LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 91 



woollen clothes, which have been left hanging 

 around the fire at night, but it is believed it is 

 not the wool they fancy, but the moisture it 

 contains. 



Harriet. I have sometimes heard crickets, 

 but I never could get to see them. 



flunt M. They are very much afraid of 

 noise and light, and do not often make their 

 appearance in the day-time ; but when the 

 house is quiet and dark, they come out of their 

 hiding places, and hop about the room in search 

 of food. If a light is brought, they are alarmed, 

 and may be seen quickly and lightly hopping 

 back to their holes in the wall. This jumping 

 motion and their lively music has probably 

 given rise to the common saying, " as merry as 

 a cricket." 



A woman, whose chimneys had been for a 

 long time the resort of crickets, had become ex- 

 ceedingly tired of them, and tried various means 

 to get rid of them, but in vain. At length she 

 succeeded by accident. She had a wedding in 

 her house, and a band of music for the enter- 

 tainment of the company. The noise of the 

 drums effectually frightened the poor crickets ; 



