I 64 ) 
inches in length, was recently (April 1908) presented by Mr. 
J. R. Broadley, It h peculiar that these insects carry their 
eggs, in a cemented mass, on their back and that this is done by 
the male, the female having deposited them upon her spouse. 
The musicians amongst the insects, and, with the excep- 
tion of the Grasshoppers and Crickets, the only ones, are the 
Cicadas ( Ckadidae), The sound, resembling that of a specially 
powerful tin whistle, is produced by the males only. This was 
known already to the Ancients, for a Greek poet, Xenarchus, 
who appreciated domestic peace as well as modern man, said 
*' Happy are the Cicadas, for they have voiceless wives." The 
sound-producing apparatus consists of two drums, one on either 
side, situated near the upper surface of the base of the abdomen. 
The drums contain membranes which are put in vibration by 
certain sets of muscles. Most Cicadas have transparent wings, 
like the huge Pomponia impcratoria, measuring 8^*4 inches from 
tip to tip of the wings, or the more common and smaller species 
of Dnndubia. Velvety black wings, with reddish-brown veins, 
are met with in Tacmia speci&sa (see pi, XVI, fig. 7), 
The Froghoppjrs {Cercopidae) are mostly small insects. 
They have powerful hindlegs with which they can give long 
leaps. Their larvae produce the so-called ' Cuckoo-spit.' One 
of the largest of them is Cosmosearta tricohr. It is dark brown 
with orange spots. 
The Lanternflies are the best-known members of the 
family Ftdgoridac. Their head is prolonged into a huge rostrum 
which may be as long as the rest of the body (see pi XVI, 
fig. 6). The function of this rostrum is unknown. It is not 
luminous, as was formerly supposed. The Lantern-flics arc 
amongst the brightest coloured Insects, rivalling Butterllics and 
Moths. Fidgoni ortthita has white wings with eye-like spots. 
Pyrops nobiUs has a spined rostrum. 
SPRINGTAILS and SILVER FISHES. 
(Thysanura). 
The Thysanura are small and wingless insects. They 
undergo no metamorphosis and are usually covered with hairs 
or scales. The Springtails [CoUembola) have a forked tail which 
serves as leaping apparatus. They live under flower pots and 
such like places. The Silver-fishes {Lepisma sp.) have soft 
bodies covered with shiny scales and ending in three bristle-like 
tails. Old books and old clothes arc their favourite places of 
abode. None are exhibited. 
