102 LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 



nicely cemented, for the purpose of excluding 

 water. 



The Seventeen Years' Locust ^is about an 

 inch and a half in length, and of a reddish- 

 brown color, with transparent, gauze-like 

 wings. To each of its feet are attached two 

 claws, and it may frequently be seen care- 

 fully cleaning these, and removing from them 

 every particle of dust and dirt, that they may be 

 kept fit for service. 



Like the cricket, the male alone is musical ; 

 and the sound, which is a loud humming noise, 

 is produced by rubbing upon an instrument 

 situated under the wings. During the last lo- 

 cust year, I spent several weeks in the country, 

 and was interested in making some observations 

 upon the locust, and found, that by pressing my 

 fingers upon the upper part of the wings, I could 

 produce the sound made by the insect. In an 

 apple orchard, which we visited, there were 

 thousands of them upon the trees, fences, and 

 ground, keeping up a loud and continual 

 concert. 



Rene6. I hope I may be in the country next 

 locust season. I suppose we should not see any 

 thing of them in town ? 



