30 HISTORY OF 



being used to noises, disregards not only those, 

 but the appearance of people near it. Whether 

 the voice of this animal is formed in the same 

 manner with that of the grasshopper, by a fine 

 membrane at the base of the wings, which is 

 moved by a muscle, and which being coiled up, 

 gives a sound like a quail-pipe, is not yet ascer- 

 tained ; nor do we well know the use of this 

 voice, since anatomical inspection has not yet 

 been able to discover the smallest organs of hear- 

 ing. Still, however, we can make no doubt of 

 their power of distinguishing sounds, though pro- 

 bably not in the same manner with the more per- 

 fect ranks of nature. Certain it is, that I have 

 often heard them call, and this call was as regu- 

 larly answered by another, although none but the 

 males are vocal. 



As the cricket lives chiefly in the dark, so its 

 eyes seem formed for the gloominess of its abode ; 

 and those who would surprise it, have only to 

 light a candle unexpectedly, by which it is daz- 

 zled, and cannot find the way back to its retreat. 

 It is a very voracious little animal, and will eat 

 bread, flower, and meat ; but it is particularly fond 

 of sugar. They never drink, but keep for months 

 together at the back of the chimney, where they 

 could possibly have had no moisture. The 

 warmth of their situation only serves to increase 

 their mirth and loquacity. Except in the very 

 coldest weather they never cease their chirrup- 

 ing, but continue that little piercing note, which 

 is as pleasing to some as it is disagreeable to 

 others. The great Scaliger was particularly de- 



