NOISES OF INSECTS. 403 
by a harsh and deafening note, like those of some other 
countries, it would hardly have been an object of such 
affection. That it was not, is clearly proved by the 
connexion which was supposed to exist between it and 
music. ‘Thus the sound of this insect and of the harp 
were called by one and the same name*. A Cicada 
sitting upon a harp was a usual emblem of the science 
of music, which was thus accounted for:—When two 
rival musicians, Eunomus and Ariston, were contending 
upon that instrument, a Cicada flying to the former and 
sitting upon his harp, supplied the place of a broken 
string, and so secured to him the victory®. ‘To excel 
this animal in singing seems to have been the highest 
commendation of a singer; and even the eloquence of 
Plato was not thought to suffer by a comparison with 
it®. At Surinam the noise of the Tettigonia Tibicen is 
still supposed so much to resemble the sound of a harp 
or lyre, that they are called there harpers (Lierman)¢. 
Whether the Grecian Cicadz maintain at present their 
ancient character for music, travellers do not tell us. 
Those of other countries, however, have been held 
in less estimation for their powers of song; or rather 
have been execrated for the deafening din that they pro- 
duce. Virgil accuses those of Italy of bursting the very 
shrubs with their noise®; and Dr. Smith observes that 
this species, which is very common, makes a most dis- 
agreeable dull chirping‘. Another, Tettigonia septen- 
decim—which fortunately, as its name imports, appears 
@ Gr. reveriopce. b Mouffet, Theatr. 130. ° 
©‘ Hoverss Wawra, noe ter riziv icoawaros. ° Merian Surinam. 49. 
e Et cantu querule rumpent arbusta cicade. Georg. iil. 328. 
f Smith’s Tour, ii. 95. 
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