22 FABRE'S BOOK OF INSECTS 



by sheer strength, and hooks his fore-legs on to his empty 

 skin. This movement has released the tip of his body from 

 its sheath. The whole operation has taken about half an 

 hour. 



For a time the freed Cicada does not feel very strong. He 

 must bathe in air and sunshine before strength and colour 

 come to his frail body. Hanging to his cast skin by his fore- 

 claws only, he sways at the least breath of air, still feeble and 

 still green. But at last the brown tinge appears, and is soon 

 general. Supposing him to have taken possession of the 

 twig at nine o'clock in the morning, the Cicada flies away 

 at half-past twelve, leaving his cast skin behind him. Some- 

 times it hangs from the twig for months. 



Ill 



THE CICADA'S Music 



The Cicada, it appears, loves singing for its own sake. 

 Not content with carrying an instrument called the cymbal 

 in a cavity behind his wings, he increases its power by means 

 of sounding-boards under his chest. Indeed, there is one 

 kind of Cicada who sacrifices a great deal in order to give full 

 play to his musical tastes. He carries such an enormous 

 sounding-board that there is hardly any room left for his 

 vital organs, which are squeezed into a tiny corner. Assuredly 

 one must be passionately devoted to music thus to clear 

 away one's internal organs in order to make room for a musical 

 box ! 



Unfortunately the song he loves so much is extremely 

 unattractive to others. Nor have I yet discovered its object. 

 It is usually suggested that he is calling to his mate ; but the 

 facts appear to contradict this idea. 



For fifteen years the Common Cicada has thrust his society 

 upon me. Every summer for two months I have these insects 

 before my eyes, and their song in my ears. I see them ranged 



