THE SONG OF THE CIGALE ^9 



make room for a musical-box. The necessary vital 

 organs are extremely small, confined to a mere corner of 

 the body, in order to increase the amplitude of the 

 resonating cavity. Song comes first of all ; other matters 

 take the second rank. 



It is lucky that the Cacan does not follow the laws of 

 evolution. If, more enthusiastic in each generation, it 

 could acquire, in the course of progress, a ventral 

 resonator comparable to my paper trumpets, the South of 

 France would sooner or later become uninhabitable, 

 and the Cacan would have Provence to itself. 



After the details already given concerning the common 

 Cigale it is hardly needful to tell you how the insupport- 

 able Cacan can be reduced to silence. The cymbals are 

 plainly visible on the exterior. Pierce them with the 

 point of a needle, and immediately you have perfect 

 silence. If only there were, in my plane-trees, among 

 the insects which carry gimlets, some friends of silence 

 like myself, who would devote themselves to such a task ! 

 But no: a note would be lacking in the majestic 

 symphony of harvest-tide. 



We are now famihar with the structure of the musical 

 organ of the Cigale. Now the question arises : What 

 is the object of these musical orgies ? The reply seems 

 obvious : they are the call of the males inviting their 

 mates ; they constitute a lovers' cantata. 



I am going to consider this reply, which is certainly a 

 very natural one. For thirty years the common Cigale 

 and his unmusical friend the Cacan have thrust their society 

 upon me. For two months every summer I have them 

 under my eyes, and their voice in my ears. If I do not 

 listen to them very willingly I observe them with con- 



