WINGS OF INSECTS. 137 



LESSON XXVII. 



TRUNK OR TONGUE OP INSECTS WINGS FEET. 



THE tongue of insects is a highly curious instru- 

 ment, and should be rather termed a proboscis or 

 trunk. A good idea may be had of its uses and 

 form, by looking at that of the huge elephant 

 Many insects live chiefly on honey and other 

 liquids, and in these instances the proboscis serves 

 as a syringe or sucking-pump. The proboscis of 

 butterflies is very long, and curled up, like a spiral 

 wire. This the creature can unfold at pleasure, 

 and insert into flowers, at the bottom of which the 

 honey lies. The bee may be observed, ranging 

 from "flower to flower," busily thrusting its 

 tongue into them, and loading itself with sweets. 

 The common fly has a proboscis shaped like a club, 

 through which it will speedily imbibe a drop of 

 milk, or a few grains of sugar. It is curious to 

 watch how cleverly it uses this organ, and how 

 busy it generally is with it. Other insects, as the 

 gad-fly and the gnat, feed chiefly upon the blood 

 or juices of larger animals. In these the tongue 

 serves as a borer to pierce the skin, which has first 

 to be penetrated, before they can reach their food. 

 When this is done, then it becomes a sucker, and 

 draws the liquids into their stomachs. 



Many insects are provided with wings of the 

 most beautiful texture and appearance. Those of 



