INSECT SPEECH. 1 27 



from predatory birds or insects which might intercept them in 

 a tedious journey down the tree ? They merely move to the 

 side of the branch, loosen their hold, and more or less grace- 

 fully alight on terra firma. 



Immediately, by means of their mole-like forefeet, they 

 burrow in the soil, following the roots of plants, to which 

 they attach themselves by their beak, drinking long and deep 

 from the springs of vegetable life. Down in the depths of 

 these Plutonic abodes they await the summons which bid 

 them mount upward, an impulse they cannot understand, but 

 dare not disobej-. As the time of their transformation 

 approaches they ascend, forming cylindrical passages, filled 

 below with earthy matter removed by the insect in its progress, 

 but open to the extent of six or eight inches from the top. 

 In these retreats thej^ linger several days, mounting to the 

 surface in fine weather for air and sunshine, and peeping 

 forth upon the broad world upon which they soon shall enter. 

 In wet situations the wary insect is said to erect a turret, in 

 which haven of refuge it remains until the day of deliverance. 



When at length the grubs have gained the proper strength 

 they issue at night in great numbers, crawling up objects to 

 which the}^ can fasten securely by their claws. Presently the 

 skin becomes dry, by repeated exertions a rent is made in the 

 back and the cicada emerges. Taking a few steps it rests, 

 the flexible wings obtain full power and dimension, the super- 

 fluous moisture evaporates, and with the morning sun it fans 

 the summer breeze a queen of air. 



Within two weeks they begin to lay their eggs, and in six 

 weeks another appearance of the seventeen year cicada has 

 passed into history. 



These visitations do not occur simultaneously in all parts 

 of the laud, but in various years, in some sections, their 

 coming is awaited by the timid with varying degrees of dread. 

 During the summer of 1902 they were much in evidence 

 throughout eastern Pennsylvania, northern New Jersey, 

 Maryland, Delaware and the State of Illinois. On May 25th 



