The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1863-06-18
TIL. cie.da or American Losus,.

ing this part OF the State with the r
presence. The story Of their origin,
their nature and their propagation, has
never, that we know Of, been made out.
But the following observations in the
American Cicada or Locust, by DR. 5
Hildreth, Of Marietta Ohio, we find in
the Ohio Cultivator, in May, l846. 1t
will, we think, be interesting to most Of
our readers.
mo part of natural history nor,
bounds in wonderful and extraordi-
nary productions, than that portion OF
it embraced in the study of EntC mology
Whether we consider the number and
variety ofinsects, or the curious chang
es they undergo in the progress oftheir
existence, we are led to admire not only
their elegant forms and beautiful colors
but also the harmony and order which
attends all the operations of nature.
Amongst this numerous class, none
excites the wonder and admiration Of
man more than the cicada septemdecem
(locust.) The regularity with which
they return at the expiration Of seven
teen years their simultaneous appear
ance over vast extent Of country, and
the countless myriads Of their numbers
equally arrest our attention, They
made their appearahce at Marietta
Ohio, at three different periods, sinc5
its first settlement, viz: in the year
1894, again in 1872; and now In 1929
Add II years and we have 1946-Ed
0. CT With US they have commenced
their ascent from the earth the last o
May, and first days of June, and dis
three days earlier according to the tenn
perture ofthe seastn~ .....
; The month of May, this season, wa
very warm, and the cicada made theil
appearance rather earlier than hereto
fore. By the 18th Of this month, the!
had risen SO near to the surface Of tn
earth, that the depth ofs common fur
row in plowing; turned them out il
: their chrysaloid state. By the 24tl
= they had begun to raise from the earth
burst their transparent covering an
expand their wings. From this tim
to the 10th ofJune, their numbers dali,
n increased, until woodlands and orch
ards were filled with countless multi
: tudes A continual singing or scream
: was kept up by the males, from sunris
It till evening and so loud that in a calr
}. morning the sound was heard fu
! mile. For this purpose the male
+ furnished with an air bladder unde
c the axillae, of a pale blue color s
= represented in the figure; the female
: make no noise They appeared onl
@ in situations which were covered wit
.e trees, as was the fact when they WEI
= here in 1872; thereby proving thi
5. they had not wandered far in the
Ie jorney of seventeen years. the cart
was perforated like ariddle, with hol,
,e about third Of an inch in diamete
i In an orchard in this town counte
,r twenty five holes on foot square, ar
h an intelligent acquaintance told n
,e that, in his own neighborhood nc he
lc seen more than double that number
the same space. Where trees were n
III near each othcs, the ground undernea'
It; them was covered with their skins
vs. cast off robes to the depth Of two
te three inches. These shells retain Il
of exact figure Of the insect when
leaves the earth, with rent on the bat
or through which the cicada creeps
s. from a coat of mail, and are firm
Ill fastened by the feet to the bark al
twigs of trees and bushes, until tn,
are thrown down by the winds orrai
Instinct leading them to seek t
neerest tree, or bush, or post, as soon
J they leave the earth; here they rema
I until they have left their shells forsor
:. hours, or until their wings are dry al
40 40 sufficiently strong for flying. The
y ~ appeared to be two varieties Of t
- cicada, one being much smaller tn
n the other. There was also strikil
difference in their notes. The SIN
variety were more common in t
We bottom lands, and the larger in t
of hills. A continual scream was kept
q. by the males during the day, but tn
40 were silent through the night, Th'
It. fight was short, seldom exceedi
od eight or ten rods, and their whole liv
n. appeared to be spent near the place
be their nativity. I could not discoV
a. that they made use Of any food; tn
Sc certainly eat no leaves Of trees or plar
AT as they are not furnished with jaws
n k.olk nhary haVa hard ana Snd