BONSDORF ON THE ANTENN.E OF INSECTS. 295 



and ought to be accounted as organs contributing to the sense of hear- 

 ing, which inquiry, indeed, all the other external senses being out of 

 the question, requires careful consideration. The exact question 

 arising in this case is twofold ; first, whether insects really hear ; and 

 next, whether sounds, at least the more acute, or any noise whatever, 

 may produce a certain motion or remarkable change in the antenna3. 

 As to the first question, certain writers deny altogether the sense of 

 hearing to insects, among whom are Linnoeus, Bergmann, and a great 

 many others. A few, among whom is Swammerdam, pronounced with 

 modesty, that it is a matter of doubt and obscurity; and fewer still, 

 among whom I am rejoiced to mention the celebrated Lyonet, assert 

 that it is not only probable, but beyond all doubt. 



Although, therefore, in a difference of opinion so great among phi- 

 losophers so distinguished, to remove and settle the controversy will 

 require no ordinary share of ability and experience; yet the various 

 affections of insects which may be brought forward, appear sufficient 

 to me to establish the opinion here stated. 



There are none who know not that there exist many kinds of insects 

 which can produce sounds variously modulated, and sometimes acute 

 buzzing noises, for exciting which they are furnished with proper 

 instruments, 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 them- 

 selves, 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 various nuptial songs of grasshoppers and crickets. 



The more attentive observers and describers 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 return to a peaceful rest in 

 the evening ; another, while they call forth the whole hive in defence 

 of the state against the attacks of enemies ; another, while they clean 

 their hives from filth ; and another, whilst the queen-bee leads forth a 

 swarm to seek new settlements. Now I ask those who deny hearing 

 to insects, what can be the use of sounds so variously modulated, unless 

 the bees can by hearing discriminate those sounds ? 



iElian affirms, that lobsters send forth music from their lurking 

 places, and though we reckon this amongst the fabulous stories of the 



