IOO Life and Immortality. 



increase in size, and the more complete development of the 

 four small scale-like prominences of the back, which contain 

 their future wings. 



When the time of its transformation draws near, the larva, 

 in which stage the insect passes the greater part of its exist- 

 ence, works its way up towards the surface, oftentimes in a 

 very circuitous manner, for local changes make it necessary 

 for it to bore through hard woods and between stones well 

 beaten down. The burrow which it thus produces is cylin- 

 drical, about five-eighths of an inch in diameter, and firmly 

 cemented and varnished so as to be water-proof. The upper 

 portion, to the extent of five or six inches, is empty, and 

 serves as a habitation till the period of its exit arrives, while 

 the lower is filled with earthy matter removed by the insect 

 in its progress. In this cell it remains during several days, 

 ascending to the top for the benefit of the sunshine and air 

 when the weather is auspicious, even venturing to peep forth 

 occasionally, but descending on the occurrence of cold or wet 

 weather. But when the favorable moment to leave their 

 subterranean retreats arrives, the Cicada-grubs, or more 

 properly pupae, for such they are now to be considered, 

 although they still retain something of the grub-like form, 

 issue from the ground in great numbers as evening draws on, 

 crawl up the trunks of trees, the stems of herbaceous plants, 

 or on to whatever is convenient, which they grasp securely 

 with their claws. After resting awhile, their skins, which 

 have become dry and of an amber color, are by repeated exer- 

 tions rent along the back, and through the slit formed the 

 included Cicada pushes its head and body, and withdraws its 

 wings and legs from their separate cases, and, crawling to a 

 short distance, leaves its empty pupa-case fastened to the 

 tree. At first the wing-covers and wings are small and 

 opaque, but in a few hours they acquire their natural size 

 and shape. It is not, however, for three or four days that 

 the muscles harden sufficiently for them to assume their 

 characteristic flight. The males make their appearance 



