Curious Facts in the History of Insects; Including Spiders and Scorpions. / A Complete Collection of the Legends, Superstitions, Beliefs, and Ominous Signs Connected with Insects; Together with Their Uses in Medicine, Art, and as Food; and a Summary of Their Remarkable Injuries and Appearances.

by Frank Cowan

[868.] On Aristoph., Vesp. 230.

[869.] Cited by Athen., 525.

[870.] Cicada-combs are alluded to in Aristoph., Eq. 1331. Cf. also Philostr. Imag., p. 837. Heracl. Pont., cited by Athen., p. 512. Bloomfield’s Thucid., i. 14.

[871.] Cited by Athen., p. 842 (Bohn’s ed.).

[872.] Strabo, Geog. B. 6.

[873.] Iliad, iii. 152. Buckley’s translation, p. 53.

[874.] Georg. iii. 328. Cf. Bucol. ii. Sir J. E. Smith, Tour., iii. 95, says also that the common Italian species makes a most disagreeable and dull chirping. The Cicadas of Africa, it is said, may be heard half a mile off; and the sound of one in a room will put a whole company to silence. Thunberg asserts that those of Java utter a sound as shrill and piercing as that of a trumpet. Captain Hancock informed Messrs. Kirby and Spence that the Brazilian Cicadas sing as loud as to be heard at the distance of a mile. Introd., ii. 400. The sound of our American species, C. septemdecim, has been compared to the ringing of horse-bells. The tettix of the Greeks, says Dr. Shaw, Travels, 2d edit., p. 186, must have had quite a different voice, more soft surely and more melodious; otherwise the fine orators of Homer, who are compared to it, can be looked upon as no better than loud, loquacious scolds.

[875.] Theatr. Ins., p. 134. Topsel’s Hist. of Beasts, p. 994. Vide Pierius’ Hieroglyph., p. 270–1. Initiatus sacris; Dicacitatis castigatio; Vana garrulitas; Nobilitas generis; Musica.

[876.] V. 2, c. 4, Donovan’s Ins. of China, p. 32.

[877.] Middle Kingd.