LXXXIX.] OF SELBORNE. 243 
One of these crickets, when confined in a paper cage and set 
in the sun, and supplied with plants moistened witli water, will 
feed and thrive, and become so merry and loud as to be irksome 
in the same room where a person is sitting : if the plants are 
not wetted it will die. 
Selborne. 
LETTER LXXXIX. 
TO THE HONOURABLE DAIXES BAHHTMlToX. 
" Far froui jill resort of mnlli 
Save the cricket on the hearth." 
Milton's 1\ FensiTo^^o. 
"While many other insects must be sought alter in fields, and 
woods, and waters, the Grylliis domesticuSy or house-cricket, 
resides altogether within our dwellings, intruding itself upon 
our notice whether we will or no. This species delights in 
new-built houses, being, like the spider, pleased with the 
moisure of the walls ; and besides, the softness of the mortar 
enables them to barrow and mine between the joints of the 
bricks or stones, and to open communications from one room 
to another. They are particularly fond of kitchens and bakers' 
ovens, on account of their perpetual warmth. 
Tender insects that live abroad either enjoy only the short 
period of one summer, or else dose away the cold uncomfort- 
able months in profound slumbers ; but these, residing as it 
were in a torrid zone, are always alert and merry : a good 
Christmas fire is to them like the heats of the dog-days. 
Though they are frequently heard by day, yet is their natural 
time of motion only in the night. As soon as it grows dusk, 
the chirping increases, and they come running forth, ranging 
from the size of a fiea to that of their full stature. As one 
should suppose, from the burning atmosphere which they 
inhabit, they are a thirsty race, and show a great propensity 
K 2 
