THE HOUSE CRICKET. 2J £ 



At the approach of winter, the Mole Crickets 

 remove their nest to so great a depth in the earth as 

 to have it always lower than the frost can penetrate.' 

 When the mild season comes on, they raise it in 

 proportion to the advances of that favourable time, 

 and at last elevate it so near to the surface as to 

 render it susceptible both of air and sun-shine : and 

 if the frost returns, they again sink it to its proper 

 depth. A method very similar is practised by the 

 ants with their nests. 



The Mole Crickets are troublesome insects in hot- 

 beds, where they make great havoc by hacking and 

 gnawing the roots of plants with their fore-feet, the 

 ends of which are armed with teeth like a saw*. 



The Rev. Mr. Gould kept a Mole Cricket alive 

 during several of the summer months. He fed it 

 on the larvae and chrysalids of ants, which it seized 

 With great voracity. 



THE HOUSE CRICKET f. 



These busy little insects reside altogether in our 

 dwellings and intrude themselves on our notice, 

 whether we wish it or not. They are partial to houses 

 newly built ; for the softness of the mortar enables 

 them to form their retreats, without much difficulty, 

 between the joints of the masonry, and immedi- 

 ately to open communications wkh the different 

 rooms. They are particulaly attached to kitchens 



* White's Natural History of Selborne. 



* Synonyms, Gryllus doraesticus. Linn. Acheta domestica, 



Fabricius. 



T ± 



