MARCH. 69 



ACHETA DOMESTICA (Plate III.), the House Cricket, needs 

 little description ; it is of a buff colour, varied with brown ; 

 the loud chirping noise made by the males is occasioned by 

 the brisk attrition of their wings, the covers of which are 

 provided with a small glassy membrane, acting like the 

 parchment covering of a tambourine. These insects may be 

 found throughout the year in favourable situations. White 

 of Selborne says they feed on bread, yeast, salt, and any 

 kitchen sweepings : they are fond of moisture, and will 

 gnaw holes in wet woollen stockings or aprons hung to dry. 



ACHETA CAMPESTRIS, the Field Cricket, is much more 

 rare, and appears later ; the colour is black, with the base 

 of the wing-covers yellow. It burrows at the side of paths, 

 making deep holes, at the mouth of which it sits, in order 

 to seize any stray insects for food. 



HETEROPTEEA. NOTONECTID.E. 

 NOTONECTA. 



Generic Distinctions. Body subcylindrical ; tarsi, first joint 

 long ; claws very minute. 



NOTONECTA GLAUCA. (Plate XV.) Boat Fly. About half 

 an inch long, of a greyish colour ; the elytra spotted with 



