CHAPTER 11 



THE CIGALE LEAVES ITS BURROW 



The first Cigales appear about the summer solstice. 

 Along the beaten paths, calcined by the sun, hardened 

 by the passage of frequent feet, we see little circular 

 orifices almost large enough to admit the thumb. These 

 are the holes by which the larvae of the Cigale have come 

 up from the depths to undergo metamorphosis. We see 

 them more or less everywhere, except in fields where the 

 soil has been disturbed by ploughing. Their usual posi- 

 tion is in the driest and hottest situations, especially by 

 the sides of roads or the borders of footpaths. Powerfully 

 equipped for the purpose, able at need to pierce the turf 

 or sun-dried clay, the larva, upon leaving the earth, seems 

 to prefer the hardest spots. 



A garden alley, converted into a little Arabia Petraea 

 by reflection from a wall facing the south, abounds in 

 such holes. During the last days of June I have made 

 an examination of these recently abandoned pits. The 

 soil is so compact that I needed a pick to tackle it. 



The orifices are round, and close upon an inch in 

 diameter. There is absolutely no debris round them ; 

 no earth thrown up from within. This is always the 

 case ; the holes of the Cigales are never surrounded by 



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