
DIPTERA. 79 
and forming a more or less obtuse angle (Fig. 56). The first portion 
of the trunk, that which joins the head, is perfectly membraneous 
and in the form of a funnel. We will call it the conical part and 
show it separately (Fig. 57). The second portion terminates in a 

Fig. 56.—Trunk of the Meat-fly. Fig. 57.—Conical part of the trunk. 
thick mass, in part cartilaginous or scaly, and of a shiny brown 
colour. Above the conical portion are two oblong antenne, with- 
out joints, of chesnut colour, and furnished with hairs. 
On ceasing to press the thorax, the membrancous conical por- 
tion may be seen to draw itself back within its sheath (Fig. 58). 
The second portion is at the same time 
drawn into the cavity, but it raises itself 
by forming a more and more acute angle, 
so that when it reaches the opening of the 
cell its length is equal to that of the cell, 
which is quite large enough to receive gig. 58.—Retractile proboscis 
the second portion. The thick part is SP Pa aan 
lengthened and flattened a little, and conceals the trunk. 
Let us cause the trunk to extend itself a second time, in order 
to observe its end minutely. Here the opening is placed, which 
may be looked upon as the mouth of the insect, and is provided 
with two large thick lips (Fig. 59). These lips form a disk, 
perpendicular to the axis of the trunk; the disc 1s oval, and is 
divided into two equal and similar parts by a slit. The lips 
have each a considerable number of parallel 
channels situated perpendicularly to the slit. 
These channels are formed by a succession of 
vessels placed near each other. On pressing 
the trunk we see that these vessels are distended gig, 59.—Extremity on the 
by aliquid. Réaumur, from whom we borrow Nae Beek a 



these details, discovered a few of the uses to which this trunk 

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