46 Entomology. [Jan., 



very warm summer flay), and the worm immediately coiled up 

 into a knot. I gathered them up again, and now have them in 

 my collection. 



I subsequently saw an account of a similar production, in the 

 state of Maine, from the field cricket (achata campestua). That 

 was spoken of as a wonder of nature; and the question was pro- 

 pounded, in the same account, whether hair snakes were not thus 

 produced. 



The cricket produces its young by depositing its egg in the 

 ground, which hatches out the imago in the same manner as the 

 family gryllidse, or grasshoppers. 



Were it natural and regular for the cricket to produce such 

 specimens, I think it would have been mentioned before now by 

 naturalists, at least, when it is known that this insect has been 

 the studied favorite of entomologists for ages. Many lovers and 

 students of nature have sought to have these musical creatures 

 dwell and multiply in the walls of their houses, and have fed and 

 tamed them, to enjoy their chirping notes through the lone 

 hours of evening and night. Their nature and habits have been 

 studied, and if such a production were legitimate, I think it must 

 have been noticed. 



This worm cannot be considered as any stage or state of the 

 cricket, for the latter undergoes no such change. Had it been 

 produced by an insect in the larva, pupa, or nympha state, I 

 should not have deemed it so strange; but as the production of a 

 perfect insect, it presents itself, as it were, as an anomaly in the 

 insect world, though one other instance of the kind, it seems, 

 has been noticed, which would indicate something of a regularity 

 or legitimacy. It is possible that naturalists have observed the 

 same, and may have spoken of it; if so, I should be pleased to 

 learn it. 



