186 01IGANS OF HEARING. 



form, they have the advantage of regulating the 

 degree of vibration at pleasure, as may indeed b 

 observed when insects listen with attention ; 1 

 mean, that the joints of the antennae perform the 

 same functions as the chain of small bones in the 

 chamber of the human ear, inasmuch as they fornu 

 a similar chain, and transmit the vibrations of ihm 

 air to the auditory pulp." ~ : 



On this subject, Bonsdorf says, " There arm 

 none who know not that there exist many kindB 

 of insects which can produce sounds variously mol 

 dulated, and sometimes acute buzzing noises, foB 

 exciting which they are furnished with proper in- 

 struments, which will be explained more fully (if 

 it please God) on another opportunity. 



" We ought not surely then to represent as useleSj 

 to the insects themselves, the voice at one tirmi 

 fierce, at another the pure messenger of joy, heard 

 whilst we enter the woods and groves, or walk 

 through the meadows, resounding at one time with 

 the shrilling of gnats, and at another with the va-< 

 rious nuptial songs of grashoppers and crickets. 



" The more attentive observers and describers oi 

 the economy of the honey bees, 'mention differen< 

 in their sounds, such as a humming early in t 

 morning when the working bees go out upon th 

 flower, choosing excursions; another, whilst they ; 



* See Field Naturalist's Magazine, i. pp. CO, 61. 



