LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 227 



Anna. Hark ! it is singing. I heard it say 

 Katy. 



Aunt M. That was because I pressed upon 

 the wing-cases. The musical organs are situated 

 underneath these. They consist of transparent 

 membranes, tightly stretched within two frames 

 like tamborines, and whenever the wing-cases 

 are opened and closed, they rub together, and 

 produce the sound. When they sing Ka-ty-did, 

 they open and shut them three times; thus 

 making three distinct sounds. 



It is only the male which sings ; the female is 

 always a silent listener. They conceal them- 

 selves during the day among grass or leaves, 

 but as soon as it becomes dark, they come out 

 fearlessly, and take their station upon some con- 

 venient tree or bush, when the male commences 

 the clear joyous song, which he sometimes con- 

 tinues through the whole night. When all else 

 is perfectly quiet, this sound may be heard at the 

 distance of a quarter of a mile. 



Renee. I suppose this is a male then. What 

 long, slender legs it has. 



Jiunt M. The legs are formed for leaping ; 

 you see the hind ones are the longest. I want 



