Hudson. — On the Nciv Zealand Cicadic. 51 



The females of all the species of Cicadce may be at ouce 

 kuown by the presence of a short ovipositor (PL IX., fig. 3, c), 

 which is used for drilling into the stems of plants when they 

 deposit their eggs ; and the males by the existence of two 

 peculiar drum-like organs, attached to the metasternum and 

 covering two largo chambers situated in the basal segment of 

 the abdomen. These cavities contain two stretched mem- 

 branes acted upon by powerful muscles, and instrumental in 

 producing the noise for which these insects are so justly cele- 

 brated. (See figs. 2 and 3, which represent the uuder-surface 

 of the body in ^ and ? Cicadce.) This insect (C. cUujnlata) 

 varies considerably in size and colour, some specimens being 

 quite ochreous in place of green ; but it can always be easily 

 distinguished by its large size. Length of the body, 11 to 12 

 lines ; expanse of wings, 32 to 37 lines. 



The song of this Cicada is very loud, and rather harsh. It 

 is capable of considerable modulation, and each rhythm con- 

 sists of three or four notes. The insect usually, however, 

 gives three chirps, then a pause, and three more, keeping this 

 up for five or ten minutes at a time, and perpetually varying 

 the rate of the music. 



a. var. ohscura. — I know of only one distinct variety of this 

 species, which is rejnarkable for its smaller size, dull colour, 

 and very loud chattering song. It is found among the boulders 

 in the river-beds near the Inland Kaikoura Mountains ; but I 

 <lo not think it is anything more than a variety. 



Cicada cinrjulata first appears about December, and gra- 

 dually increases in numbers till the middle or end of February, 

 when in certain localities its singing is almost deafening. 

 Occasionally trees may be seen swarming with these insects, 

 which delight to rest on the branches in the hottest sunshine. 

 A sharp hand is needed to effect a capture, even with a net, as 

 the insects lose no time in making off when once they stop 

 singing. This occurs on the approach of any enemy, and is no 

 doubt taken as a danger-signal by the other Cicadce. The 

 ordinary house-sparrow destroys enormous numbers of this 

 fine insect, and I do not think it will long remain abundant 

 in the neighbourhood of our larger towns. In fact, even 

 during the last seven years the species has become decidedly 

 scarcer in the Wellington gardens. 



Cicada muta, Fabr. 



This species differs from Cicada cingulata in the following 

 respects : The body is slightly more attenuated. There is 

 always a distinct silvery stripe doion the centre of the abdomen, 

 and an ochreous stripe margined with black down the centre of 

 the prothorax . No general description is possible, owing to 

 the remarkable variations to whicli the insect is subject, but 



