254 NATURAL HISTORY 
LETTER XLVIL 
TO THE SAME. 
DEAR SIR, 5ELE0RNE, 
" Far from all refort mlrtk 
" Save the cricket on the hearth.** Milton's // Vgnferofi, 
While many other infeds mull be fought after in fields and 
woods, and waters, the gryllus domefticus, or koufe-cricket, refides al- 
together within our dwellings, intruding itfelf upon our notice 
■whether we will or no. This fpecies delights in new-built houfes, 
being, like the fpider, pleafed with the moiflure of the walls ; 
and befides, the foftnefs of the mortar enables them to burrow 
and mine between the joints of the bricks or ftones, and to open 
communications from one room to another. They are particularly 
fond of kitchens and bakers' ovens, on account of their perpe- 
tual warmth. 
Tender infefts that live abroad either enjoy only the fhort 
period of one fummer, or elfe doze away the cold uncom- 
fortable months in profound llumbers ; but thefe, refiding as 
it were in a torrid zone, are always alert and merry : a good 
Chylftmas 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^ foon as it grows dulk, the chirping 
increafes, and they come running forth, and are from the fize of a 
flea to that of their full ftature. As one fliould fuppofe, from the 
burning 
