CHIRPING GRASSHOPPER. 393 



month they are grown to the length of more than a quarter of an 

 inch ; in two months upwards of three quarters ; and in three 

 months to the length of more than an inch. Of this leugth they 

 are usually seen during the close of autumn, after which they re- 

 tire deep beneath the surface ; not appearing again till the ensuing 

 spring. During their growth, they cast their skin three or four 

 times. 



The mole-cricket lives entirely on vegetables, devouring the 

 young roots of grasses, corn, and various esculent plants, and com* 

 mits great devastation in gardens. It is found in most parts of 

 Europe, and in the northern parts of Asia and America. 



section iv. 



Chirping Grasshopper, 

 Cicada plebeja. Livk. 



This is the insect so often commemorated by the ancient poets, 

 and so generally confounded by the major part of translators with 

 the grasshopper. It is a native of the warmer parts of Europe, and 

 particularly of Italy or Greece ; appearing in the hotter months of 

 summer, and continuing its shrill chirping during the greatest part 

 of the day; generally sitting among the leaves of trees. These 

 insects proceed from eggs deposited by the parent in and about the 

 roots of trees, near the ground. They hatch into larves, which, 

 when grown to their full size, are the tettigometrae of the ancient 

 writers ; and after having continued 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 cicada?. 

 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. 



Bucol. 2. Sec, 



