COMSTOCK 



CRICKET MUSIC 



205 



lesson than the study of the methods of the Httle musicians of the 

 grass and field. Incidentally the life habits of the crickets will be 

 made plain. 



A Cricket Cage 



Use for this a small flower pot in which has been set a little fresh 

 sod, containing clover and grass. Place over this, and press well 

 into the soil, a lantern chimney; cover the opening of the chimney 

 with a square of wire netting ; place the pot in its saucer, so that it 

 may be watered by keeping the saucer filled. There should be 

 several such cages in the school room. Place in one cage a male, 



A section of the file enlarged 



The wing of male cricket 



enlarged 



a, file; h, scraper 



The front leg of a cricket enlarged 

 showing ear at a 



I 



and in another cage, very near to it, two or three females of the 

 large black crickets. The two sexes may be readily distinguished, 

 since the female has a large, long, bayonet-shaped ovipositor at the 

 end of her body. Two males should not be placed in the same cage, 

 for they will fight and maim each other. Place the cages in a 

 sunny window, where the pupils may observe them at their leisure. 



Observations by Pupils 



1 . Are the wings of the mother cricket the same size and shape 

 as those of her mate ; how do they differ ? 



2 . Is the mother cricket able to make music with her wings ? 



3. How does the cricket musician carry his wings when he is 

 making music '1 How do you think he makes the noise ? Can you 

 see the wings vibrate ? 



