THE YOUNG NATURALIST. 



35 



gradually appear. As soon as the wings are developed the male migrate to 

 fresh quarters and commence new colonies, choosing in preference new-built 

 houses, because the mortar being fresh enables them to tunnel into it with 

 ease, and affording good ground for the deposit of eggs. Bakehouses are 

 likewise selected by the crickets on account of the warmth they afford, which 

 seems to be essential to their livelihood, and causing then to chirp right 

 merrily after dark and sometimes even during broard daylight. 



The power and strength of the house cricket is enormous, if man could leap 

 and lift in proportion to his size compared with the cricket, he would be able 

 to jump three miles at one bound and lift two tons in weight. The strength of 

 the jaw for cutting hard substances is wonderful, and comparing the power 

 of this creature with the largest quadruped we shall have to yield the palm 

 to the cricket, who can easily bite holes in hard leather, wood, and stout cloths. 



Crickets, like all other insects, have their enemies, and are troubled with 

 parasites. One parasite is a minute acarus, attacking the thighs and thorax, 

 and soon destroying their vitality. Another curious pest is the intestinal 

 worms, which are so frequently found on dissecting the bodies of crickets ; 

 they vary in length, from one line to two inches, I have heard of one three 

 inches in length. 



A natural enemy to the cricket is the small red ant, and so persecuting is it 

 in its ways that the crickets soon desert their haunts if the ants make their 

 appearance amongst them. 



The utility of the cricket in nature seems to be their power of clearing 

 away the various scraps that get dropped in our kitchens, and falling in the 

 crevices of floors would soon prove a nuisance, and therefore in doing that 

 they are securing for themselves their food, and at the same time rendering 

 man a good service. 



REPORTS OF SOCIETIES. 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OE LONDON. 



Fifty-fifth Anniversary Meeting, January 18, 1888. — Dr. D. Sharp, Presi- 

 dent, in the chair. 



An abstract of the Treasurer's Accounts, showing a balance in the Society's 

 favour, was read by Mr. H. T. Stainton, F.R.S., one of the Auditors; and 

 Mr. H. Goss, one of the Secretaries, read the Report of the Council. 



It was announced that the following gentlemen had been elected as Officers 

 and Council for 1888 '.—President, Dr. David Sharp, M.B., E.Z.S. ; Treas- 

 urer, Mr. Edward Saunders. E.L.S. ; Secretaries, Mr. Herbert Goss, F.L.S., 



