PERSONALITY OF PLANTS 
his song out on G sharp. The House-Fly is 
credited with singing at F with a preliminary 
grace note on E. Everyone is familiar with the 
high thin plaint of the Mosquito. 
There are many drummers in the insect or- 
chestra. The Cicada operates a small kettle 
drum. On the front of its body, a tough mem- 
brane is stretched over a small cavity. When 
set in motion by a special muscle, it gives out 
a surprisingly agreeable sound. The Greeks 
enjoyed this music so well that they often caged 
the Cicada much as they would a bird. In the 
hatching time of the seventeen-year variety, the 
energetic drumming of thousands of the insects 
rises into a scream which is far from melodious. 
Under such conditions, the noise can be heard 
for half a mile. Travelers tell of a giant South 
American species which produces a drumming 
which is as loud as a locomotive whistle. An 
uncanny drummer is the “Death Watch Beetle.” 
It uses its head for drumsticks and when in the 
wood of furniture often plays a tattoo with con- 
siderable skill. Superstitious people, for no ap- 
parent good reason, sometimes insist this is a 
warning of impending death. Even the pretty 
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