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. 



HETEROPTERA, NOTONECTID^J. 



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 



