HOUSE- CRICKET. 
223 
woods, and waters, the gryllus domesticus, or house-cricket, re- 
sides altogether within our dweUings, 
intruding itself upon our notice 
whether we will or no. This species 
delights in new-built houses, being, 
like the spider, pleased with the mois- 
ture of the walls; and besides, the 
softness of the mortar enables them to 
burrow and mine between the joints House- cricket, 
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 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 fuU stature. As one should suppose, from the burn- 
ing atmosphere which they inhabit, they are a thirsty race, and 
show a great propensity for liquids, being found frequently 
drowned in pans of water, milk, broth, or the like. Whatever is 
moist they affect ; and therefore often: gnaw holes in wet woollen 
stockings and aprons that are hung to the fire: they are the 
housewife'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 natu- 
rally become the objects of her superMition. These crickets are 
not only very thirsty, 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 
