26 DECEMBER 1874, Page 16

INSECT PERCEPTIONS.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."

Sui,—In the Spectator of the 19th, you mention evidence which you think proves that the tiger-moth is able to produce sounds audible to its own species, though inaudible to us. Is it not at least as likely that the unknown means whereby the female tiger-moth makes her neighbourhood known to the male is not sound, but smell ? I know nothing of the tiger-moth in particular, but I believe that naturalists generally regard the mysterious senses which are common in the animal kingdom as being rather of the nature of smell than any other of our senses.—I am, Sir, &c.,

JOSEPH JOHN MURPHY.