1 6 FREAKS OF PLAXT LIFE. 



This particular tree was evidently, from its foliage, an 

 Acacia. Among the trees on which I have seen 

 cicada feed, is one closely allied to the Acacias, the 

 beautiful PitJiccolobiiim sainan. Another leguminous 

 tree visited by cicadas is Andira inermis, and there 

 are many more of the same, and other families, which 

 I cannot specify. Although I never heard the name, 

 Tamia-caspi, applied to any particular kind of tree 

 during a residence of two years in the region where it 

 is now said to be a specialty, it is quite possible that, 

 in the space of twenty-one years that have elapsed 

 since I left Eastern Peru, that name may have been 

 given to some tree, with a greater drip than ordinary ; 

 but I expect the cicada will still be found responsible 

 for the ' moisture pouring from the leaves and 

 branches in an abundant shower,' the same as it was 

 in my time." 



Although, unfortunately, this explanation takes 

 the romance out of the Rain-tree, it must be 

 admitted that Dr. Ernst is of opinion that the 

 rainy mist in Venezuela is produced without the 

 intervention of insects, and that there is still some 

 mystery to be explained. Under any circumstances, 

 the story is of sufficient interest to warrant an 

 allusion to it in the introduction to the subjects of 

 the present volume, which may contain other 

 phenomena not readily accounted for. Cicadas were 

 great favourites with the ancient Greeks, by whom 



