CHAPTER II. 
The Parts of an Insect. 
The main parts of an insect have been given as 
head, thorax, and abdomen. Let us consider these 
parts with reference to their special features. 
1. The Head.—This is of various shapes and sizes. 
It may be firmly attached to the thorax without 
any apparent neck or there may be some appear¬ 
ance of a neck. In many insects the head is 
attached to the thorax by a mere thread. This is 
true of the dragon-fly and the house-fly. The head 
may be moved freely from side to side. It is easily 
detached. The head bears various appendages 
among which may be mentioned the eyes, ocelli, 
antennae, mouth-parts, and various hairs, bristles, 
etc. 
2. The Thorax.—This seems to be a very im¬ 
portant part of the body. It possesses a wonderful 
system of muscles for manipulating the six legs and 
four wings of the insect. It is made up of three 
rings or segments. These rings have names which 
need not be taught to children. They are (a) the 
prothorax, bearing the first pair of legs (prolegs), 
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