36 RHYNCOTA. 



probably the species more especially alluded to in the 

 writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans, under the 

 name of Tstti^ and Cicada. The Athenians were par- 

 ticularly attached to the Cicadas, and wore golden 

 images of them in their hair, considering them an 

 emblem of their claim to be avroxOove, " of native 

 stock," sprung as it were from the ground, like the 

 Cicadse larvse, which after being hatched, descend into 

 the ground in the form of six-footed little grubs, where 

 they grow and are transformed into active pup^e. The 

 male Cicada has long been celebrated for his music, 

 for the production of which he possesses a peculiar 

 apparatus, situated at the base of the abdomen beneath 

 and consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted 

 upon by powerful muscles. These organs or drums are 

 protected from injury by two broad plates, which are 

 really the dilated sides of the metasternum. The sound 

 issues out of two holes beneath these plates in a 

 manner, says Westwood, somewhat analogous to the 

 action of a violin. The Cicada was known to the 

 ancient Egyptians, and was figured on their sculptures. 

 Horapollo says that when they wished to symbolize a. 

 mystic man, and one initiated in the sacred rites, they 

 used to depict a Cicada, for he does not utter sounds 

 through his mouth, but sings a sweet melody by means 

 of his spine (dia rijg f)dxn»Q). The ancient opinion as 

 to the quality of the music was divided. Hesiod 

 admired their shrill monotonous chirping : — 



" When the gi'een artichokes' ascending flowers ; 

 When in the sultry season's toilsome hours 

 Perch'd on a branch beneath his veiling wings, 

 With shrill sweet note Cicada frequent sings." 



—{Works and Days, I. 810). 



