278 THE FIELD CRICKET. 



When these insects are running about a room in 

 the dark, if they are surprized by a candle, they 

 give two or three shrill notes. These seem a signal 

 to their fellows, that they may escape to their crannies 

 and lurking holes to avoid danger. 



It is said that, in some parts of Africa, persons 

 make a trade of these Crickets. They feed them 

 in a kind of iron oven, and sell them to the natives, 

 among whom the noise they make is thought plea- 

 sing. These people imagine that it assists in lulling 

 them to sleep. 



The organ that produces this noise is a mem- 

 brane, which, in contracting, by means of a muscle 

 and tendon placed under the wings of the insect, 

 folds down somewhat like a fan. This, as it is al- 

 ways dry yields that sharp piercing sound that we 

 so often hear from these animals. The noise may 

 also be heard after the insect is dead, if the tendon 

 be made to move. — We are told that Crickets will 

 live and even continue their accustomed noise for 

 some time after their heads are cut off. 



THE FIELD CRICKET*. 



Towards sun-set is the time when the Field- 

 crickets begin to appear out of their subterraneous 

 habitations. They are, however, so shy and cauti- 

 ous that it is no easy niatter to get a sight of them ; 

 jfor, feeling a person's footsteps as he advances, 



* Synonyms.— — Gryllus campestris. /,;««.— Acheta campestris. 

 Fabricius. 



