86 



CICADA SUPTliAIUHCJ M. 



one 0.11(1, so as to form a cover to the peiforation. The liolo 

 having been enlarged by ropctitioii of the operation until it 

 is suflicioutly deep to contain from ten to twenty eggs, she 

 proceeds to place the eggs in the nest in paiivs, side by side, 

 but separated by a portion of wooden fibre. When the ncsL 

 is completed and filled, which talcos about fifteen niinates, 

 she removes to a little distance and commences anotlier ; it 

 is not unusual for Iicr to make iifteon or twenty lissures in 

 tlie same limb, and one observer c;ounted fifty nests extend- 

 ing along in a lino, each containing fifteen or twenty eggs in 

 two rows, and all of them apparently the work of one insect. 

 Tlio cicadas abound most upon tlie oak, but sometimes other 

 forest trees, shrubs, and fi'uit trees are attacked, and at times 

 scarcely any kinds arc exempt except the fir and pine family 

 The punctured limlis nsiially witlier and die soon iifter the 

 eggs wliicli are placed in them are hatched. The ova are 

 ono-twelftli of an inch long, and one-sixteentli of an ineli 

 through the niiddie, but taper at one end to a jioiiit, iuid 

 are of a pearl-white colour, showing the foi'm of the enclosed 

 insect before it is hatclied. The young cicada when it bursts 

 the shell is one-sixteenth of an inch long, and is of a yellow- 

 ish-white colour, except the eyes and the claws of tlie fcu'is- 

 legs, which are reddish ; it is covered witli little hairs. In 

 form it is somewhat grub-like ; the first pair of logs is 

 large, sliaped almost like loljstcr claws, and armed ' with 

 strong spines beneath. On the shoulders are little promi- 

 noiicos in place of wings, and under the breast is a long 

 beak for suction. The little creature is very active, moving 

 almost as quickly as an ant. After a few inomentH its 

 instinct leads it to descend to tlie ground; but to do this 

 it does not seek the body of the tree, but runs to the side 

 of the limb, and deliberately loosening its h(j]d, allows itself 

 to fall. On reaching the ground aft(!i' this pisi-iloiis descent, 



