The +Antennæ+ have generally been considered as their organs of touch; and indeed, in popular language, they are usually called Feelers or horns; they have likewise assigned to them the office of wiping and cleaning the eyes. The antennæ, however, are not regarded as feelers by our leading entomologists: at present their uses are not clearly defined. Some have regarded them as organs of smell; others as organs of hearing; a third party have conceived that they perform some function of which man has no definite idea,--supplying the insect with a sixth sense, an intermediate faculty, according to +Messrs. Kirby+ and +Spence+, between hearing and touch, rendering it sensible of the slightest movement of the circumambient air. +Dr. Evans+ designates the antennæ as their sight-supplying sense; "The same keen horns, within the dark abode. Trace, for the sightless throng, a ready road, While all the mazy threads of touch convey, Shot inward to the mind, a semblant day." +Evans.+ The antennæ, of which there are only a single pair, proceed from the anterior part of the head before the eyes. The +Palpi+ are generally considered as the true feelers; which, as well from their texture as from the manner in which insects apply them to their food before they begin to eat it, seems probable: Cuvier and Lehmann were of this opinion. The palpi are attached to the under jaws and lips, and are four in number. In some respects they bear analogy to the antennæ; but the latter, being more articulated, have an extended power of motion. Some insects with small antennæ are observed to have very large palpi, which gives reason to suppose, that although their offices may be different, they are intended to assist each other. The antennæ appear to be the more important organs of the two; as the palpi, when removed, have not been found to occasion much apparent inconvenience; whilst from the experiments of +Huber+ and others, it appears that the excision of the antenna deprives the insect of the perfect exercise of its functions. It seems immediately to lose its instincts. The amputation of one antenna produces no effect; but if both be cut off near the root, the bee no longer possesses the power of guiding itself; it cannot direct its tongue to receive food from its companions, nor take any share in the operations of the family; but exhibits perfect indifference, and keeps near the entrance, apparently for the sake of light; when that is withdrawn, it soon leaves the hive to return no more. "Their departure," says +Huber+, "must be ascribed to the loss of that sense, which is employed to guide them in the dark."