HOW INSECTS MAKE MUSIC. 



The katydid has a wing that is very cu- 

 rious to look at. You have seen this 

 little insect, I have no doubt. 

 Its color is light green, and 

 just where the wing joins 

 the body there is a thick 

 ridge, and another on the 

 wing. On this ridge there 

 is a thin and strong skin, 

 which makes a sort of 

 drumhead. 



It is the rubbing of these two ridges, or drumheads, that makes 

 the queer noise you have heard. There is no music in it, surely. 

 The insects could keep quiet as Avell as not, and they must enjoy 

 doing it. 



The katydid usually makes three rubs with its drumheads, some- 

 times only two. You can fancy she says " Katy did," and " She 

 did," or "She didn't." The moment it is dusk they begin. Soon 

 the whole company are at work. As they rest after each rubbing 

 it seems as if they answered each other. 



Did you know that bees hum from under their wings? It is not 

 the stir of those beautiful light "wings we hear. It is the air draw- 

 ing in and out of the air-tubes, in 

 the bee's quick flight. \^ ^.^ ' ,/ =. _^ - ^j"'" The faster a 

 bee flies the louder ^ 7 Ai' -•/ ■*^." - the hum- 



•y - Don t you 



feel ? In- 

 deed they do ! They have nerves 

 ill! over them, even through their 

 wings, and out to the end of every 

 feeler. They suffer just as much as 

 you do when hurt. You must remem- 

 ber this, and be kind to all the little in- 

 sects God has made. 



believe 



