150 CICADA. 



in this state of larva near two years, cast their 

 skins, and produce the complete insect. 



The ancients differ in their opinions relative to 

 the Cicadas. Virgil speaks of them as insects of 

 a disagreeable and stridulous tone*. On the 

 contrary, Anacreon compliments them on their 

 musical note, and makes the Cicada a favourite of 

 Apollo. 



" Happy Insect ! blithe and gay, 

 Seated on the sunny spray, 

 And drunk with dew, the leaves among, 

 Singing sweet thy chirping song! 



All the various season's treasures, 



All the products of the plains 

 Thus lie open to thy pleasures, 



Fav'rite of the rural swains. 



On thee the Muses fix their choice, 



And Phoebus adds his own, 

 Who first inspir'd thy lively voice 



And tun'd the pleasing tone. 



Thy cheerful note in wood and vale 



Fills every heart with glee; 

 And summer smiles in double charms 



While thus proclaim'd by thee. 



Like Gods canst thou the nectar sip, 



A lively chirping elf 5 

 From labour free, and free from care, 



A little God thyself!" ' 



There is also a very pleasing and elegant tale f, 



* Bucol. 2. &c. 

 f SeeAntiq; mirab: narrat: lib. 1. Strab. geogr. lib. 6. 



