186 ORGANS OF HEARING. 
form, they have the advantage of regulating the 
degree of vibration at pleasure, as may indeed be 
observed when insects listen with attention; I 
mean, that the joints of the antenne perform the 
same functions as the chain of small bones in the 
chamber of the human ear, inasmuch as they form 
a similar chain, and transmit the vibrations of the 
air to the auditory pulp.” * 
On this subject, Bonsdorf says, ‘ There are 
none who know not that there exist many kinds 
of insects which can produce sounds variously mo- 
dulated, and sometimes acute buzzing noises, for 
exciting which they are furnished with proper in- 
struments, which will be explained more fully (if 
it please God) on another opportunity. 
«We ought not surely then to represent as useless 
to the insects themselves, the voice at one time 
fierce, at another the pure messenger of joy, heard 
whilst we enter the woods and groves, or walk 
through the meadows, resounding at one time with 
the shrilling of gnats, and at another with the va- 
rious nuptial songs of grashoppers and crickets. 
« The more attentive observers and deseribers of 
the economy of the honey bees, mention differences 
in their sounds, such as a humming early in the 
morning when the working bees go out upon their 
flower. choosing excursions ; another, whilst they re- 
* See Mield Naturalists Magazine, i. pp. 60, 61. 
