924 Marvels of the Universe 
nerves, so it may be that some moths are not attracted 
towards the lights, while to others every bright light 
becomes an irresistible vortex. 
On the other hand, it may appear that butterflies 
and some moths possess very keen powers of vision, 
judging by their rapid manner of taking flight when 
we approach and try to capture them. We must not, 
however, necessarily conclude that these insects have 
seen or even heard us coming towards them, because 
in that case we are judging their movements by our 
own senses. Slight currents of air may have affected 
some of their problematic organs of sense, and they 
may have /elé our approach, or even detected it by 
senses with which we are not familiar. As a some- 
what analogous instance, it is well known that bats, 
when their eyes are covered, or completely destroyed, 
can avoid intricate obstacles during their flight, and 
find their way back to their nesting-holes. The whole 
subject of the senses of insects is a very fascinating 
one, and I shall again refer to it when considering the 
THE WING OF THE PEACOCK BUTTERFLY. 
To show the marvellous arrangement of the count- 
feelers of these animals. 
Fae el | SE A Teena eG WT Lert ea a Immediately in front of the face are the three- 
EmGuSa Swaine: jointed palpi, which vary considerably in form with 
different genera, and are often beautifully clothed with scales and hairs. These organs again 
serve sensory functions, but it is extremely difficult to locate their particular economy. 
From between the palps the long, flexible proboscis 
appears, which is uncoiled to sip the sweet nectar from 
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the depths of flowers, and in some cases to feast at a 
filthy puddle, or upon the juices of some putrefying car- 
case of a dead animal. The majestic Purple Emperor 
Butterfly, which soars at lofty heights above the tops 
of tall oak trees, often descends to the earth in search 
of such carrion, and then becomes so engrossed in its 
feast that it may be captured without difficulty. 
Although often no thicker than a fine hair, the pro- 
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boscis consists of two gristly tubes which connect on 
their inner side by means of innumerable minute fibrils, 
much after the manner of the barbs of a feather. The 
inner sides of the tubes are grooved, and, when attached, 
they form a canal through which the fluid food is 
absorbed, the tubes themselves not being used for 
absorption. When a butterfly or moth is cleaning up 
its mouth-parts after feeding, it will sometimes be seen 
to separate these tubes and extend each one individu- 
ally. The tip of the proboscis is provided with a large 
number of raised papilla which may serve as organs 
TS SHINGO “UielS AUIRVANTN, MSNA of taste, and they possibly assist the insect in securing 
It has been partly denuded of scales to show the 
method by which each is set into the membrane of 
the wing. of flowers. 
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a grip when probing into the various shaped nectaries 
