MUSIC OF INSECTS. 235 



and a perfectly tuned instrument, the corresponding 

 changes produced in the shrillness of the tones of these 

 little insects, by the changes in the temperature of the 

 atmosphere, might be marked with such a degree of 

 accuracy, as to enable us to use them within certain 

 limits, as a musical thermometer. In my observations 

 I used a very ordinary thermometer to mark the weather, 

 and a German flute, which is an inaccurate instrument 

 for such a purpose, to mark the musical key of the 

 insects. Some allowance, therefore, ought to be made 

 for any little incorrectness which a future observer may 

 detect in these results. I will venture to assert, how 

 ever, that the result of any future experiments of this 

 kind would not differ, materially, from that of the fol 

 lowing table : 



Height of Thermometer. Key-note of the Insects. 



80 F natural, perfect time and tune. 



75 Eflat, " " " 



70 D, " " " 



65 C, imperfect time and tune. 



60 B flat, " " " 



55 A, key-note hardly to be detected, many 



out of time and tune. 

 50 G, a few individuals only singing slowly 



and feebly- 



