INSECTS' "WIRELESS"

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 91, 14 October 1922, Page 18

INSECTS' "WIRELESS"

Insect* possessed "antennae" long before wireless was thought of, and it haß frequently been suggested during the last few years of radio-telegraphy. that some insects must possess means of communicating with one another akin to the ether waves in signalling. The Washington Bureau of Standards, well known for its scientific activities in wireless research, is actually investigating this interesting matter on * practical scale. Mr. Lawrence Horle, oria of its experts, is listening in for wireless signals from insects, and has constructed an exceedingly delicate receiving apparatus for the purpose. The actual wave-length, radiated by an aerial depends, as is well kntfwn, on the- length of the aerial wire, _ and a 6 the- antennae, or "aerials" of "insects aro in most cases very minute, the apparatus has had to be made capable of detecting wavea so tiny that they are entirely foreign to ordinary" wireless. Some trouble ,is also being experienced, as the insect listener-in is so sensitive to heat waves, but Mr. Horle is, it is stated, persevering in his experiments, and believes he will be successful.