HEMIPTERA. 111 
M. Solier, in a memoir inserted in the ‘‘ Annales de la Société 
Entomologique de France,”’ says that its song, very loud and very 
piercing, seems to consist of one single note, repeated with rapidity, 
which insensibly grows weaker after a certain time, and terminates 
in a kind of whistle, which can be partly imitated by pronouncing 
the two consonants st, and which resembles the noise of the air 
coming out of a little opening in a compressed bladder. When 
the Cicada sings, 1t moves its abdomen violently, in such a manner 
as alternately to move it away from, and to bring it near to, the 
little covers of the sonorous cavities; to this movement is added a 
slight trembling of the mesothorax. 
The same entomologist relates a very interesting observation 
made on this species of Cicada by his friend, M. Boyer, a chemist 
at Aix, and which he himself verified. The Cicadas, in general, 
are very timid, and fly away at the least noise. However, when a 
Cicada is singing, one can approach it, whistling the while in a 
quavering manner, and imitating, as nearly as possible, its ery, 
but in such a manner as to predominate over it. The insect then 
descends a small space down the tree, as if to approach the 
whistler; then it stops. But it one present a stick to it, con- 
tinuing to whistle, the Cicada settles on it and begins again to 
descend backwards. From time to time it stops, as if to listen. 
At last, attracted, and, as it were, fascinated by the harmony of 
the whistle, it comes to the observer himself. 
M. Boyer managed thus to make a Cicada, which continued to 
sing as long as he whistled in harmony with it, settle on his nose. 
Charmed by this concert, the insect seemed to have lost its 
natural timidity. 
The Cicada orni is of a greenish yellow, spotted with black. 
The abdomen is encircled by the same colours. The elytra 
and the wings are hyaline, or glassy, and their veins alternately 
yellow and brown. ‘The legs are yellow throughout. The song 
of this species is hoarse, and cannot be heard at any great 
distance. 
M. Solier, in the work we quoted just now, says that the song 
of this Cicada is of a deeper intonation, but that it is quick and 
is sooner over. It does not terminate in the manner which 
characterizes that of the other species. 
