  Mid-infrared observations of the central source of NGC 1068 have been
obtained with a spatial resolution in the deconvolved image of 0.1" (~ 7pc).
The central source is extended by ~1" in the north-south direction but appears
unresolved in the east-west direction over most of its length. About two-thirds
of its flux can be ascribed to a core structure which is itself elongated
north-south and does not show a distinct unresolved compact source. The source
is strongly asymmetric, extending significantly further to the north than to
the south. The morphology of the mid-infrared emission appears similar to that
of the radio jet, and has features which correlate with the images in [O III].
Its 12.5-24.5 micron color temperature ranges from 215 to 260 K and does not
decrease smoothly with distance from the core. Silicate absorption is strongest
in the core and to the south and is small in the north.
  The core, apparently containing two-thirds of the bolometric luminosity of
the inner 4" diameter area, may be explained by a thick, dusty torus near the
central AGN viewed at an angle of ~65 deg to its plane. There are, however,
detailed difficulties with existing models, especially the narrow east-west
width of the thin extended mid-infrared "tongue" to the north of the core. We
interpret the tongue as re-processed visual and ultraviolet radiation that is
strongly beamed and that originates in the AGN.
