The Cicada: leaving the Burrow 



These stains are the more striking inasmuch 

 as the creature comes out of exceedingly dry- 

 ground. We expected to see it covered with 

 dust and we find it covered with mud. 



One more step in this direction and the 

 problem of the well is solved. I exhume a 

 larva which happens to be working at its 

 exit-gallery. Very occasionally, I get a piece 

 of luck like this, in the course of my digging; 

 it would be useless for me to try for it, as 

 there is nothing outside to guide my search. 

 My welcome prize is just beginning its 

 excavations. An inch of tunnel, free from 

 any rubbish, and the waiting-room at the 

 bottom represent all the work for the mo- 

 ment. In what condition is the worker? We 

 shall see. 



The grub is much paler in colour than 

 those which I catch as they emerge. Its big 

 eyes in particular are whitish, cloudy, squint- 

 ing and apparently of little use for seeing. 

 What good is sight underground? The 

 eyes of the larvae issuing from the earth 

 are, on the contrary, black and shining 

 and indicate ability to see. When it 

 makes its appearance in the sunshine, the 

 future Cicada has to seek, occasionally at 

 some distance from the exit-hole, the hanging 



35 



