HOUSE-CRICKETS. 279 



the cold uncomfortable months in profound slum- 

 bers ; 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 propensity 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 

 stockings and aprons that are hung to the fire ; they 

 are the housewife's barometer, foretelling her when 

 it will rain ; and are prognostics sometimes, she 

 thinks, of ill or good luck ; of the death of a near re- 

 lation, 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 vo- 

 racious ; for they will eat the scummings of pots, and 

 yeast, salt, and crumbs of bread, and any kitchen offal 

 or sweepings. In the summer we have observed 

 them to fly, when it became dusk, out of the windows, 

 and over the neighbouring roofs. This feat of activity 

 accounts for the sudden manner in which they often 

 leave their haunts, as it does for the method by which 

 they come to houses where they were not known 



* It is a common superstition in Dumfries-shire, that, if the 

 crickets forsake a house which they have long inhabited, some 

 evil will befall the family generally the death of some member 

 is portended. In like manner, the presence or return of this 

 cheerful little insect is lucky, and portends some good to the 

 family. W. J. 



