INTRODUCTION. 
9 
its upper surface until it readies the orifice of the tube 
formed by the approximation of the maxillse above, 
and of the labial palpi and this part of the ligula 
below.” 
We pass from the mouth of the bee and the Hymen - 
optera generally to that of the Lepidoptera , the 
Butterfly and Moth tribe, in which we find a complete 
adaptation for suction ; the 
long spiral trunk of the 
butterfly is familiar to 
everyone. Here the labium 
and mandibles are quite 
rudimentary, being three 
small triangular - shaped 
plates difficult to make out, 
being concealed by the 
thick hairs which clothe 
butterflies heads; but the 
inaxillm are immensely 
elongated and are united 
along their inner surfaces, 
forming by the junction 
of the two grooves, which are channelled out along 
their inner surfaces, a long tube through which the 
insect sucks the juices of flowers. This proboscis or 
Jiaustellium varies much in length; some lepidoptera 
require no food in their adult stage, and here the organ 
is small; but in the hawk moths, which gather the 
juices from flowers without alighting, the haustellium 
is sometimes two inches long. On the tips of butter¬ 
flies' tongues are often to be found small conical shaped 
papillse, which are supposed to be organs of taste. 
Head of Sphinx-Moth (magnified). 
a, Upper lip. b, Mandibles, c, Maxilla). 
d, Lower lip. e, Antenna, f, Eye. 
