measurement of sounds from the orchelimum vulgare
Date: 1935-1936
Inventory Number: 1998-1-0951d
Classification: Chart
Subject:
Maker: George Washington Pierce (1872 - 1956)
Cultural Region:
Place of Origin:
Dimensions:
0.3 x 52 x 39 cm (1/8 x 20 1/2 x 15 3/8 in.)
in envelope: 0.5 x 40 x 53 cm (3/16 x 15 3/4 x 20 7/8 in.)
Description:
This chart represents a series of sounds made by the orchelimum vulgare, a common field katydid, which has 50 teeth and is a very loud diurnal singer (Pierce 213-214). Their songs differ from all other types of katydids and grasshoppers. It begins with a "zeeeee" lasting three seconds, a pause for five seconds, and a series of "zips." When warm, they sing at faster and louder frequencies than when they are cool, and their songs have daytime and nighttime varieties that do not sound alike. Male katydids make sounds by rubbing their wings together, which attracts the females. Both males and females have ears on their legs, which serve as both listening and sound-making appendages.
From the markings on the chart, Pierce reveals that he was initially uncertain whether these sounds were made by an orchelimum vulgare or an orchelimum gladiator, another species that he studied. He decided that it was an orchelimum vulgare, but does not specify his reason.
From the markings on the chart, Pierce reveals that he was initially uncertain whether these sounds were made by an orchelimum vulgare or an orchelimum gladiator, another species that he studied. He decided that it was an orchelimum vulgare, but does not specify his reason.
Signedunsigned
Inscribedin pencil on the first strip: f= 17000 orchelimum vulgare Camb Oct 12 1936 N+49 One click following trill Is he Orc. gladiator?
in pencil on the fourth strip: Orch vulg Aug 1936 f 13000 Franklin
in pencil on strips six through thirteen: double speed Orch Vulg or Glad, and marked with arrows with corresponding numbers at various intervals (1-27)
in pencil at the side of strips six through thirteen: double speed orch vulg or gladiator ck 13
chart at bottom in pencil:
Orch Vulg.
Aug 15 (15 is erased) 36 13000 complaints? Sept 26 1935 10:30 AM 12000~
Oct 12 '36 17000 Sept 30 1935 2:45 PM 12200-N=47
Aug 15 '36 15000
15000
14800
in pencil on the fourth strip: Orch vulg Aug 1936 f 13000 Franklin
in pencil on strips six through thirteen: double speed Orch Vulg or Glad, and marked with arrows with corresponding numbers at various intervals (1-27)
in pencil at the side of strips six through thirteen: double speed orch vulg or gladiator ck 13
chart at bottom in pencil:
Orch Vulg.
Aug 15 (15 is erased) 36 13000 complaints? Sept 26 1935 10:30 AM 12000~
Oct 12 '36 17000 Sept 30 1935 2:45 PM 12200-N=47
Aug 15 '36 15000
15000
14800
Historical AttributesGeorge Washington Pierce first became interested in this insect-chirping project because he was a physics professor at Harvard, and a sub-branch of physics is acoustics. He took a leave of absence from Harvard during WWI to engage in studies of acoustics for the Submarine and Anti-Submarine bases of the US Navy in 1917-1918. He also gave graduate courses in radio communication and acoustic signaling (which involves the production, transmission, and reception of sound signal in air and also water)
(Pierce, 7).
Pierce had an elaborate process for collecting and recording insect noises. The insect sounds were initially detected through a "sound receiver," to detect insect location in field. Then, the insect was observed by Pierce through a lens, captured in a net, carried to a lab, and classified (Pierce, 12-27). The insect's musical sounds recorded by a portable field apparatus with a loudspeaker, at the end of an amplifier box, which incorporated a method of making a record of the pulsations on moving tape (Pierce, 23). These pulsations are inscribed on the white strips with red markings seen on the matte board.
(Pierce, 7).
Pierce had an elaborate process for collecting and recording insect noises. The insect sounds were initially detected through a "sound receiver," to detect insect location in field. Then, the insect was observed by Pierce through a lens, captured in a net, carried to a lab, and classified (Pierce, 12-27). The insect's musical sounds recorded by a portable field apparatus with a loudspeaker, at the end of an amplifier box, which incorporated a method of making a record of the pulsations on moving tape (Pierce, 23). These pulsations are inscribed on the white strips with red markings seen on the matte board.
Primary SourcesGeorge Washington Pierce, The Songs of Insects (1948, Cambridge MA, Harvard University Press).
