Generation of Sounds by Canadian Insects. 121 



being probably of later introduction to the northern countries of 

 Europe than others of its genus, and only cultivated in the gardens 

 of the rich, kept amongst the Germans the southern name given 

 to it unchanged. 



In closing these observations on the onion or garlic genus, and 

 returning to the point of enquiry first touched upon, I can say 

 that my own belief is that the onions from the banks of the Temis- 

 camingue Lake, if really garden onions, must be descendants of 

 some that have been cultivated on that spot by the Jesuits, or 

 perhaps some shanty-men or intelligent Indians once local ed there. 

 In these old Jesuit gardens, flowers of Europe have been found 

 perfectly naturalized, which must have been first introduced by 

 the early pioneers of civilization. These floral bequests, after 

 nearly one hundred years of neglect, have still, by the favor of 

 nature and advantageous situation, kept their solitary hold? 

 beautiful mementos of the pursuits and recreations of the most 

 intelligent of the first enterprising settlers in the land. 



ARTICLE VIII. — On the Generation of Sounds by Canadian 

 Insects. By George Gibb, M. D., M. A., F. G. S., Member 

 of the Canadian Institute, <fcc. 



(Presented to the Natural History Society of Montreal.) 

 Among the most striking peculiarities associated with the study 

 of insect life, which very early attracts the attention of the young 

 entomologist, are the various musical or other sounds and notes 

 which are emitted by many of the genera among the different fami- 

 lies of this division of the animal kingdom. In my youthful days 

 I used to listen with an exciting interest to the tuneful song of 

 the Tree-hoppers, Cicadce, in the extensive gardens of Mr. James 

 E. Campbell, my maternal grandfather, situated at the foot of the 

 Current St. Mary, on the beautiful Island of Montreal. I watched 

 whence the music proceeded, and stopped not until my curiosity 

 was ultimately rewarded with the capture of one of these insects, 

 which have been celebrated from time immemorial, and described 

 by Virgil as rending the bushes with their song : 



" Et cantu querulae rumpent 

 arbusta cicadse." 



The insect sang as it was held between my fingers, and it was 

 from the possession of this specimen that my taste for collecting 

 insects at an early period was formed. It was not long subse- 



