OF WASHINGTON, VOLUME XIII, 1911. 147 



In any locality the different species of Orthoptera, many of 

 which persistently advertise their presence by their stridula- 

 tions, are, for this reason, rather more readily determined 

 than other insects which are unmusical. Even before a single 

 insect has been collected one can, in a short time, by listening 

 to their stridulations, determine a number of species with con- 

 siderable certainty. The whereabouts of other species are 

 also disclosed, so that they may be more readily taken. If it 

 were not for their musical habits, the presence of many of the 

 rarer and more seclusive Orthoptera would never be suspected 

 in many localities. 



A thorough knowledge of the stridulations of the musical 

 Orthoptera throughout their range would undoubtedly assist 

 the specialist in identifying and recognizing many local forms 

 or minor varieties. Careful studies of a number of musical 

 insects have shown the writer that verv marked differences of 

 stridulation may characterize certain species in different parts 

 of their range. This has been found especially true of Gryllus 

 pennsylvanicus. The sprightly intermittent chirps of the 

 New England individuals no more resemble the weak, con- 

 tinuous (Ecanthus-\tis& trill of the northern Georgia indi- 

 viduals than the notes of CEcanlhus uivcus resemble the very 

 dissimilar trill of (JZcanthiis latipennis. Not only is the strid- 

 ulation very dissimilar, but the general habits are unlike. 

 In New England Gryllus pennsylvanicus fairly swarms in the 

 grass fields and pastures during the autumn, chirping every- 

 where in plain sight. In northern Georgia this cricket be- 

 comes exceedingly abundant in March, April, and May. In 

 this region it is very shy and secluded in its habits, stridulat- 

 ing beneath matted leaves, clods of earth, and grass in fields, 

 and oftentimes in deep burrows in pastures. It is rarely seen 

 unless deliberately uncovered and unearthed. By midsum- 

 mer its stridulations are rarely heard. 



Apart from the scientific interest which the stridulations of 

 our Orthoptera may afford, a study of those factors which 

 contribute to our emotional life and buoyancy throughout the 

 midsummer days and nights leads to the conclusion that this 

 tenor of mind is largely inspired by the varied sounds of hosts 

 of musical crickets and katydids. The stridulations of a 

 single singer may appear monotonous, but the lispings and 

 trillings of many species unite to produce expressive and 

 soothing harmonies in the mind of the sympathetic listener. 

 Different emotional moods and fancies are largely inspired and 

 sustained by the music of different insects throughout the 



