. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative; Physiology, Comparative. Fig. 241.—Bombylius. remain in vibration. But in Cockchafers, and other noisy Beetles, Butterflies, &c, no such apparatus can be discovered. Other sounds are produced, while the Insect is feeding; that occasioned by the armies of Locusts, when incalculable millions of powerful jaws are in action at the same time, has been com- pared to the crack-ling of a flame of fire driven by the wind. Certain two-winged Flies, distinguished by a long- proboscis ( 241), make a humming sound, whilst sucking honey from flowers ; a
. Animal physiology. Physiology, Comparative; Physiology, Comparative. Fig. 241.—Bombylius. remain in vibration. But in Cockchafers, and other noisy Beetles, Butterflies, &c, no such apparatus can be discovered. Other sounds are produced, while the Insect is feeding; that occasioned by the armies of Locusts, when incalculable millions of powerful jaws are in action at the same time, has been com- pared to the crack-ling of a flame of fire driven by the wind. Certain two-winged Flies, distinguished by a long- proboscis ( 241), make a humming sound, whilst sucking honey from flowers ; and the same is the case with some of the Hawk- moths. 677. Some Insects are remarkable for a peculiar mode of calling, commanding, or giving an alarm. The neuters or soldiers among the White Ants, make a vibrating sound, rather shriller and quicker than the ticking of a watch, by striking against hard substances with their mandibles; this seems intended to keep the labourers, who answer it by a hiss, upon the alert, and at their work. The well-known sound termed the Death-watch is produced by a small beetle (Anobium), that burrows in old timber; and it is occasioned by the striking of its mandibles upon the wood, sound is evidently intended by the animal as a means of communication with its fellows ; for if it be answered, it is continually repeated ? whilst if no answer be returned, the ani- mal repeats the signal in another place. The noise exactly resem- bles that produced by tapping moderately with the nail upon the table ; and when familiarised, the insect will very readily answer this imitation. The most remarkable example of the production of sounds for the purpose of authority, is that of the Queen-Bee ;. 242.—Death-Watch, natural size and magnified. Tl:. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original
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