CICADA HUTS, OR CONES. Q7 
itary in the course of a long period of existence in low wet situations. 
The strict limitation of these cones to areas presenting peculiar 
conditions thoroughly disproved this theory. 
Some notes on the character of the huts may be appended. The 
fact that there is no exit orifice at the ground, as described by Mr 
Rathvon, is confirmed by the studies made by the observers cited 
above, the insect invariably clawing its way out at the top. Mr. 
Lander notes one instance where the pupal shell remained attached 
and stuck in the summit of the burrow, the mature insect having 
escaped. According to Mr. Lander, also, the huts are probably con- 
structed at night, the insect taking advantage of the moist air, which 
would prevent the too rapid drying of the earth used in making the 
little tower and also of the delicate soft insect itself. The chambers 
are constructed with soft pellets of clay or mud brought up from below 
and pressed firmly into place. On examination it will be seen that 
they are well rounded and rather firmly compacted within, although 
the marks of the claws of the pupe are usually visible and leaves and 
sticks are often incorporated in the walls. No one has actually 
observed the insects while at work on these structures, and, although 
Mr. Lander repeatedly broke off a number of cones to see if they would 
be repaired, the insect failed to do so while being watched. Subse- 
quently the broken portions were found to be recapped, but at some 
ttle distance below the broken edge. In this connection may be 
quoted the observation of Mr. Lawton, of Nyack, cited by Doctor 
Lintner. Mr. Lawton found that in every case except one the pupa 
repaired the cone soon after the injury by bringing up pellets of mud 
and roofing over the broken portion about half an inch from the top. 
The repairs were begun on one side and gradually extended over the 
opening horizontally, there being no attempt to form a dome-shaped 
roof. In some instances the repairing of the chamber began within 
a quarter to half an hour after injury had been caused, and within 
three or four hours the opening was entirely closed over. On one 
occasion a pupa was caught with a pellet of mud in its claws. 
The fact that these cones had been noted on only two or three occa- 
sions prior to 1884 led to the belief that they were very rare and 
abnormal. Their extraordinary abundance in 1884 in connection with 
Brood II would seem to indicate that they are by no means as rare as 
heretofore supposed, and it may be inferred that the absence of records 
is simply due to the lack of examination, especially in localities where 
the conditions would be favorable for their appearance. This view is 
confirmed by the announcement ina recent letter from Mr. Davis of 
the discovery of a cone April 30, 1898, on Staten Island belonging to 
Brood VI, which appeared that year. He says that the cone was just 
appearing above the dead leaves, which, with the ground also, were 
31117—No, 71—07——7 
