JANUARY. 11 



The antennse are the two movable appendages, like horns, 

 which are so characteristic of insects ; they are of various 

 forms, and assist greatly in determining the genera ; it is 

 therefore necessary that the student should be acquainted 

 with the principal varieties they assume, and the names by 

 which they are distinguished. Some authors present a 

 formidable list, but the most common are as follows: Seta- 

 ceous, when they gradually taper towards the extremity. 

 Clavate, when they grow thicker from the base. Filiform, 

 when of an equal thickness throughout. Moniliform, when 

 composed of a series of knots resembling a string of beads* 

 Capitate, when they terminate in a knob. Fissile when the 

 knob is divided longitudinally, into laminae or plates. Per- 

 foliate, having the knob divided horizontally. Pectinate, 

 having a longitudinal series of processes like hairs projecting 

 from them in the form of a comb. Plumose, when they 

 resemble a feather. Prismatic, when like a prism, or formed 

 of three sides. Fusiform, small at the two extremities 

 and thick in the centre, like a spindle. Furcate, when 

 the antennae are divided into two branches like a fork. 



The number of joints in the antennae varies considerably. 

 Coleopterous insects have in general eleven joints ; the 

 stinging portion of the order Hymenoptera twelve or thir- 



