76 NATURAL HISTORY 



LETTER XLVII. 



TO THE SAME. 



DEAR SIR ; Selbornb. 



" Far from all resort of mirth 

 " Save the cricket on the hearth." 



Milton's 11 Penseroso. 



VV HiLE many other insects must be sought 

 after in fields and woods, and waters, the 

 gryllus domesticus, or house-cricket, resides 

 altogether within our dwellings, intruding 

 itself upon our notice whether we will or 

 no. This species delights in new-built 

 houses, being, like the spider, pleased with 

 the moisture of the walls ; and besides, the 

 softness of the mortar enables them to bur- 

 row and mine between the joints of the 

 bricks or stones, and to open communica- 

 tions from one room to another. They are 

 particularly fond of kitchens and bakers 

 ovens, on account of their perpetual 

 warmth. 



