Images Dated 27th April 1998

SEM of an earwig

Earwig. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of an earwig (Forficula auricularia) on leaf litter. Earwigs are predatory nocturnal insects which generally hide under stones and in crevices during the day. The superstition that earwigs seek out human ears and bite through the eardrum has no basis in fact. The earwig's head, with its long antennae, is at lower left. It has a pair of short wings (centre), but earwigs very rarely fly. Earwigs are omnivorous, and will eat flowers as well as other insects and carrion. The pincers (upper right) are used largely for defence purposes, and are raised over the head when attacked. Magnification: x5 at 5x7cm size. x12 at 5.5x7ins

© POWER AND SYRED/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

View of the healthy tongue of a woman

MODEL RELEASED. Tongue. View of the healthy tongue of a woman. The tongue tastes food and drink, and is also necessary for chewing, swallowing and speech. It is covered with numerous tiny projections called papillae, which differ in shape, size and colour. Filiform papillae are at the front of the tongue. Fungiform papillae are larger and have a good blood supply, which makes them appear red. Larger still are the circumvallate papillae, which are surrounded by a deep cleft or trench. There are 8-10 circumvallate papillae at the back of the human tongue, the area where most of our taste buds are located

© TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY