150 
CICADA. 
in this state of larva near two years, cast their 
skins, and produce the complete insect. 
The ancients differ in their opinions relative to 
the CicadaB. Virgil speaks of them as insects of 
a disagreeable and stridulons tone^. On the 
contrary, Anacreon compliments them on their 
musical note, and makes the Cicada a favourite of 
Apollo. 
“ Happy Insect? blithe and gay. 
Seated on the sunny spray. 
And drunk Avith dew, the leaves among. 
Singing sweet thy chirping song T 
All the various season’s treasures. 
All the products of the plains 
Thus lie open to thy pleasures, 
Fav’rite of the rural swains. 
On thee the Muses fix their choice. 
And Phoebus adds his own. 
Who first inspir’d thy lively voice 
And tun’d the pleasing tone. 
Thy cheerful note in wood and vale 
Fills every heart with glee; 
And summer smiles in double charms 
While thus proclaim’d by thee. 
Like Gods canst thou the nectar sip, 
A lively chirping elf; - . 
From labour free, and free from care, 
A little God thyself !” 
There is also a very pleasing and elegant tale f , 
* Bucol. 2. &c. 
f See Antiq: mirah: tiarrat: lib. 1. Strah. geogr. lib. 6. 
