NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 
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Poni: XLV TI: 
TO THE SAME. 
‘« Far from all resort of mirth 
Save the cricket on the hearth.’’ 
MILTon’s ld Penseroso. 
SELBORNE. 
DEAR SIR,—While many other insects must be sought after in 
fiells and woods, and waters, the gvy//us domesticus, or house- 
cricket, resides altogether within our dwellings, intruding itself 
upon our notice whether we will or no. This species delights in 
new-built houses, being, like the spider, pleased with the moisture 
of the walls ; and besides, the softness of the mortar enables them 
to burrow and mine between the joints of the bricks or stones, and 
to open communications from one room to another. They are par- 
ticularly fond of kitchens and bakers’ ovens, on account of their 
perpetual warmth. 
Tender insects that live abroad either enjoy only the short period 
of one summer, or else doze away the cold uncomfortable months - 
in profound slumbers ; but these, residing as it were in a torrid 
zone, are always alert and merry,—a good Christmas fire is to them 
like the heats of the dog-days. Though they are frequently heard 
by day, yet is their natural time of motion only in the night. As 
soon as it grows dusk, the chirping increases, and they come 
running forth, and are from the size of a flea to that of their full 
stature. As one should suppose, from the burning atmosphere 
which they inhabit, they are a thirsty race, and show a great pro- 
pensity for liquids, being found frequently drowned in pans of 
water, milk, broth, or the like. Whatever is moist they affect ; and 
therefore often gnaw holes in wet woollen stocking and aprons that 
are hung to the fire ; they are the housewife’s barometer, foretelling 
her when it will rain, and are prognostic sometimes, she thinks, of 
ill or good luck, of the death of a near relation, or the approach of 
an absent lover. By being the constant companions of her solitary 
hours they naturally become the objects of her superstition. These 
crickets are not only very thirsty, but very voracious ; for they will 
