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NATURAL HISTOEY OF SELBORNE. 
LETTEE XLVIL 
TO THE SAME. 
* ' Far from all resort of mirth 
Save the cricket on the hearth," 
Milton's II Fenseroso. 
Selborne. 
Bear Sir, — While many other insects must be sought after in fields 
and woods, and waters, the gryllus domesticus, 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 moisture of the walls ; and 
besides, the softness of the mortar enables them to burrow 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 
baker's ovens, on account of their perpetual warmth. 
Tender insects that live abroad either enjoy only the short period of 
one summer, or else doze away the cold uncomfortable 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, and are 
from the size of a flea to that of their full stature. As one should 
suppose, from the burning atmosphere which they inhabit, they are a 
thrifty race, and show a great propensity for liquids, being found 
frequently drowned in pans of water, milk, broth, or the like. What- 
ever is moist they affect ; and therefore often gnaw holes in wet woollen 
stockings and aprons that are hung to the fire : they are the house- 
wife's barometer, foretelling her when it will rain, and are prognostic 
sometimes she thinks of ill or good luck, of the death of a near relation, 
or the approach of an absent lover. By being the constant companions 
of her solitary hours they naturally become the objects of her super- 
stition. These crickets are not only very thrifty, but very voracious ; 
for they will eat the scummings of pots, and yeast, salt, and crumbs of 
bread, and any kitchen offal or sweepings. In the summer we have 
observed them to fly when it became dusk out of the windows, and 
over the neighbouring roofs. This feat of activity accounts for the 
sudden manner in which they often leave their haunts, as it does for 
the method by which they come to houses where they were not known 
before. It is remarkable that many sorts of insects seem never to use 
their wings but when they have a mind to shift their quarters and 
settle new colonies. When in the air they move " volatu undosoy' in 
waves or curves, like wood-peckers, opening and shutting their wings at 
every stroke, and so are always rising or sinking. 
When they increase to a great degree, as they did once in the house 
where I am now writing, they become noisome pests, flying into the 
candles, and dashing into people's faces; but may be blasted and 
