13 



The musical process begins with the action of the muscular 

 fibres, but they do not finish it. The motions of the fibres puts the 

 membrane in motion while it is floating in air, constantly supplied 

 by the reservoirs. The motions of the muscular fibres and mem- 

 branes are almost inconceivably rapid, and may be compared to the 

 wings of a fly, poised in air, which seem to stand still, because the 

 naked eye cannot follow their velocity. Here the sense of touch 

 discovers that which the eye cannot perceive. If we apply the 

 point of a fine needle to the sides of the insect, a jarring sensation 

 is felt, like that imparted by filing a thin plate of steel. By press- 

 ing on the fasciculi the notes cease. By cutting one of the fasci- 

 culi the music ceases on that side, but continues on the other. By 

 dividing both fasciculi, we put an end to all sound. By pressing 

 on the fasciculi the note ceases, and if we press the air out of 

 of the reservoirs, the same effect is produced. There is still some- 

 thing wanted to perfect the musical process an avenue to the ex- 

 ternal air. For this purpose there are two small apertures, one on 

 each side, near the insertion of the inner wings, between them and 

 the tympanum. They are capable of dilatation and contraction, at 

 pleasure, and receive as much air as is necessary to fill and modu- 

 late the note. 



When we were dissecting and separating the parts composing the 

 musical apparatus, we were not aware that we had been anticipated 

 by the celebrated Reamur, in his description of those of the cica- 

 dae, which bear a strong resemblance to those of the locust, 



The special economy and character of the locust next demand 

 our consideration. We must trace it from its ascent to its death, 

 when it is soon succeeded by a new generation. 



It first appears at the surface of the earth, in the pupa or grub 

 Jorm, preparatory to the chrysalis state almost defenceless and 

 very imperfect It is discovered in Maryland on or about the tenth 

 of April. We found it on that day, at the four successive ascensions 

 of 1783, 1800, 1817 and 1834. We do not assert that they do 

 not appear sooner or later, nor that they arise at the same time in 

 all other places. They are usually discovered by the hogs rooting 



