THE BUTTERFLIES OF THE RRITISH ISLES. 



as were the very differently constructed strong biting jaws 

 (inandibles) of its caterpillar existence. These latter in the 

 butterfly are only microscopically represented, and the suction- 

 tube of the perfect insect is an extension of the maxillae, which 

 in the caterpillar are not conspicuous. When not engaged in 

 probing the nectaries of flowers for the sweets they contain, 

 the suction-tube is neatly coiled up between the palpi (Fig. 6, U). 

 Its great flexibility is due to the many rings of which it is com- 

 posed. Although seemingly entire, it is really made up of two 

 tubes, each being grooved on its inner side, and forming, when 



ST 



J 



Fig. 7. 

 Antennae of Butterflies. 



the edges are brought together, an additional central canal, 

 through which the sweets from the flowers and other liquids are 

 drawn up into a bulb-like receptacle in the head, whence it passes 

 into the stomach. When it is remembered that the passage of 

 sweet, and no doubt sticky, fluid through the central tube would 

 most probably result in its walls becoming clogged, there is 

 reason to suppose that the method of construction permits of 

 the canal being cleansed from time to time. 



The important divisions of the body are the thorax and the 

 abdomen. The former is made up of three segments (named 

 the pro-, meso-, and meta-thorax), each of which, as in the 

 caterpillar state, is furnished with a pair of legs ; the second and 



