HEMIPTERA. Ill 



M. Solier, in a memoir inserted in the " Annales de la Societe 

 Entomologique de France," says that its song, very loud and very 

 piercing, seems formed of one single note, repeated with rapidity, 

 which insensibly grows weaker after a certain time, and terminates in 

 a kind of whistle, which can be partly imitated by pronouncing the 

 two consonants st, and which resembles the noise of the air coming- 

 out of a little opening in a compressed bladder. When the Cicada 

 sings, it moves its abdomen violently, in such a manner as alter- 

 nately to move it away and to bring it near to the little covers of 

 the sonorous cavities ; to this movement is added a slight trembling 

 of the mesothorax. 



The same entomologist relates a very interesting observation 

 made on this species of Cicada by his friend, M. Boyer, a chemist 

 at Aix, and which he himself verified. The Cicadae, in general, 

 are very timid, and fly away at the least noise. However, when a 

 Cicada is singing one can approach it, whistling the while in a 

 quavering manner, and imitaticg as nearly as possible its cry ; but 

 in such a manner as to predominate over it. The insect then 

 descends a small space down the tree, as if to approach the 

 whistler ; then it stops. But if one present a stick to it, continu- 

 ing to whistle, the Cicada settles on it and begins again to descend 

 backwards. From time to time it stops, as if to listen. At last, 

 attracted, and, as it were, fascinated by the harmony of the whistle, 

 it comes to the observer himself. 



M. Boyer managed thus to make a Cicada, which continued to 

 sing as long as he whistled in harmony with it, settle on his nose. 

 Charmed by this concert, the insect seemed to have lost its 

 natural timidity. 



The Cicada orni is of a greenish yellow, spotted with black. 

 The abdomen is encircled by the same colours. The elytra 

 and the wings are hyaline, or glassy, and their veins alternately 

 yellow and brown. The legs are yellow throughout. The song 

 of this species is hoarse, and cannot be heard at any great 

 distance. 



M. Solier, in the work we quoted just now, says that the song 

 of this Cicada is of a deeper intonation, but that it is quick and is 

 sooner over. It does not terminate in the manner which charac- 

 terises that of the other species. 



