Zoology.-] NATURAL HISTORY OF VICTORIA. \_lnsecta. 



and contains the peculiar material " Eucalin " (C 6 H 12 6 ) (only 

 known in the sap of Eucalypti), an unfermentable sugar, with 

 another fermentable sort (perhaps Dextroglucose), from which it 

 may be separated by fermenting the Melitose. 



Both sexes have short lives in the perfect state, and may be 

 seen lying about the ground under the trees, dead or dying, in 

 abundance after their noisiest few days. Our Nankeen Kestrel 

 and other small hawks devour them on the wing in great numbers 

 in their season, and they are probably very nice, like the Greek ones 

 praised by Aristotle as a bonne-bouche. The pupae, the bachelor 

 males, and the females when full of eggs, are the greatest delicacies 

 for the epicure, according to the Greek authority, but none of 

 my friends have enabled me to say whether in their opinion the 

 Australian species merits the like praise.* 



This species has not been figured before, although occurring in 

 abundance everywhere throughout Victoria, and extending to Tas- 

 mania on the south, and to New South Wales and Queensland on 

 the north. 



It appears in myriads about February and in the beginning of 

 March. At these times the empty pupa cases may be seen sticking 

 on the bark of the Gum-trees, particularly the Peppermint Gum, 

 Eucalyptus viminalis (the E. mannifera of Cunningham), which 

 the perfect insect chiefly frequents, probably from the remarkable 

 sweetness of the sap. 



Explanation of Figures. 



Plate 50. — Fig. 1, male, natural size, with the wings expanded. Fig. la, thorax of same, 

 magnified to twice the natural size, to show the markings and proportions of the three divisions 

 of the thorax seen from above. Fig. lb, one of the antennae of same, magnified five times the 

 natural size. Fig. \c, underside of same, showing the two large plates of the musical organs 

 characteristic of the males, at junction of thorax and abdomen. Fig. Id, anterior leg of same, 

 twice the natural size, to show the toothing. Fig. 2, female, in resting position of the deflexed 

 wings, natural size. Fig. 2a, rostrum on underside of head of same, magnified. Fig. 2b, under- 

 side of abdomen, to show absence of the drum-plates at the anterior end and the large inflected 



* Since the above was in type Prof. Strong drew my attention to a passage referring to the song of the Cicada in 

 " The Birds " of Aristophanes, charmingly rendered as follows in Dr. Kennedy's translation : — 



" But in flowery meads I dwell, 

 Lingering oft in leafy dell, 

 When the inspired Cicala's gladness, 

 Swelling into sunny madness, 

 Filleth all the fervid noon 

 With its shrill and ceaseless tune." 



[56] 



