sibly displayed, than in these minutiae of creation ; that 

 they are equally worthy of the attention and study of the 

 Christian Philosopher with any of the higher depart- 

 ments of the animal kingdom ; and that all praise is due 

 to Him, for placing before our eyes, for our entertain- 

 ment and instruction, such a beautiful moving picture of 

 little symbols and agents, perpetually reflecting his glory 

 and working his will. 



I am, &c. 



- 1 VOL. III. p, 481. h Cuv. Anat.Comp. ii. 682-. 



