MICROSCOPIC OBJECTS. 



Fig. 141. Proboscis of Humming -Bird Hawk-Moth (Macro- 

 glossa stellatarum) , x 20. 



The antlia, or, as it is commonly called, the proboscis, of 

 the Lepidoptera is an organ most beautifully adapted for its 

 purpose, which is to convey the honey of flowers to the mouth 

 of the insect. It is composed of two maxillse containing a 

 great number of strong muscular bands. These maxillse 

 when separate are convex on the outer and concave on the 

 inner side ; so when they are joined together they form a tube 

 (see drawing) ; inside this tube are often found a number of 

 tracheae communicating with the head, and in some species 

 the tip of the proboscis is furnished with a number of papillse. 



The antlia may be mounted in a cell with strong acetic 

 acid ; or placed in diluted potassa fusa for two hours, well 

 washed, dried under pressure, and mounted in balsam. 



Fig. 142. Scales of the Six-spot Burnet-Moth, in situ 

 (Zygsena filipendulse) , x 100. 



All Moths and Butterflies, and a few other insects, are fur- 

 nished with a large number of minute epidermal bodies called 

 scales ; and it is these scales that give the gorgeous colouring 

 to the wings of the various species. The scales vary much 

 in size, shape, and colour ; they are inserted into the mem- 

 brane of the wing by the short stalks which fit into the cups 

 or holes placed in the membrane (see drawing) . These flat 

 scales are generally ranged in rows, and overtop each other 

 in the same way as the scales of a fish. 



To show the scales well, it is best to mount the wing in an 

 opaque cell ; or if wanted to show their attachments in situ, 

 the wing must be rubbed and then mounted in a dry trans- 

 parent cell, which is best made of cardboard. 



