Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 054.pdf/102

[ 66 ] They come forth out of the ground in the night; being then fecure from being disturbed by so many creatures, that prey on them, whilst they are under the operation of exchanging one slate for another. From the tenth of May to the ﬁfteenth, they are observed to be spread all over the country.

As soon as the dew is exhaled, the Cicadae are very active, ﬂying about from tree to tree. The male makes a singing noise, calling the female, which he effects by a tremulous motion he gives to two bladders, ﬁlled with air, under his wings. From their numbers the milk: is so loud and troublesome, that it interrupts converfation with a continual dinn, from morning to evening. They continue coupling to the sixteenth of May: soon after the males disappear, and the females lay their eggs. They are much. larger than the males.

They never could be perceived eating any thing; yet, as they are furnished with a long proboscis, which they frequently extend, they may fuck the dews, or the farina of flowers.

The male, in coupling, hath, at the end of his tail, two hooks, with which he enters between the rings, that surround the body of the female. These, spreading internally, conﬁne them long together; which may be requisite, as there is a great number of eggs to impregnate, some say six or seven hundred.

Soon after this work is over, the female begins laying her eggs. To assist her in this operation, the is armed with a dart near 'half an inch long, ﬁxed between her breast and belly, and which extends to the end of