LETTER XLVI. 



To the same. 



". . . resonant arbusta . 



SELBORNE. 



HERE is a steep abrupt pasture field interspersed 

 with furze close to the back of this village, well 

 known by the name of Short Lithe, consisting of 

 a rocky dry soil, and inclining to the afternoon 

 sun. This spot abounds with the gryllus campestris, 

 or field-cricket; which, though frequent in these 

 parts, is by no means a common insect in many 

 other countries. 



As their cheerful summer cry cannot but draw the attention of a 

 naturalist, I have often gone down to examine the economy of 

 these grylli, and study their mode of life ; but they are so shy and 

 cautious that it is no easy matter to get a sight of them ; for feeling 

 a person's footsteps as he advances, they stop short in the midst of 

 their song, and retire backward nimbly into their burrows, where 

 they lurk till all suspicion of danger is over. 



At first we attempted to dig them out with a spade, but without 

 any great success ; for either we could not get to the bottom of the 

 hole, which often terminated under a great stone ; or else in break- 

 ing up the ground we inadvertently squeezed the poor insect to 



