New-York tribune., 1909-01-03
INSECTS BUZZ-W0RDS
Wing Vibrations and Breathing
Organs Serue as Tongues.

Insects are not popularly considered 10 be talka-
tive although the mosquito is something Of a con-
cert ginger and the fly often provokes pro-
ta1s speech the part OF human victims. It is
true the insect tribe lacks vocal organs. yet II
possesses language and means Of communica-
ton entirely sufficient for primitive needs. Some
day science. when it has completed unabridged
monkey dictionary, may be able TO study mora
thoroughly the dialects OF the tiny buzzers and
ereepers. and put humanity IN closer touch with
The pest1ferousthat IS 10 say, interesting forms Of
lower If. OF course. Il IS a little too much TO
hope that viii be able TO argue with a
Jersey 'skeeter. or get a favorable answer 10 the
question, addressed 10 a mattress in strange
boarding house. whether expect to sleep
n peace The interests OF men and bloodsuckers
are not identical DESPITE contrary allegations
SO that the best Esperanto devised for the ex-
change Of human and insectiferous ideas could
not achieve any real harmony between the two
How far insects have actually progressed in the
parts OF speech IS told by Dr. Henry G Mccook. in
fiarper's Magazine A great deal OF emotion Is
expressed by their bodily gestures The motion OF
finger attracts the attention OF ant that is
sencneliag a column the march. It halts
thrusts out its antennse and shows signs Of eX-
element When the finger comes nearer the
'ennae wave rapidly. The ants head and body jerk
With tense eagerness. 1t stretches forth its head
and reaches its fore legs, with jaws agape
and Rntenne quivering. The ant may rise
P NAl 4th legs IN puBllSLc ol
oetence, the attitude taken by bear, a horse
and man ready 20 fight. The tarantula and
other spiders DO the same thing when attacked or
threatened with danger.
Wing talk. otherwise pteratic language. depends
on the varying vibrations of insects wings. Any
ons may distinguish the contented droning among
The blossoms the quivering notes Of alarm and the
Sharp businesslike buzzlng Of the homeward flight
Many emotions may be conveyed by the pitch
The common fly usually strikes the note + while
hovering above baldhead a summer resort
aotel The wing note OF bees and other insects
humning above a bed OF flowers is A. as tested
hy flute and ear Tuning forks excellent for
measuring tho compass of the tone poets Of our
hslos and veTendas. On the scientific basis OF 25S
Vibrations second for the note c, the house fly at
Thrstsx bis wings s52 times second and the
money bee At h keeps her prcpellsrs working at
sSss Of go times q second. When q bee n loaded
Csr Waiting the nectar saloon and pollen store.
as' tone falls 20 e. and perhaps the other insects
understand the melocy equivalent TO we
won't Go Home TIL Morning" Ths threat OF the
angry hornet is familiar to every country boy
Some profound emotions conveyed ty the
spiracle= or breathing organs. arranged in pairs
along ths abdomen and thorax OF insects A mem
b1ene behind each spiracle may be vibrsted SO
rapid as TO produce q sound This Is the source
Of the alleged pathetic cry emitted by fly when
II IS caught on sticky paper and can't buzz with
rs wings. The fly walls and shrieks ike a high
priced actress, it's said. II IS comfort 10 know
that The mosquito has this spiracuar voice, as
We'll a buzz. The bee is likewise gifted and
her exercise OF the organ is called piping" When
hhe cid queen Of q colony has left with a swarm
sha new qusen often sounds her pipes like true
f1saaan&ars sca xAs suaAAnts6 1ssksss ssv eSxe