The Cicada: his Music 



In conclusion, let us ask ourselves the object 

 of these musical orgies. What is the use of 

 all this noise ? One reply is bound to come : 

 it is the call of the males summoning their 

 mates; it is the lovers' cantata. 



I will allow myself to discuss this answer, 

 which is certainly a very natural one. For 

 fifteen years the Common Cicada and his 

 shrill associate, the Cacan, have thrust their 

 society upon me. Every summer for two 

 months I have them before my eyes, I have 

 them in my ears. Though I may not listen 

 to them gladly, I observe them with a cert- 

 ain zeal. I see them ranged in rows on 

 the smooth bark of the plane-trees, all with 

 their heads upwards, both sexes interspersed 

 with a few inches between them. 



With their suckers driven into the tree, 

 they drink, motionless. As the sun turns 

 and moves the shadow, they also turn around 

 the branch with slow lateral steps and make 

 for the best-lighted and hottest surface. 

 Whether they be working their suckers or 

 moving their quarters, they never cease 

 singing. 



Are we to take the endless cantilena for 

 a passionate call? I am not sure. In the 

 assembly the two sexes are side by side ; and 

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