78 NATURAL HISTORY 



of an absent lover. By being the constant 

 companions of her solitary hours they natu- 

 rally become the objects of her superstition. 

 These crickets are not only very thirsty, but 

 very voracious ; for they will eat the scum- 

 mings of pots, and yeast, salt, and crumbs 

 of bread ; and any kitchen offal or sweep- 

 ings. In the Summer we liave observed 

 them to fly, when it became dusk, out of 

 the windows, and over the neighbouring 

 roofs. This feat of activity accounts for 

 the sudden manner in which they often 

 leave their haunts, as it does for the 

 method by which they come to houses 

 where they were not known before. It is 

 remarkable, that many sorts of insects seem 

 never to use their wings but when they 

 have a mind to shift their quarters and 

 settle new colonies. When in the air they 

 move " volatu undoso,'' in waves or curves, 

 like wood-peckers, opening and shutting 

 their wings at every stroke, and so are 

 always rising or sinking. 



When they increase to a great degree, 

 as they did once in the house where I am 



