Beautiful Butterflies. 37 



clearly known, although it is thought most likely to be 

 the transmission of air for the purposes of respiration or 

 breathing, which, however, is mainly carried on by 

 means of pores, or very minute openings in the sides of 

 the body, called stigmata, from stigma, a mark, these 

 pores presenting the appearance, under the microscope, 

 of little pits or dots. Near the outer extremity of the 

 trunk, which, when not in use, is curled up like the 

 spring of a watch, are generally a number of projections 

 resembling leaflets ; a scientific naturalist would call 

 them papilla, the Latin for nipples. Reaumur supposes 

 that the use of these is to steady the organ, by adhering 

 to the sides of the flowers into which they are inserted. 

 In order that my readers may have a clearer understand- 

 ing of the structure of this wonderful little instrument, 

 I have caused three cuts to be executed. A is a mag- 



nified view of the trunk, exhibiting its general form, 

 and the papillce near the tip. B is a highly magnified 



