304 AUGUST. 



as the Cicadse, were Terrae filii. They were 

 regarded indeed by all as the happiest as well 

 as the most innocent of animals not, we will 

 suppose, for the reason given by the saucy 

 Rhodian Xenarchus, when he says, 



Happy the Cicadas' lives, 



Since they all have voiceless wives. 



" If the Grecian Tettix, or Cicada, had been 

 distinguished by a harsh and deafening note, 

 like those of some other countries, it would 

 hardly have been an object of such affection. 

 That it was not, is clearly proved by the con- 

 nexion which was supposed to exist between it 

 and music. Thus the sound of this insect and 

 of the harp were called by one and the same 

 name. A Cicada, sitting upon a harp, was a 

 usual emblem of the science of music, which 

 was thus accounted for : When two rival mu- 

 sicians, Eunomus and Ariston, were contend- 

 ing upon that instrument, a Cicada, flying to 

 the former, and sitting upon his harp, supplied 

 the place of a broken string, and so secured to 

 him the victory." 



As far as is at present known respecting 

 the vocal powers of the Cicadae and the Lo- 



