THE GRASSHOPPER KIND. 29 



Though there be a species of this insect that lives 

 entirely in the woods and fields, yet that with which 

 we are best acquainted is the house cricket, whose 

 voice is so well known behind a country fire in a 

 winter's evening. There is something so unusual 

 in hearing a sound while we do not see the ani- 

 mal producing it, nor discover the place from 

 whence it comes, that among the country people 

 the chirping of the cricket is always held omin- 

 ous ; and whether it deserts the fire-side, or pays 

 an unexpected visit, the credulous peasantry al- 

 ways find something to be afraid of. In gene- 

 ral, however, the killing of a cricket is a most 

 unlucky omen ; and though their company is not 

 much desired, yet no methods must be taken to 

 remove them. 



The cricket very much resembles the grass- 

 hopper in its shape, its manner of ruminating, its 

 voice, its leaping, and methods of propagation. 

 It differs in its colour, which is uniformly of a 

 rusty brown ; in its food, which is more various ; 

 and in its place of residence, which is most usual- 

 ly in the warmest chinks behind a country hearth. 

 They are, in some measure, obliged to the bad 

 masonry employed in making peasants' houses 

 for their retreats. The smallest chink serves to 

 give them shelter; and where they once make 

 their abode, they are sure to propagate. They 

 are of a most chilly nature, seldom leaving the 

 fire-side ; and, if undisturbed, are seen to hop 

 from their retreats to chirrup at the blaze in the 

 chimney. The wood cricket is the most timo- 

 rous animal in nature j but the chimney cricket, 



