HERMIT AND TROUBADOUR 147 



into vibration, and there is a complex arrangement of 

 cavities and sounding-boards around these drum-heads, 

 so that the noise he gives off is a great one indeed for 

 a fellow of his size. So fond is he of making music 

 that he has no time to eat or to do aught else but to 

 sound rolls all the sunshiny day. He is not the 

 only musician on the tree ; there are many others, and 

 they all join in a swelling chorus that has been described 

 as a roar like that made by the " rushing of a strong 

 wind through the trees." 



If our cicada could talk to one of you junior natu- 

 ralists he would tell you that there was a good reason 

 for all this music. He would explain that only the 

 men of the cicada world possess drums, and that the 

 object and reason of all their music was the entertain- 

 ment of the lady cicadas, who are not only very fond 

 of this drumming but are good critics of cicada music 

 as well. He would perhaps tell you also that he had 

 his eye on a certain graceful maiden perched on the 

 leaf between him and the sun ; but she, on the other 

 hand, seemed to give about equal attention to him and 

 three other drummers situated near by. Excited by the 

 competition and by her indifference he rattled his drum 

 faster and faster until he arose to the heights of cicada 

 melody and harmony that left his rivals far behind. 

 Then the lady of his choice listened spellbound and 



