NOISES OF INSECTS. 



329 



are attached to its under or concave surface. Thus the bun- 

 dle of muscles being alternately and briskly relaxed and con- 

 tracted, will by its play draw in and let out the drum: so 

 that its convex surface being thus rendered concave when 

 pulled in, when let out a sound will be produced by the effort 

 to recover its convexity; which, striking upon the mirror 

 and other membranes before it escapes from under the oper- 

 culum, will be modulated and augmented by them. I should 

 imagine that the muscular bundles are extended and con- 

 tracted by the alternate approach and recession of the trunk 

 and abdomen to and from each other. 



And now, my friend, what adorable wisdom, what consum- 

 mate art and skill are displayed in the admirable contrivance 

 and complex structure of this wonderful, this unparalleled ap- 

 paratus ! The Great Creator has placed in these insects 

 an organ for producing and emitting sounds, which in the in- 

 tricacy of its construction seems to resemble that which he 

 has given to man, and the larger animals, for receiving them. 

 Here is a cochlea; a meatus; and, as it should seem, more than 

 one tympanum. 



I am, &c. 



