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Handbook of Nature-Study 



LESSON LXXXI 

 The Katydid 



Leading thought — ^The katydids resemble the long-horned grasshoppers 

 and the crickets. They live in trees, and the male sings "katy-did" by 

 means of a musical instrument similar to that of the cricket. 



Method — ^Place a katydid in a cricket cage in the schoolroom, giving it 

 fresh leaves or flowers each day, and encouraging the pupils to watch it at 

 recess. It may be placed in a vial and passed around, for close observa- 

 tion. In studying this insect, use the lesson on the red-legged grass- 

 hopper and also that on the cricket. These lessons will serve to call the 

 attention of the pupils to the differences and resemblances between the 

 katydid and these two allied insects. 



A pair of dusky lovers. 

 Drawing by Ida Baker. 



THE BLACK CRICKETS 



Of the insect musicians ilie cricket is easily the most popular. Long associated 

 with man, as a companion of ttte hearttt and the field, his song touclies ever the 

 cliords of human experieiice. Although we, in America, do not have tlte house- 

 cricket which English poets praise, yet our field-crickets have a liking for warin 

 corners, and will, if encouraged, take up their abode among our hearthstones. The 

 greatest tribute to the music of the cricket is the wide range of human emotion which 

 it expresses. "As inerry as a cricket" is a very old saying and is evidence that the 

 cricket's fiddling has ever chimed with the gay moods of dancers and merrymakers. 

 Again, ttte cricket's song is made an etnblem of peace; and again we hear that the 

 cricket's "plaintive cry" is taken as tlie harbinger of the sere aiid dying year. From 

 happiness to utter loneliness is the gamut covered by this sympathetic song. Leigh 

 Hunt found him glad and thus addresses him.: 



"And you, little housekeeper who class 

 With those who think the candles come too soon. 

 Loving tlte fire, and with your tricksome tune 

 Nick the glad, silent moments as they pass." 



Ways of the Six-Footed. 



