SEPTEMBER. 431 



principle of the jewsharp, and the reeds in a reed organ. 

 The grasshopper, in all ages, has been noted for his musical 

 propensities ; and is frequently represented as playing on the 

 harp, in certain ancient emblematical vignettes. 



Each genus of these insects has a peculiar modulation of 

 his notes. The common green grasshopper, that during the 

 months of August and September fills the whole atmosphere 

 with his din, is found chiefly in the lowland meadows which 

 are covered with the native grasses. This grasshopper mod- 

 ulates his notes somewhat like the cackling of a hen, uttering 

 several chirps in rapid succession, and following them with 

 a loud spinning sound, that seems to be the conclusion of the 

 strain. The strains are continued incessantly, from the time 

 when the sun is up high enough to dry the dews, until dew- 

 fall in the evening. These players are delighted with the 

 clear bright sunshine, and sing but very little on cloudy days, 

 even when the air is dry and warm. 



There is another species of grasshopper with short wings, 

 that makes a kind of grating sound, by scraping his legs, that 

 serve for bows, against his sides, that represent, as it were, 

 the strings of a viol. If we go into the whortleberry pas- 

 tures, we may hear still another species, that makes a con- 

 tinued trilling, like the note of the hair-bird, and often con- 

 tinues the sound half a minute or more, without apparent 

 rest. This insect reminds me of the louder shrilling of those 

 species which are heard in the Southern States. The note 

 of this grasshopper is not so agreeable as the notes of those 

 whose strains are more rapidly intermittent. 



The American locusts make their peculiar sounds by 

 inflating air into their bodies, and expressing it between two 

 small apertures, situated a little below the base of their 

 wings. These holes lead from a musical table, on each side 

 of which are five or six thin bars, connected by exquisitely 

 fine membranes. There is an insect of this tribe that is 

 seldom heard until midsummer, and then only during the 

 middle of the warmest days. This note is* a pleasant 

 remembrancer of sultry summer noondays, of languishing 

 heat and refreshing shade. It begins low and increases in 



