being the constant companions of her solitary hours, 

 they naturally become the objects of her supersti- 

 tion. 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 fi}^ out of the windows when it 

 became dusk, 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 woodpeck- 

 ers, 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 now writing, they 

 become noisome pests, flying into the candles, and 

 dashing into people's faces; but may be blasted and 

 destroyed by gunpowder discharged into their crev- 

 ices and crannies. 



[In November, after the servants are gone to bed, 

 the kitchen hearth swarms with minute crickets not 

 so large as fleas, which must have been lately hatched, 

 so that these domestic insects, cherished by the influ- 

 ence of a constant and large fire, regard not the sea- 

 26 129, 



