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probably the species more especially alluded to in the 
writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans, under the 
name of T kml and Cicada. The Athenians were par¬ 
ticularly attached to the Cicadas, and wore golden 
images of them in their hair, considering them an 
emblem of their claim to be av-6xCove, “ of native 
stock,” sprung as it were from the ground, like the 
Cicadse larvae, which after being hatched, descend into 
the ground in the form of six-footed little grubs, where 
they grow and are transformed into active pupte. The 
male Cicada has long been celebrated for his music, 
for the production of which he possesses a peculiar 
apparatus, situated at the base of the abdomen beneath 
and consisting of a pair of stretched membranes, acted 
upon by powerful muscles. These organs or drums are 
protected from injury by two broad plates, which are 
really the dilated sides of the metasternum. The sound 
issues out of two holes beneath these plates in a 
• 
manner, sa}’3 Westwood, somewhat analogous to the 
action of a violin. The Cicada was known to the 
ancient Egyptians, and was figured on their sculptures. 
Horapollo says that when they washed to symbolize a 
mystic man, and one initiated in the sacred rites, they 
used to depict a Cicada, for he does not utter sounds 
through his mouth, but sings a sweet melody by means 
of his spine (c ill ri]Q (jdxeioQ ). The ancient opinion as 
to the quality of the music was divided. Ilesiod 
admired their shrill monotonous chirping :— 
“ When the green artichokes’ ascending flowers ; 
When in the sultry season’s toilsome hours 
Perch’d on a branch beneath his veiling wings, 
With shrill sweet note Cicada frequent sings.” 
—{Works and Days, l. S10). 
