ESTEEMED BY THE ATHENIANS. Ill 



Of the musical cicadas, one species has been dis- 

 covered in England. Like its classic congener, it be- 

 longs to the same family as the clamorous catydids 

 of North America, and is distinguished in Entomo- 

 logy by the term Cicada, the very word which is em- 

 ployed by Virgil, — 



" Cantu quenilae rumpent arbusta cicadae.'' — Gear. III. 328. 



The conclusion of Byron's notice of the grass- 

 hopper, while he chirps " one good-night carol 

 more," has been already quoted ; that of the cicada 

 should Hkewise be brought before you, to show the 

 accuracy with which he has distinguished the one 

 insect from the other : — 



" The shrill cicadas, people of the pine, 

 Making their summer lives one ceaseless song." 



The Athenians, as you are aware, wore in their 

 hair golden images of this insect. To excel it in 

 singing, was the highest commendation of a singer ; 

 nor was it considered derogatorj' to the orator to be 

 compared to the cicada. Instead, liowever, of any 

 longer bestowing " my tediousness upon you," I 

 shall reward your present attention by transmitting 

 a very spirited Ode of Anacreon, addressed to this 

 insect, and which has been very happily translated : — 



" Happy Cicada, perch'd on lofty branches. 

 Deep in the forest, cheerful as a monarch, 

 Tasting the dew-drops, making all the mountains 

 Echo thy chirping. 



