274 



A COUPLE OF COUSINS. 



said lateral galleries being the roads it travels in pursuit of its 

 prey. This subterranean work it executes with its strong fore- 

 feet, which are 

 broad, and un- 

 guiculated, or in- 

 dented,muchlike 

 those of a mole. 

 Hence its popu- 



Q 



lar name of the 



(^j^* mole-cricket (Fig. 



FIG. 62. 62, a). 



These insects (of the Orthoptera order) belong to the small 

 family of the crickets a family closely akin to that of the 

 grasshoppers. This close kinship has been recognised by the 

 poets, and we find them brought together in a very charming 

 sonnet, which cannot be too frequently perused by any reader, 

 and which may therefore be introduced as a relief to our 

 duller prose : 



" Green little vaulter in the sunny grass, 



Catching your heart up at the feel of June, 



Sole voice that 's heard amidst the lazy noon, 

 When even the bees lag at the summoning brass ; 

 And you, warm little housekeeper, who class 



With those who think the candles come too soon, 



Loving the fire, and with your tricksome tune 

 Nick the glad silent moments as they pass ; 

 Oh, sweet and tiny cousins, that belong, 



One to the fields, the other to the hearth, 

 Both have your sunshine ; both, though small, are strong 



At your clear hearts ; and both were sent on earth 

 To sing in thoughtful ears this natural song 



Indoors and out, summer and winter, mirth." 



