256 



FLASHLIGHTS ON NATURE 



then come the lancets, the lappers, and the tongue, 

 and last of all, the lower lip. 



In No. 12, which is still more highly magnified, 

 we have the essential parts of the blood-sucking 

 apparatus made quite clear for us. Here LBR is 

 the tip of the labrum, or upper lip, forming the front 

 of the groove or sheath in which the lances work. 



Its end is blunt, 

 so as to enable it 

 to be pressed close 

 against the minute 

 hole formed by 

 the lances. MD 

 is the sharp tip 

 of one of the two 

 lances, with its 

 serrated or saw- 

 like cutting-edge ; 

 this is the organ 

 that does the 

 serious work of 

 imperceptibly 

 piercing the skin 

 and the tissues 

 beneath it. MX 



is the tip of one of the maxillae, or blood lappers, 

 which suck or lap up the blood from the wound 

 after the lances have opened it. I need hardly 

 call your attention to the extraordinary delicacy 

 and minuteness of these hard, sharp weapons, 

 strong enough to pierce the tough hide of a 

 horse, yet so small that if represented on the 



NO. 12. THE CUTTING EDGES OF 

 THE LANCETS. 



