242 NATURAL HISTORY OF SELBORNE. 



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 burrow and mine between the 

 joints of the bricks or stones, and to open communications 

 from one room to another. They are particularly fond of 

 kitchens and bakers' ovens, on account of their perpetual 

 warmth. 



Tender insects that live abroad either enjoy only the 

 short period of one summer, or else doze away the cold, 

 uncomfortable months in profound slumbers ; but these, 

 residing, as it were, in a torrid zone, are always alert and 

 merry, — a good Christmas fire is to them like the heats of 

 the dog-days. Though they are frequently heard by day, 

 yet is their natural time of motion only in the night. As 

 Boon as it grows dusk, the chirping increases, and they come 

 running forth, and are from the size of a flea to that of 

 their full stature. As one should suppose, from the burn- 

 ing atmosphere which they inhabit, they are a thirsty race, 

 and show a great propensity for liquids, being found 

 frequently drowned in pans of water, milk, broth, or the 

 like. Whatever is moist they affect ; and therefore often 

 gnaw holes in wet woollen stockings and aprons that are 

 hung to the fire : they are the housewife's barometer, fore- 

 telling her when it will rain, and are prognostic sometimes, 

 she thinks, of ill or good luck, of the death of a near rela- 

 tion, or the approach of an absent lover. By being the 

 constant companions of her solitary hours they naturally 

 become the objects of her superstition. These crickets are 

 not only very thirsty, but very voracious ; for they will eat 

 the scummings of pots, and yeast, salt, and crumbs of bread, 

 and any kitchen ofFal or sweepings. In the summer we have 

 observed them to fly when it became dusk out of the windows, 



