Part 18

There! That is like the ball-and-socket joint.

You see you can move your fist around in all directions.

The insect can move its antennae in all directions because they are fastened to its head by ball-and-socket joints.

On the segments of the antennae, particularly towards the tip, are little dots.

You cannot see the dots without the help of a strong microscope, but they are there.

These little dots are sensitive spots. There is a nerve coming from the insect's brain to each dot.

Some of the dots are sensitive to odors, just as the nerves of our nose are sensitive to odors.

May thinks it is very funny that the insects smell with antennae instead of with noses.

The insects, no doubt, would think it very funny for us to smell with, noses instead of with antennae, if they thought about it at all.

The little dots on the antennae are extremely sensitive to smells. They are often much more sensitive than our noses.

Put a bit of food at some distance from a hungry cockroach, and it will not be long before a pair of long, sensitive feelers will come waving to and fro out of some dark corner.

Little Mrs. Cockroach has smelled the dainty morsel, and, as soon as it is dark, out she will run, her feelers moving eagerly this way and that, until she has found it.

Yes, May, insects also feel with their antennae. That is why the antennae are often called "feelers."

There are other dots on the segments that are sensitive to touch. Sometimes there are tiny hairs on the antennae, also sensitive to touch.

The little fellows feel and smell, yes, and oftentimes hear with their antennae.

Many insects have spots sensitive to sound on the antennae.

Yes, indeed, May, it is wonderful that such tiny threads as an insect's antennae should hold so many kinds of sensitive spots.

An insect's antennae are among the most wonderful things in the world.

And I think a cockroach, in spite of its bad reputation, is a very wonderful little fellow.

What is that, May? Our cockroach is drawing one of its antennae through its mouth?

Ah, yes, see it clean its antenna, children.

It seems to nibble at it as it draws it through its mouth.

Insects are very careful to keep their antennae clean.

It would not do to let these sensitive spots become covered with dust, you know.

NEIGHBOR WALKING STICK

Isn't this a pretty place to sit down and--

"Ouch! ow! ow! ow!"

Why, May, what is the matter?