OF INSECTS IN GENERAL. 10<) 



Capable of hearing. 



plainly distinguishable from the palpi, which are 

 more numerous, commonly four, sometimes six ; 

 they are placed near the mouth, and are some- 

 times wanting. Some have imagined that the 

 antennae were their organs of hearing ; for it is 

 evident, from various experiments, that insects 

 are possessed of this sense in a degree as exqui- 

 site as most other animals, although, from their 

 minuteness, we perhaps may never discover by 

 what means. 



Mr. Barbut supposes insects to possess the 

 sense of hearing in a very distinct manner. 

 " Many insects," he observes, " are well known 

 to be endowed with the power of uttering sounds, 

 such as large beetles, the bee, wasp, common fly, 

 gnat, &c. the sphinx atropos squeaks when hurt 

 nearly as loud as a mouse. Now, if insects are 

 endowed with the power of uttering sounds, it 

 certainly must be for some purpose. As they 

 vary their cry occasionally, it must certainly be 

 designed either to give notice of pleasure or 

 pain, or some affection in the creature who pos- 

 sesses it. The knowledge of their sounds," says 

 that author, " is undoubtedly confined to their 

 tribe, and is a language intelligible to them only, 

 saving when violence obliges the animal to exert 

 the voice of nature in distress, craving compas- 

 sion ; then all animals understand the doleful 

 cry. For instance, attack a bee or wasp near the 

 hive or nest, or a few of them, the consequence 



