180 



ORGANS OF HEARING. 



THERE is no part of the physiology of insect^ 

 more interesting, and yet still in such doubt, ai 

 whether or not they enjoy the sense of hearing in 

 the same manner as other animals. 



Professor Rennie has published, in the F'n>ld 

 Naturalist's Magazine, several papers containing) 

 some very interesting discussions on this subject^ 

 which we shall endeavour to condense, adding suchj 

 matter as occurs to us as throwing light on this inJ 

 tricate suject. In the first place, he has translate^ 

 Straus-Diirckheim's excellent paper, from his work 

 on articulated animals. 



It is now generally believed that the antenna) 

 are the organs of hearing ; and this idea is stronglyi 

 supported by Durckheim. In condemning the notion 

 of their being the organs of touch, he says, " Many 

 insects, besides, have their antennae so short, that 

 they would be obliged to stand erect on the crown 

 of their heads in order to come at the bodies which 

 they might thus wish to explore, and for this their 

 feet are much better adapted. 



" Since almost all articulated animals possessing 

 a solid skin have antennae, which are furnished 



