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NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM 



its brief stay with us. It will disappear gradually during the early 

 part of July without, it is believed, having been the occasion of any 

 special harm. Unlike the devastating locusts, its injuries are seldom 

 serious except to young fruit-trees and in nurseries. 



Replies are requested from all whom this circular may reach to as 

 many of the questions proposed below as can be conveniently given. 

 Any other notes of interest would be acceptable. Even a few words 

 on a postal card giving locality or abundance or other item might prove 

 of special value. 



1. At what place was the Cicada seen ? Locate it so that it can be 

 indicated on a map. 



2. When was it first seen — in May, or not until early June ? 



3. What was its comparative abundance — few, many, very abun- 

 dant, or " millions " ? 



4. How abundant compared with the 1877 appearance? 



5. Were holes seen in the ground from whence they came ? State- 

 ments sometimes represent the ground as "honey-combed" by them. 



6. Were any of the clay or mud above ground houses seen ? Ground 

 burned over in the early spring might be examined for them. 



7. When were their peculiar noises or " screeching " first heard ? 



8. When were their first egg-deposits in the twigs seen ? 



9. Do the slitted twigs show wilted leaves and break, and later fall 

 to the ground ? 



10. Ha 5 * any particular injury been done to fruit-trees or grape- 

 vines ? 



11. In what trees, shrubs, or plants have the egg-deposits been seen ? 



12. Is any instauce of its "stinging" a person known? A painful 

 or harmful sting from it is not credited. 



13. Does the English sparrow feed on it, and if so, to what extent? 



14. What birds or mammals have been seen to eat it ? 



15. What insect attack on it has been observed ? 



16. Do many of the old males, when the body is broken open, show 

 a dry, powderjr, brownish fungus attack ? 



17. Of the two distinct forms of the Cicada — variety Cassinii being 

 about two-thirds the size of the other and the rings of its body beneath 

 being without the orange border — are many of Cassinii seen ? Or, a 

 number of specimens taken as they come to hand, might be sent to me 

 for identification. 



18. Has the noise or cry of the insect (made only by the male) been 

 heard later than July 1st? 



19. How late in July were any of the insects seen? 



