The Cicada: the Transformation 



Is a plumb-line which will remain vertical, 

 for there is nothing to interfere with it. In 

 this unwonted posture, which places its head 

 at the bottom at a time when the near ap- 

 proach of the transformation demands that 

 it should be at the top, the unfortunate crea- 

 ture for a long time kicks about and strug- 

 gles, striving to turn over and to seize with 

 its fore-claws either the thread by which it 

 hangs or one of its own hind-legs. Some of 

 them succeed in their efforts, draw them- 

 selves up as best they can, fasten themselves 

 as they wish, despite the difficulty of keeping 

 their balance, and effect their metamorphosis 

 without Impediment. 



Others wear themselves out In vain. They 

 do not catch hold of the thread, they do not 

 bring their heads upwards. Then the trans- 

 formation Is not accomplished. Sometimes 

 the dorsal rupture takes place, leaving bare 

 the mesothorax swollen Into a hernia, but the 

 shelling proceeds no farther and the Insect 

 soon dies. More often still the larva per- 

 ishes Intact, without the least fissure. 



Another experiment. I place the larva In 

 a glass jar with a thin bed of sand, which 

 makes progress possible. The animal moves 

 along, but is not able to hoist itself up any- 



47 



