THE CICADA IN LITERATURE. 151 
inferences, gives with remarkable accuracy — detail observations on 
practically all of the features of the insect’s life history and habits 
which are open to easy study, not only in its underground existence 
but throughout its transformation and aerial life. Professor Potter 
was evidently fully aware, not only of the two distinct sizes or varieties 
of the Cicada but also of the depth to which the larve penetrate and 
the fact of their forming roofs or turrets over their burrows some time 
before the period of fee emergence—a record which has been hitherto 
overlooked and the credit for this discovery assigned to a much later 
period. 
In speaking thus most favorably of Professor Potter’s memoir it 
must not be forgotten that probably much of the actual observation 
and study upon which it is based are due to the research of Dr. Gideon 
B. Smith, of Baltimore, Md., who is given full credit in one of the 
introductory paragraphs, in these words: 
As our professional avocations would not permit us to devote our whole time to the 
pursuit, it became necessary to call in the aid of a colleague whose knowledge of ento- 
mology and industry could be relied upon. These qualifications were found and well 
exemplified in Mr. Gideon B. Smith. Should our labors reflect any light on so obscure 
a subject, the credit is equally due to him. 
These two men were the first to make a careful and at all complete 
study of the periodical Cicada, Professor Potter’s interest in the sub- 
ject dating, he says, from 1783, and great credit is due them, and 
especially to Doctor Smith, whose later work will be subsequently 
considered. 
Several brief accounts of the Cicada appeared in American and for- 
eign publications about this time, adding nothing, however, to the 
facts already obtained, the most notable perhaps being the account by 
J. O. Westwood in his ‘Classification of Insects,’’“ in which he refers 
to the literature and habits of the species very briefly. 
The next step of real importance was the discovery of a 13-year 
southern brood by Dr. D. L. Phares, of Woodville, Miss., and the 
publication of the fact in 1845 in the Woodville Republican. 
Both before and after this time Doctor Phsres was in communica- 
tion with Dr. Gideon B. Smith, referred to above, whom he evidently 
ultimately convinced of the truth of the 13-year period for the south- 
ern broods. 
Doctor Smith continued for many years the work which he had 
begun as the colleague of Professor Potter, keeping his notes in the 
form of a rather voluminous manuscript, which was first prepared, 
he states, in 1834, the date signed to Professor Potter’s memoir. 
Doctor Smith twice entirely rewrote and revised his manuscript, the 
title-page of the last copy reading as follows 
The American Locust Cicada septendeciin, et tredecim. Embracing the natural 
history and habits of the insect in its perfect state and while underground, with 
a 1839-40, Vol. II, p. 426. 
