CICADA. 97 



warmer climates, that the Cicadae are heard 

 to make the chirping noise, which has gained 

 them the notice of Virgil, and the praise of 

 Anacreon. This noise is sharp, monotonous, 

 and tiresome from its constant repetition. It is 

 said, that a single Cicada hung up in a cage is 

 almost sufficient to drown the voice of a whole 

 company. The} 7 are generally found on the 

 trunk or in the branches of trees, and rarely 

 change their place. They, however, can fly 

 with great strength and rapidity, and are very 

 active in the middle of the day ; but the slight- 

 est cold benumbs them : consequently the best 

 time to take them is early in the morning, or 

 after sunset. What has chiefly excited the at- 

 tention of Naturalists in the history of the Ci- 

 cada, is the piercing sound which proceeds from 

 its little body. For the investigation of the 

 cause by which the sound is produced, we are 

 indebted to the labours of Reaumur and Roesel, 

 who have unfolded the curious apparatus which 

 enables the Cicada to effect its purpose. " It 

 proceeds from a pair of concave membranes, 

 seated on each side the first joints of the abdo- 

 VOL. I. K 



