DIPTERA. 79 
and forming a more or less obtuse angle (Fig.56). The first portion 
of the trunk, that which joins the head, is perfectly membranous 
and in the form of a funnel. We will call it the conical part, and 
show it separately (Fig. 57).. The second portion terminates in a 

Fig. 56.—Trunk of the Meat-fly. Fig. 57.—Conical part of the trunk. 
thick mass, in part cartilaginous or scaly, and of a shiny brown 
colour. Above.the conical portion are two oblong antenne, with- 
out joints, of chestnut colour, and furnished with hairs. 
On ceasing to press the thorax, the membranous conical portion 
may be seen to draw itself back within its sheath (Fig. 58). The 
second portion is at the same time drawn 
into the cavity, but it raises itself by 
forming a more and more acute angle, 
so that when it reaches the opening of 
the cell it is parallel with, and its length 
“is equal to, that of the cell, which is ia neehnste resumen 
quite large enough to receive it. The Cartes portlertiy. 
base lengthens and flattens a little, and conceals the trunk. 
Let us cause the trunk to extend itself a second time, in order 
to observe its tip minutely. Here the opening is placed, which 
may be looked upon as the mouth of the insect, and is provided 
with two large thick lps (Fig. 59). These lips form a disk, 
perpendicular to the axis of the trunk; the disk is oval, and is 
divided into two equal and similar parts by a slit. The lips 
have each a considerable number of parallel 
channels situated perpendicularly to the sht. 
These channels are formed by a succession of 
vessels placed near each other. On pressing 
the trunk we see that these vessels are distended sl ian oe 
by a liquid. Réaumur, from whom we borrow proboscis of a fly. 
these details, discovered a few of the uses to which this trunk 


