100 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 pupz, 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 
