AUDITORY APPARATUS OF THE MOSQUITO. 589 
between these co-vibrating parts of the animal and the develop- 
ment of its nervous system will authorize us to state that these 
are really the auditory organs of the insect. At this stage of the 
investigation I began a search through the zoological journals, and 
found nearly all that I could desire in a paper, in vol. iii, 1855, of 
the Quarterly Journal of the Microscopical Society, entitled ** Au- 
ditory apparatus of the Culex Mosquito, by Christopher Johnston, 
M. D., Baltimore, U. 8.” 
In this excellent paper I found clear statements showing that 
its talented author had surmised the existence of some of the 
physical facts which my experiments and observations have es- 
tablished.* To show that anatomical facts conform to the hy- 
pothesis that the antennal fibrils are the auditory organs of the 
mosquito, I cannot do better than quote the following from Dr. 
Johnston’s paper : 
“While bearing in mind the difference between feeling a noise 
and perceiving a vibration, we may safely assume with Carus—for 
a great number of insects, at least,—that whenever true auditory 
organs are developed in them, their seat is- to be found in the 
neighborhood of the antenne. That these parts themselves are, 
in some instances, concerned in collecting and transmitting 80- 
horous vibrations, we hold as established by the observations we 
have made, particularly upon the Culex mosquito ; while we believe, 
as Newport has asserted in general terms, that they serve also as 
tactile organs, 
“The male mosquito differs considerably, as is well known, from 
the female ; his body being smaller and of a darker color, and his 
head furnished with antennee and palpi in a state of greater de- 
velopment. (Fig. 92.) Notwithstanding the fitness of his organs 
or predatory purposes, he is timid, seldom entering dwellings or 
anoying man, but restricts himself to damp and foul places, es- 
pecially sinks and privies. The female, on the other hand, gives 
steater extension to her flight, and attacking our race, is the 
Occasion of no inconsiderable disturbance and vexation during 
the summer and autumn months. . 
“The head of the male mosquito, about 0-67 mm. wide, is pro- 
LEE ES Re aR malo tae aaa 
*A short time before the d i Agassiz, h 
: eath of my friend, Prof. 3 
Words: “T can hardly express my delight at ing your letter. I pn ar aS 
“Pon one of the most fertile mines for the elucidation of a problem which to this day 
is a puzzle to ing in Articulates.” 
ts, the seat of the organ of hearing in 
