THE CICADA 19 



take a walk on a neighbouring branch, and then return more 

 eager and enterprising than before. They now become violent 

 brigands, determined to chase the Cicada away from his 

 well. 



The worst offenders are the Ants. I have seen them 

 nibbling at the ends of the Cicada's legs, tugging at the tips 

 of his wings, and climbing on his back. Once a bold robber, 

 before my very eyes, caught hold of a Cicada's sucker and 

 tried to pull it out. 



At last, worried beyond all patience, the singer deserts 

 the well he has made. The Ant has now attained her object : 

 she is left in possession of the spring. This dries up very 

 soon, it is true ; but, having drunk all the sap that is there, 

 she can wait for another drink till she has a chance of stealing 

 another well. 



So you see that the actual facts are just the reverse of 

 those in the fable. The Ant is the hardened beggar : the 

 industrious worker is the Cicada. 



II 



THE CICADA'S BURROW 



I am in an excellent position to study the habits of the 

 Cicada, for I live in his company. When July comes he 

 takes possession of the enclosures right up to the threshold 

 of the house. I remain master indoors, but out of doors 

 he reigns supreme, and his reign is by no means a peaceful 

 one. 



The first Cicadse appear at midsummer. In the much- 

 trodden, sun-baked paths I see, level with the ground, round 

 holes about the size of a man's thumb. Through these 

 holes the Cicada-grubs come up from underground to be 

 transformed into full-grown Cicadse on the surface. Their 

 favourite places are the driest and sunniest ; for these grubs 

 are provided with such powerful tools that they can bore 



