THE EXO-SKELETON OF THE PROBOSCIS. 



'35 



The Clypeus (Figs. 2 j, j c, and 25, 6) forms the external dorsal 

 portion of the fulcrum, or cephalo-pharyngeal skeleton. This 

 supports the haustellum at its distal extremity. 



The Palpigerous Scales and Palpi. — On each side of the rostrum, 

 near its apex, there is a convex scale (PI. VI., p s), which sup- 

 ports a single-jointed clavate palpus — the maxillary palpus — at 

 its inner proximal angle. These scales are united in many of 

 the Diptera by a curved plate of chitin, which embraces the 

 posterior surface of the rostrum. 



Sesamoid Sclerites. — I apply this term to two small nodulated 

 fusiform rods of chitin close to the apex of the rostrum on its 



Fig. 27. — A portion of the Proboscis of the Blow-fly, showing the relations of the 

 prelabrum with the theca ligula and pharynx : ap, apodeme of the labrum ; 

 pli, the pharynx ; /y, hyoid sclerite ; ///;, prepharyngeal tube ; >■ >; part of the 

 rostrum ; ///, the prelabrum ; lig, the ligula ; // /; h, the haustellum ; ,c,(, sesamoid 

 sclerite ; //' s, thyroid sclerite ; vi »i, muscles ; Ir, trachea ; IJ, lingual, and sd, 

 salivary ducts ; sv, salivary valve. 



ventral aspect. They give insertion to the long retractor 

 muscles of the rostrum (Fig. 27, ss). 



The Haustellum, or middle joint of the proboscis, consists of 

 two valves, a large ventral or posterior valve, which I shall 

 term the thcca, and a narrow styliform dorsal or anterior valve, 

 the prelabrum. 



The prelabrum lies in a groove on the anterior face of the 

 theca, the edges of which overlap it. The theca ends distally 

 in the great two-lobed oral disc, or sucker. 



The Oral Sucker is a fleshy oval disc, deeply cleft at its anterior 



