29G 
NATURAL HTSTORY. 
that lives entirely in the woods and fields, yet that with which 
we are best acquainted is the House-cricket , whose voice is 
so well known behind a country lire in a winter’s evening. 
There is something so unusual in hearing a sound while we 
do not see the animal producing it, nor discover the place 
whence it comes, that among the country people the chi rping 
of the cricket is always held ominous ; and whether it de- 
serts the fire-side, or pays tin unexpected visit, the credulous 
peasantry always find something to be afraid of. 
The cricket very much resembles the grasshopper in its 
shape, its manner of ruminating, its voice, its leaping, and 
methods of propagation. X'- differs in its colour, which is 
uniformly of a rusty brown ; in its food, which is more va- 
rious ; and in its place of residence, which is most usually 
in the warmest chinks behind a country hearth. They are, 
in some measure obliged to the bad masonry employed in 
making peasant’s houses for their retreats. The smallest 
chink serves to give them shelter, and where they once make 
their abode they are sure to propagate. They are ol' a most 
chilly nature, seldom leaving the fire-side; and ifundistnrbed, 
are seen to hop from their retreats to chirp at the blaze in the 
chimney. The Wood-cricket is the most timorous animal in 
nature; but the chimney cricket, being used to noises, dis- 
regards them. Whether the voice of this animal is formed 
in the same manner with that of the grasshopper is not yet 
ascertained ; nor do we well know the use of this voice, since 
anatomical inspection has not been able to discover the 
smallest organs of hearing. Still, however, we can make no 
doubt of their power of distinguishing sounds, though pro- 
bably not in the same manner with the more perfect ranks of 
nature. Certain it is, that they have been often heard to call, 
and this call is as regularly answered by another, although 
none but the males are vocal. 
As the cricket lives chiefly in the dark, so its eyes seem 
formed for the gloominess of its abode; and those who 
would surprise it, have only to light a candle unexpectedly 
by which it is dazzled, and cannot find the way back to its 
retreat. It is a very voracious little animal, and will eat 
bread, flour, and meat ; but it is particularly fond of sugar- 
They never drink, but keep for months together at the back 
of the chimney, where they could possibly have had no mois- 
ture. The warmth of their situation only serves to increase 
their mirth and loquacity. 
The great Scaliger was particularly delighted with th e 
chirping of crickets, and kept several of them for hi* 
amusement, enclosed in a box, which he placed in a warm 
