liEriDOPTEKA. 



235 



of from one to three joints, the terminal one being small and 

 pointed. They are recurved in front of the head, on each side 

 of the spiral tongue, and are 

 covered with hairs ; their func- 

 tion, as touchers or feelers, 

 seeming to be lost. The man- 

 dibles are rudimentary, consist- 

 ing of a pair of horny tubercles, 

 partly concealed by the front 

 edge of the clypeus. The 

 maxillte, on the other hand, 

 are remarkably developed. In 

 their rudimentary state, as in Attacus, they form a pair of 

 grooved blades, the hollowed sides being opposed and held 



Fig. 175. 



Fig. 173. Fig. 174. 



together by a row of minute teeth, thus forming a canal. The 

 insect sucks through this long tube the sweets of flowers. 



Fig. 176. Fig. 177. Fig. 178. Fig. 179. 



The "tongue" is often nearly as long as the body of the insect 

 itself, and when, at rest, is rolled up and held between the 

 palpi. At its base are the minute rudimental maxillary palpi, 



