LIFE IN THE INSECT WORLD. 97 



should be allowed to come out frequently and 

 fly about the room. 



Harriet. Are not squirrels taken from our 

 own woods ? 



Jlunt M. Yes ; and it is quite as cruel to 

 make prisoners of them as of birds. 



But we have almost forgotten the crickets, 

 and the evening is nearly spent. There is one 

 more species, however, of which I must tell you 

 before we leave the subject. This is the Mole 

 Cricket, which burrows in the earth, and makes 

 extensive galleries under ground, like the Mole, 

 from which it derives its name. For this pur- 

 pose it is provided with large, powerful arms, 

 and strong, sharp claws, while its breast is co- 

 vered with a thick horny case to protect it from 

 injury. Thus armed, it readily makes its way 

 through gardens and hot-beds, eating off the 

 roots of vegetables as it goes, much to the an- 

 noyance of the farmers, who are very unwilling 

 thus to be deprived of the produce of their land. 

 But the cricket has no scruples upon this point ; 

 it has a perfect right to its share of the good 

 things with which the earth is abundantly filled, 

 and takes them freely. 



9* 



