METHOD OF BURROWING. 125 
It is difficult to say how many of these reported occurrences at 
unusual depths are due to an unobserved tumbling of specimens from 
higher levels, but where the insects have been observed to issue through 
the bottom of cellars or similar situations the information would seem 
to be reliable. The fact remains, however, that all of the extensive 
diggings in the investigation of the early history of this insect here in 
Washington and elsewhere have confirmed the statements of Doctor 
Smith; in other words, the insects have always been found, as stated, 
within 2 feet of the surface and in greatest numbers between the 
depths of 8 and 18 inches. 
A curious feature in connection with the underground life of this 
insect is its apparent ability to survive without injury in soil which 
may have been flooded for a considerable period. Doctor Smith 
records a case of this kind where a gentleman in Louisiana in January, 
1818, built a milldam, thus overflowing some land. In March of the 
following year the water was drawn off and ‘in removing a hard bed 
of pipe clay that had been covered with water all of this time some 6 
feet deep the locusts were found in a fine, healthy state, ready to make 
their appearance above ground, that being the year of their regular 
appearance.’’ Another case almost exactly similar is reported by 
Mr. Barlow. In this instance the building of a dam resulted in the 
submerging of the ground about an oak tree during several months 
of every summer, ultimately resulting in the death of the tree. This 
went on for several years, until the dam was washed away by a 
freshet, when digging beneath the tree led to the discovery of the 
Cicada larve in apparently healthy condition from 12 to 18 inches 
below the natural surface of the ground. In both of these instances 
the ground may have been nearly impervious, so that the water did 
not reach the insects nor entirely kill all of the root growth in the 
submerged soil. 
THE METHOD OF BURROWING. 
The actions of the Cicada beneath the soil are not readily investi- 
gated, the newly hatched and more active individuals disappearing 
rather rapidly and seeming to be quite at home in the earth, as their 
natural element. The method of burrowing of the larger and partly 
grown specimens, as witnessed in captivity under fairly natural condi- 
tions, is, as has been described in the manuscript notes of the Bureau, 
as follows: The larva scratches away the walls of its cell with the 
femoral and tibial claws, grasping and tearing the earth and small 
stones just as one would do with the hands, bracing itself against the 
sides of its cell mainly by its hind and middle legs, the former in their 
natural position and the latter stretched out over the back. If it is 
rising, so that the earth removed naturally falls to the lower end of 
the burrow, it simply presses the detached portions on all sides, and 
