CHAPTER IV 



THE CIGALE. THE EGGS AND THEIR HATCHING 



The Cigale confides its eggs to dry, slender twigs. All 

 the branches examined by Reaumur which bore such 

 eggs were branches of the mulberry : a proof that the 

 person entrusted with the search for these eggs in the 

 neighbourhood of Avignon did not bring much variety 

 to his quest. I find these eggs not only on the mulberry- 

 tree, but on the peach, the cherry, the willow, the 

 Japanese privet, and other trees. But these are excep- 

 tions ; what the Cigale really prefers is a slender twig 

 of a thickness varying from that of a straw to that of a 

 pencil. It should have a thin woody layer and plenty of 

 pith. If these conditions are fulfilled the species matters 

 little. I should pass in review all the semi-ligneous plants 

 of the country were I to catalogue the various supports 

 which are utilised by the gravid female. 



Its chosen twig never lies along the ground ; it is 

 always in a more or less vertical position. It is usually 

 growing in its natural position, but is sometimes de- 

 tached ; in the latter case it will by chance have fallen 

 so that it retains its upright position. The insect prefers 

 a long, smooth, regular twig which can receive the whole 

 of its eggs. The best batches of eggs which I have 



